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The Million Home

Katie Lister

| March 2, 2010

Downtown Vancouver (3201-938 Nelson St.)

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A Swank Two-Bedroom on the 32nd Floor (938 Nelson St.)

For $999,000 you can get place to call your own in One Wall Centre, a first-class hotel. This building, built in 2001, offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two parking spots and 1,094 sq. ft. Open your curtains to panoramic views of UBC, Stanley Park, the Gulf Islands, and southern views of English Bay, False Creek and Granville Island. At One Wall Centre you will also have access to a car and driver, maid services and room service. Not too shabby.
Three blocks from the Vancouver Art Gallery, numerous shops, an IGA and Joey’s on Burrard, this location has all the convenience and culture of downtown living. It is in the middle of Vancouver’s party district and in between two of the city’s most popular party venues: Celebrities and the Commodore Ballroom. If your lifestyle gets going after dark, it's an ideal location.
Photo: parkrealty.ca

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A Pretty Penthouse in Rustic Gastown (36 Water St.)

This penthouse apartment at 36 Water St. in Gastown is listed for $1,099,000. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two parking stalls and 1,389 sq. ft. Built in 2008, this modern dwelling boasts Bosch kitchen appliances, 10-foot ceilings with floor to ceiling windows, custom built-in storage and an impressive rooftop deck. The deck is over 600 sq. ft. with a custom outdoor kitchen including a fire magic grill, outdoor fridge and sink. There is also a geothermal system in place to heat and cool your home.
This building is part of the Salient Group’s Gastown rejuvenation project and it is right next to all the trendy shops and eats on Trounce Alley that the area is known for, as well as the Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre. It is also only one block away from Vancouver’s downtown eastside: not exactly a PG neighbourhood. Although, sitting pretty up in your own penthouse can seem like miles away.
Photo: thesalientgroup.com

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A Sprawling Manse in North Vancouver (638 East 7th St.)

For $1,089,900 you can move to the North Shore and set up in this three-bedroom, three-bathroom, heritage-style home. With 2,369 sq. ft. and a lot frontage of 50 ft., there is plenty of room to roam. The Queensbury house has an open kitchen with an island and stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, inlaid tiles, a fireplace, and a walk-in closet in the master bedroom. There is also a self-contained guest cottage or garage, for your visiting relatives or Porsche, depending on your needs.
North Vancouver is one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city. This location is close to Keith Road, one of North Van's main streets, so it is easy to get around; but because it is nestled in a block, noise won’t be an issue.
Lonsdale Avenue is only six blocks away, where shopping, food, books, coffee and various services await. The only drawback of living in North Vancouver is if you work in town: crossing either the First or Second Narrows each day is a hassle.
Photo: jimjorgenson.ca

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A Tidy Home Amid Kitsilano Virtues (1992 McNicoll Ave.)

A spot in this three-unit townhouse in a prime area of Kitsilano will set you back $997,000. It has three bedrooms, one bathroom, a private patio, square footage of 1,379 (lot size of 5,775 sq. ft.) with en-suite laundry and pets welcome (the dog park is only steps away and it is Kitsilano after all). The townhouse was built in 1984 and was completely renovated in 2003 with a new kitchen, bathroom and flooring. There is also a gas fireplace for those rainy nights, one parking stall and a storage locker if needed.
You can walk outside your door and the beach will be beckoning to you; as is Vanier Park, the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the HR Macmillan Space Centre (laser show, anyone?). This location is also ten minutes from downtown Vancouver and a two-minute walk to the Aquabus. The nearest grocery stores are Capers and Safeway on 4th Avenue and Arbutus, which are a tad far unless you have a vehicle or very strong arms. Other than that, you and your dog are set.
Photo: martyhomes.com

A Kelowna Estate with View (1591 Golden View Dr.)

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A Kelowna Estate with a View (1591 Golden View Dr.)

For $998,800 you can own this rancher-style home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms set on half and acre in a quiet, family-friendly cul-de-sac. Built in 2001 and renovated in 2009, the home now contains Brazilian cherry floors and high-end custom cabinetry throughout. There are also two gas fireplaces, a gas stove, central air conditioning and parking for your boat (why not?). The finished area of the home is 3,738 sq. ft.
Golden View Drive is located on the West side of Okanagan Lake in the Mission Hill Winery area of Kelowna; with nearby street names such as Merlot Drive and Chardonnay Place, you have an idea of who your new neighbours are and what new your hobby will be. The house is only a few minutes’ drive to the wineries, golf courses, shopping of all kinds and the beach. There are also plenty of schools and parks in the community.
janehoffman.com

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Huge Home, and Views, in White Rock (983 Lee St.)

This White Rock luxury home, built in 1996, costs $1,099,000. Its 6,188 sq. ft. includes five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms: space for the entire family. It boasts an open upper floor plan with a large deck, plus decks off of the bedrooms, a double-sided fireplace in the living room and panoramic 180-degree views can be seen of Mt. Baker and Semiahmoo Bay.
This Lee Street location is two blocks up from the beach and Semiahmoo Park where people gather for walks and picnicking when the sun is out. It is also a few blocks from Georgie’s Bar & Grill as well as Sideshow’s West Coast Grill. Peace Arch Hospital is a five minute drive away as is Body Essentials Day Spa when you need to relax and rejuvenate.
White Rock is known to be a very family-oriented and peaceful community and this has probably direct relation to the area being so far from downtown. Unfortunately, if you work in town, your drive will be almost an hour to get there and nearly two hours by transit. In fact, this home is actually closer to the United States border than downtown Vancouver.
Photo: ronwiseman.remax.ca

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Six Fresh Bedrooms in Sleepy Victoria (1684 Chandler Ave.)

For $1,248,888 you can own this 2008 home in the pleasant, residential community of Fairfield, with six bedrooms and four bathrooms all in 3,339 sq. ft. There is a two-car garage, two large cedar decks with a gas outlet for heaters or a barbeque, custom cherry kitchen cabinets with dark granite counters and a pantry in the kitchen area, plus European tiles. And in traditional fashion, the ceilings are coffered with wainscoting and crown moulding.
This tree-lined street in an unblemished neighbourhood is close to Margaret Jenkins School and Oak Bay High School as well as Fairfield Plaza, Thrifty Foods and the Ross Bay Pub. This area is made for pet lovers: Hollywood Pet Centre, Hollywood Pet Hospital and Suds N Scissors Pet Salon are all within a block of the house.
Fairfield features the historic Ross Bay Cemetery, as well as many heritage buildings dating from the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. This home is also located within walking distance of the beach and Dallas Road and only a seven-minute drive or less into downtown Victoria.
Photo: lesleefarrell.com

THE CONTRIBUTOR

Katie Lister is a freelance journalist based in Vancouver. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Granville, Canadian Traveller, and Examiner.com.