Design on display at ERA development in Maple Ridge
Credit to Author: Mary Beth Roberts| Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2019 14:16:32 +0000
Country meets urban in the architectural design of the first phase of ERA, Johnston Meier and SwissReal Developments’ master-planned community set to transform downtown Maple Ridge.
Peter Hildebrand, principal at Iredale Architecture, says the location of Maple Ridge in the Lower Mainland—between the dense urban environment of Vancouver and the more rural settings found in the Fraser Valley—influenced the architecture of the first of seven phases in the development.
The big, bright kitchens at ERA in Maple Ridge feature Italian-inspired cabinetry, black matte faucets and stainless steel appliances.
Softer lines, more space between the buildings and landscaping that will encourage neighbours to mingle are hallmarks of the initial phase bounded by Plaza Street, Brown Avenue and Dewdney Trunk Road. And although the first phase of the development will have its own esthetic, Hildebrand says there will be some architectural consistency to ensure a cohesive look throughout the seven phases of the project.
The build-out of the entire community on the almost eight-acre site will take about 10 years. Construction of the first phase of condos and city homes is scheduled to start later this year with homeowners expected to move in after completion in two years, says Jeremy Towning, vice-president of SwissReal.
The ensuite boasts a vanity with double sinks, a separate glass-enclosed shower and on-trend matte-black hardware.
The initial phase includes 143 homes for potential buyers (and 49 for renters), comprising condos in the six-storey north and five-storey south buildings with 30 city homes in the centre of the first-phase site.
Amenities in this phase will include a playground and rooftop terraces on the north and south buildings. The north building also features an indoor social space connected to the terrace with a kitchenette and dining area, while the south building will include a gym. In addition, the south building, on Dewdney Trunk Road and Plaza Street, will include retail units to provide residents with local shops and services.
The artist’s rendition of the project captures the essence of ERA as a welcoming community that makes the most of its rural and urban attractions.
For the interiors, Megan Bennett of Megan Bennett Design created two colour palettes—light and dark—and selected colours and materials to stand the test of time and appeal to buyers with a range of design sensibilities from traditional to contemporary.
“The interiors are designed to be universally appealing. When people move in, they can decide on their own touches and furnishings to make the space their own,” she says.
In the show suite (plan D2) at the sales centre at 22351 Dewdney Trunk Road, the open-concept living space is anchored by a large kitchen and peninsula that accommodates a double stainless-steel sink with a black matte faucet and the dishwasher. Italian-inspired cabinetry (white for the light scheme and grey for the darker palette) features Shaker-style doors with a finer-than-usual rail of 1 ½ inches compared to the standard 2 ½ inches. The countertops for both schemes are marble-look quartz, while the backsplash features an enduring favourite, classic subway tile, but laid vertically to introduce an unexpected design element to the space.
The main bedroom’s walk-in closet leads into the ensuite bathroom.
In the dining area, look out for a built-in hutch, an optional upgrade. Styled as a coffee station, it could also double as a bar while adding always-important extra storage space.
A walk-through closet from the main bedroom leads to the ensuite where black matte, first introduced in the kitchen, is prominent. Plumbing fittings and hardware in black matte complement the frame around the mirror and the lighting fixtures in the accent colour. A vanity with double sinks, a toilet, bathtub and a separate shower with glass enclosure make for a stylish and functional space.
Towning anticipates buyers of homes in the initial phase will be a mix of first-time buyers and downsizers.
ERA is conveniently located in Maple Ridge and is close to City Hall, the library and a leisure centre. Residents travelling to Vancouver can take the West Coast Express from Port Haney station, and the B-Line bus service connects commuters with the Coquitlam SkyTrain station.