West Coast Contemporary Homes are built with a connection to their sites and surroundings. These are modern buildings that respond to the climate, terrain and rainforest setting in which they were designed.
From July 5 to 10, the West Vancouver Art Museum presents a series of events and a Home Tour celebrating this distinct architectural style. Two short films, a panel discussion and more are also planned.
Evelyn
Located on the top of Sentinel Hill above Park Royal in West Vancouver, Evelyn is a master-planned community that will feature modern single family private homes and garden townhomes. It is being developed by Onni Group, one of North America’s leading private real estate developers with extensive experience designing, developing, building and managing innovative projects.
Designed to follow the principles of West Coast modernism, the architectural design at Evelyn uses raw materials that embrace the landscape surrounding it. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and terraces cascade down the mountainside, allowing residents to enjoy the views of nature and wildlife in an unparalleled setting.
A blend of West Coast natural elements, stone and slate, are incorporated throughout the site’s landscaping, which includes heritage trees, tranquil gardens and water features as well as two convenient footpaths that link residents to Park Royal. The site’s urban expression is complemented by a selection of urban amenities, personal services and shopping, all within walking distance.
The 105 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences in the first phase at Evelyn will feature a range of layouts to suit the tastes of all homeowners, from open-plan studios with private south facing terraces that provide panoramic views to grand family room residences featuring oversized north-facing balconies and private rooftop terraces with landscaped framed edges. Orientation of homes, floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces ensure that all homeowners have a seamless connection with the environment and are able to enjoy indoor-outdoor living in every aspect of their lives.
This is the type of lifestyle that is perfect for Evelyn, where homeowners are able to live in close proximity to all of the amazing West Vancouver attractions and amenities while enjoying the convenience of a quiet setting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With easy access to the Lions Gate Bridge, ferries and highways, you are never far from what you need or want.
James and Mary Spack moved into their 1,500-square-foot home at Evelyn a year and a half ago, after relocating from Richmond. The couple had been looking to replace their condo with a modern, spacious residence that was both contemporary and traditional in style and could accommodate their lifestyle. When they saw the Cliffside floor plan at Evelyn, which features a large open south-facing balcony that overlooks the Lions Gate Bridge and downtown Vancouver, they knew it was the right fit for them.
The Residences
Bucolic West Vancouver, with its gorgeous cliff faces and oceanfront views, has long been home to a wealth of mid-century modern design. It is also the site of the West Vancouver Art Museum, which has long been an advocate for preserving and showcasing this unique architectural legacy.
The museum is at the forefront of a new movement to preserve this style, which became known as West Coast Modern. This year, they are hosting their annual modern home tour, which celebrates the best of West Vancouver’s most stylish homes.
This is an incredibly rare opportunity for architecture buffs and design enthusiasts to get up close and personal with five of the area’s most iconic residences. The tour – which will be hosted by the West Vancouver Museum in partnership with British Pacific Properties – is designed to educate and entertain visitors.
A tour guide will be on hand at each stop, as well as an assistant curator from the museum who will provide a brief overview of the history of each property and answer questions. Participants can choose to join the tour on a bus hired by the museum, or explore each of the five houses on their own.
The home tour has been going on since 2007, and it features the best of West Vancouver’s most stylish mid-century modern residences. Among this year’s highlights were the 1939 Thornton residence, an art deco gem on Caulfeild Cove that has been updated with a modern kitchen; and the Neoteric Residence, a 1950 Fred Hollingsworth original on a sprawling, landscaped lot in British Properties that demonstrates the best of the era’s mid-century style and modernist flair. Lastly, the most laudable of all is the 1965 Beaton residence, an Arthur Mudry-designed ode to West Coast modernism that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor on a sprawling acre of Cliffside beachfront in Whytecliff.
The Townhouses
West Vancouver is one of the most prestigious places in Canada to find a home. The area is a highly sought-after destination by locals and tourists alike, offering picturesque scenery, a peaceful setting and safe neighbourhoods to live in. Whether you’re looking to buy a luxury condominium or a townhouse, you’ll find plenty of stunning homes on MLS(r) in this region.
The city’s enviable location, coupled with its rich history of architecture, has been known to attract potential homeowners from all over the country. If you’re in the market for a new luxury home, you’ll find lots of contemporary homes for sale in West Vancouver on MLS(r) ranging from waterfront residences to condos and townhouses.
Besides the plethora of luxury properties in West Vancouver, the city also boasts a number of museums and other cultural attractions. You can get a taste of the local arts scene by visiting the West Vancouver Museum, which hosts an ever-rotating program of expertly-curated exhibitions. Alternatively, you can visit the Spirit Gallery or Ferry Building Gallery.
If you’re looking for a place to stay with the family, try a vacation rental in or near West Vancouver. The city is a popular tourist destination in the summer, so you may want to consider a rental during that time of year.
You’ll find plenty of large family-friendly options in the city, and many of them are perfect for groups looking to explore the area. For example, “Spectacular Water View House” is a great option for a group of up to 18 guests. It offers 8 bedrooms and is located about 3 miles to the east of the center of West Vancouver.
Its scenic location makes it an excellent choice for families with children, and the property offers plenty of room for everyone to spread out. You’ll also find a number of great amenities, including a garden and a firepit.
If you’re interested in a luxury home for sale in West Vancouver, the best way to find the perfect spot is to work with a real estate agent who knows the area well. They’ll be able to help you find a home that meets all your needs and exceeds all of your expectations.
The Apartments
The Apartments is one of the most recognizable landmarks in West Vancouver. It’s a surprisingly opulent and high-tech complex designed by the city’s top notch architectural firm, Tilson. In addition to luxury residences, the complex also features a state-of-the-art gym, a spa and more.
The apartments themselves boast some dazzling features including floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek exteriors, and high-end finishes. A well-designed lobby is the star of the show, and a large terrace is a great spot to grab a cocktail or take in the view.
You’ll want to check out the opulent suites at this complex for a taste of modern living in one of Vancouver’s most desirable neighborhoods. These units have some of the best views in town and are a steal at this price point.
This opulent abode features several of the latest technologies and features to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, from the kitchen to the bathrooms and beyond. Among the most notable are the smart home technologies, which help control your appliances and lights from your mobile device.
Aside from its modern amenities, the property’s main draw is the spectacular view of downtown Vancouver and the sea. This vantage point is complemented by the home’s signature feature, a spectacular rooftop deck that can be used in all sorts of ways.
The name of the game when it comes to choosing the best West Vancouver vacation rental for your family is to keep your travel plans flexible. This means you can book the perfect getaway for you and your loved ones at any time of year.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.