Hollyburn Mews Update as of September 7 2011

I am pleased to report that good progress continues to be made on my Hollyburn Mews 'infill' project on Esquimalt Avenue, next to the Community Centre in West Vancouver. We have now selected a contractor, Trasolini Chetner who is well known in Vancouver for its construction of high quality single family and multi family homes. More information about past projects can be found at http://www.blogger.com/www.traschet.com

I am also pleased to announce that the project will be financed by the North Shore Credit Union. It of course is well known to all North Shore residents for its community focus which is one of the reasons why it wanted to be involved with this neighbourhood project.

We are now in the process of finalizing the Disclosure Statement, without which we cannot begin the sales program. The pricing of the individual homes is also underway by Elaine Biggan and Tony Breen of Prudential Sussex who will be handling the sales for me.

The warranty provider will be WBI, an affiliated company of Wilson M Beck Insurance Services, a leader in the construction insurance and bonding industry in BC. The warranty will be fully underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Co of Canada.

There are two types of units available for sale: a coach house of approximately 18oo square feet which includes two levels plus a full finished basement; and a duplex of approximately 2170 square feet also with two levels and finished basement. Each home will have two 'master bedrooms' each with its own ensuite bathroom. The main level will have a large open kitchen dining living area and powder room. The basement level will be configured to suit each buyer, with space for a media or 'recreation' room, office,and/or storage and mechanical space/workshop area and small wine cellar.

Although we are not yet in a position to start selling, a list of individuals interested in purchasing a home at Hollyburn Mews is now being compiled. If you would like to be on the list, please email me.

From my discussions with potential purchasers, it is evident that there is a strong demand for well designed, new ground oriented housing in West Vancouver catering to those who would like to 'downsize' but not 'downgrade'. Currently there are no other comparable developments underway. It is unfortunate that I am only building nine duplexes and coach houses, since one duplex is already reserved for Joel Slone, the builder who started this imaginative development five years ago, and another larger duplex is also on reserve.

Everyone wants to know when construction will get underway. Unfortunately, the timing is now in the hands of the very busy West Vancouver Building Department. However, our Building Permit drawings have been submitted, and I am hopeful that a permit will soon be issued to allow the orderly 'deconstruction' and demolition of the houses and site preparation, to be followed by permits to allow the excavation and construction. All being well, work will be underway this fall and the homes will be completed and ready for occupancy by Christmas 2012.

For more details and regular updates watch this space, or contact me at geller@sfu.ca.