Altus 1526 Finlay Street White Rock 126 homes in a 13 storey building by Oviedo Properties Ltd
Altus homes in White Rock highlight views of the ocean and mountains
Michael Bernard
The Province
Sometimes you have to have patient money to end up with the best of all worlds, even in a highly desirable place like the popular seaside community of White Rock. Kanwar Dhamrait spent six years assembling a parcel of seven former single-family home lots adjacent to Peace Arch Hospital and he’s glad he did.
The payoff for those who buy homes in Altus, a 13-storey concrete highrise that Dhamrait is building on Finlay Street, is that they will have some of the most coveted views of Semiahmoo Bay while residing just steps away from shops and other amenities in the town centre.
“We designed the building very carefully so that we could capture both the ocean and mountain views,” said Dhamrait, who trained as a structural engineer before becoming CEO of Oviedo Properties Ltd.
Project architect Chris Dikeakos said the building site is particularly desirable because it is on a high point in the community and the firm capitalized on that.
“We did a couple of things. We staggered the building both in plan and elevation views so that as many units as possible would get water views. We also made sure the buildings related to the heights of the other surrounding buildings, including the hospital.”
The result is an attractive, modern West Coast style with a mix of natural stone and high-performance glass. The layout includes terracing on the front side for the views that also provides more room for rooftop patios and green spaces on the top of the building.
Another unusual feature, especially for a building by Dikeakos, whose firm is best known for its high-rise designs, is the inclusion of retail and professional space on the building’s first two levels. There is more than 45,000 square feet devoted largely to medical professionals who will be situated just across the street from the 146-bed acute care hospital operated by Fraser Health. “I think it is a good fit for the neighbourhood.” As well, about 3,500 square feet is being dedicated to a children’s daycare centre.
Dhamrait says he expects Altus will appeal to both downsizers wanting to shed the burden of a single-family home, and to upsizers looking for more space in condo living in a building where square footage is generous by most Metro Vancouver standards. A majority of the homes in Altus are two bedroom and two bedroom and den and range from about 900 to 1,300 square feet. There are also three-bedroom-and-den homes ranging from 1,350 square feet and penthouses of up to almost 2,800 square feet.
BAM Interiors provided two colour schemes: “Seashell” with a range of light colours in natural finishes and “Marqina” a dark palette with rich colour finishes. All homes have engineered hardwood flooring through the dining, living, den and bedroom areas.
The kitchens feature wood-grain upper cabinets complemented by high-gloss lower cabinetry with easy pull edges for a sleek no-hardware look. In the island, a bookshelf and wine rack in most units and custom millwork for panelled fridge and dishwasher, and durable engineered quartz countertops. Homes come with Bosch appliance packages, including a 36-inch custom panel bottom freezer fridge, 30-inch stainless steel gas cooktop, a 30-inch combination speed oven and a Marvel wide fridge in most units.
Bathrooms have a custom vanity with high gloss and wood-grain finish, LED lighted cosmetic mirror on the medicine cabinet in the ensuite and a frameless glass shower and tub enclosure. Second bathrooms have a convenient open shelf. There is a modern rainfall shower in the main bathroom with a hand-held shower in the ensuite.
All homes come with Energy Star washer and dryer by Whirlpool, contained in a laundry room in most units. There is a closet organizer in the master bedroom as well as in the entry closet. Windows come equipped with roller shades.
The building has a large amenity area that is two storeys high. It includes a state-of-the-art gym, a lounge with pool table and an expansive kitchen and dining area with a large white porcelain fireplace. Attached is a resort style terrace with outdoor seating and an open lawn area. Also available is a one-bedroom guest suite for guests.
For the six penthouse owners, there is a dedicated entertainment area with a kitchen and dining area and a double-sided fireplace. Outside are tables with built-in fireplaces and commercial quality BBQs.
In the underground parking there are two parking spaces for each suite, a dog wash area, and secure bike storage lockers. At ground level, there will be a concierge to receive mail and packages and a temperature-controlled food storage area.
Altus, White Rock
Project address: 1526 Finlay St., White Rock
Project scale: A total of 126 homes in a 13-storey concrete building with one bedroom and den through three-bedroom and den units, ranging in size from 872 sq. ft. to 2,776 sq. ft., with retail and medical/professional offices and a daycare on the first two floors. More than 3,000 sq. ft. in a two-storey multi-purpose amenity space for residents. Easy walking distance to shops and services, restaurants and White Rock pier.
Prices: Homes from $760,900 to $2,620,900
Developer: Oviedo Properties Ltd.
Architect: Chris Dikeakos Architects
Interior Design: BAM Interiors
Construction: Robert Bosa – Quorum Group
Sales centre: 1589 Maple St., White Rock
Centre hours: By appointment only
Sales phone: (778) 294-7794
Website: http://www.AltusWhiteRock.com
Completion date: Spring 2022
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