Wren + Raven 31896 Raven Avenue Mission 60 homes in phase 1, 130 total in development by Elevate Development
Wren + Raven key to a new gateway to Mission
Kathleen Freimond
The Vancouver Sun
The first market condo project in Mission in many years, Elevate Development Corp.’s mid-rise Wren + Raven is part of the transformation of a 12-acre site that is slated to be a new gateway to the town.
The site, bounded by Lougheed Highway to the south, Wren Street to the east and Raven Street to the north, will comprise 130 homes in two six-storey buildings and Outlook Village, a mixed-use complex that will front Lougheed with retail and office space and will be the future home of a Gateway Casino.
The site is part of a larger 33-acre property owned by Elevate Development, says company president Gordon MacPherson. Seventeen acres of forested land will be protected as dedicated green space and the company may develop the remainder of the space in the future. The green space is immediately to the west of Wren + Raven and will enable residents standing on their patios to enjoy the view of the forest.
Construction of Outlook Village is scheduled for later this year, while the residential component could start in late 2020, MacPherson says.
Landscaping features like paths and plazas – plus a glass elevator between the two residential buildings – will connect Wren + Raven residents to the commercial areas and shops and services in Outlook Village.
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Easy access to the highway and the West Coast Express commuter rail service that connects Mission with downtown Vancouver enhances the location, but MacPherson says it is the local amenities and lifestyle options that are the strongest draw.
“It’s a beautiful community,” he says. “Being on the Fraser River, there are great hiking paths, there’s mountain biking, a nearby bird sanctuary and it’s close to Sasquatch Mountain.”
The project’s site map at the sales centre at 7291 Wren Street in Mission also shows the proximity of the Mission Golf and Country Club, Mission Arena, SilverCity Cinemas and Mission Raceway Park.
Designed by Atelier Pacific Architecture, Wren + Raven will have amenities that include a gym, outdoor hot tub, workshop, pet washing station, a lounge area and social gathering spaces, as well as children’s playgrounds.
The first phase of 60 units includes one-, two- and three-bedroom condos ranging in size from 433 to 1,113 square feet. MacPherson anticipates the smaller units will appeal to first-time buyers, while the larger units will attract downsizers and empty-nesters.
The interior design is inspired by the Fraser River and the natural textures in the environment around the development, says Christine Bauhaus, senior interior designer at Portico Design Group.
Potential buyers can choose from two colour schemes: Plume (light) and Corvus (dark). The show suite displays the darker palette.
“It is an approachable design that feels comfortable for families and couples of all ages, but incorporates some urban elements to bring something a little special to the table as well,” says Bauhaus, noting the textural wood grains, black Brizo kitchen faucet, pendant lights above the peninsulas, stainless steel double sink with a lowered divider, as well as low-maintenance materials such as laminate flooring and smooth, easy-to-clean tiles in the bathrooms.
In the kitchen, cabinetry in the Corvus scheme – Latin for raven – features a straight grain wood look on the upper cabinets with a medium grey cabinet on the lowers and a light concrete-grey quartz countertop, complemented by the stone-look porcelain tile backsplash. The Corvus palette includes rich graphite coloured wood-look laminate flooring throughout the unit (except the bathrooms). Hidden finger pulls on upper cabinets and chrome pulls on the lower cabinets enhance the clean lines in the kitchen while the black matte light fixture with Edison bulbs above in the dining area introduces a distinctly modern element.
The lighter Plume scheme features white upper cabinets and straight grain wood-look lower cabinets with a white quartz countertop in the kitchen. The glossy texture of the light grey backsplash tile is a contrast to the white cabinets and white counter, Bauhaus says. The laminate flooring in this colour scheme is a soft oak tone.
In the darker Corvus scheme, the ensuite bathroom floor tile has a soft river-washed sand texture in a soft grey that is laid from the floor up and on to the shower walls, Bauhaus says. In the light Plume scheme, the ensuite floor tile, laid in the same design, is an off white. Chrome Hans Grohe faucets and shower fixtures add a little sparkle to the bathrooms where floating-look vanities contribute to a spa-like ambience.
The major kitchen appliances are by Samsung and include a refrigerator with french doors, a 30-inch gas range, dishwasher and full-size front-load washer and dryer.
At the sales centre, look out for Bauhaus’s favourite design feature: the medicine cabinet in the main bathroom that slides out to the side from behind the mirror.
“It’s a bit of a fun hidden feature that allows for lots of storage that is easily accessible, yet tucked away,” she says.
Wren + Raven will be accessed from Raven Street and all units have parking with lock-up storage.
Wren + Raven
Project address: 31896 Raven Avenue, Mission
Developer: Elevate Development Corp.
Architect: Atelier Pacific Architect Inc.
Interior designer: Portico Design Group
Project size: Phase 1: 60 units (total development 130 units)
Bedrooms: 1, 2, 3 bedrooms
Unit size: 433 – 1,113 square feet
Price: From $239,900
Sales centre: 7291 Wren Street, Mission
Sales centre hours: noon to 5 p.m., Sat — Thurs
Phone: 604-287-3000
Website: wrmission.com
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