Stately neighbourhood inspires design of Shaughnessy's Chateau Laurier
Credit to Author: Mary Beth Roberts| Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 14:15:23 +0000
Shaughnessy, Vancouver’s original posh neighbourhood, has its roots in the development of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Canada’s first transcontinental railway. In fact, it was named after Thomas Shaughnessy, one of the railway’s presidents. Just two decades after the last of 30 million iron spikes was hammered into place, the CPR was developing a new expensive enclave for the aristocracy of Vancouver’s business community.
So it’s no surprise that the design style of the just-completed Chateau Laurier, a four-storey collection of 11 homes at Laurier and Oak streets, would take its cue from the enormous and stately European-inspired homes of Shaughnessy. The Laurier’s classic features— from the stone cladding and elegant columns to the graceful arches of its large windows—were also seen by the building’s architects as perhaps one way to entice current Shaughnessy residents to stay on where they had raised their families.
“These are large size suites,” says architect Bryce Rositch. “We don’t often get to design buildings with suites that are this large.”
Architect Bryce Rositch said one of the first questions the firm asked itself was: “‘What is the best way of encouraging people who currently live in Shaughnessy, who have a $7 million to $12 million house, and kids who have left, to stay in the neighbourhood?’ That is why we went with the very classic approach to the architecture.”
But there are other reasons that keep people in their neighbourhoods. A Gallup Organization survey of 20,000 Americans, for instance, found that most people preferred to stay where they had raised a family. They also put at the top of their reasons for staying things such as social relationships, quality of place, the ability to meet people and make friends and physical beauty. It’s why Rositch expects that the nearby location of social amenities like the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club, and the Arbutus and Jericho recreation clubs is an important factor that local buyers would find attractive.
The homes also have another major drawing card—ample living space to match the roominess of larger single family houses. It’s something that potential buyers are quick to comment on when they tour the homes, says Looby Qian, marketing manager for the developer, Landa Global Properties. The smallest home, a two-bedroom unit on the ground floor, measures 1,450 square feet, while the average size of the remaining five is about 2,000 square feet. The penthouses’ wrap-around balconies, with views of the North Shore mountains and Queen Elizabeth Park, measure 2,000 square feet each, including covered space with provision for a hot tub, outdoor fireplace and a barbecue.
There is enough room for each of the three-bedroom homes at Chateau Laurier to have separate ensuite bathrooms plus a powder room.
“These are large size suites,” says Rositch. “We don’t often get to design buildings with suites that are this large.” For instance, the islands in the larger kitchens are huge by most condo standards, measuring 10 feet long by four feet wide. There is enough room for each of the three-bedroom homes to have separate ensuite bathrooms plus a powder room. The space also allows for a dedicated laundry room with sink, cupboards and storage space and full-size stacked Samsung washer and dryer. The den can also be used as an office space or—as in the one penthouse available for sale—a media room.
The kitchens come equipped with premium appliances: a Wolf six-burner gas range, a 24-inch Wolf microwave, a 36-inch integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator, and a 24-inch Asko integrated dishwasher. Also included is a 24-inch Marvel wine fridge. The cabinetry is white lacquer with a piano finish while countertops are in matching Wonder Grey quartzite, offset by an elegant glass backsplash. A Blanco undermount kitchen sink with garburator is complemented by a Hansgrohe chrome faucet.
The kitchens at Chateau Laurier come equipped with premium appliances: a Wolf six-burner gas range, a 24-inch Wolf microwave, a 36-inch integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator and a 24-inch Asko integrated dishwasher.
Throughout the homes is wide-plank engineered hardwood flooring. Featured in the living room is a chateau-inspired fireplace with a sculpted mantle and an electric flame. The expansive main entry and all of the bedrooms have built-in, custom-designed closet systems. Master ensuites have dual-vanity cabinetry with Caesarstone countertops, free standing shower tub with Brizo tub filler, Toto smart toilet with integrated washlet, and marble flooring and wall tiles. Medicine cabinets have mirrors, shelves and built-in lighting.
All of the bedrooms at Chateau Laurier have built-in, custom-designed closet systems.
Each of the homes has dedicated private parking for at least two cars, space that is segregated from the common parking and visitor space. The homes also come with a Bang and Olufsen smart home system for controlling everything from lighting levels to integrated controls for air conditioning and home heating. The company, best known for its high-end stereo systems (which can be added in), puts those controls on a tablet that is docked in a wall-fitting in the main entrance. Nearby is a powder room with an elegant herringbone flooring tile and Venetian palace wallpaper, reminiscent of the bathrooms of days gone by.
Project address: 1009 Laurier, Vancouver
Project Scope: The release of the final six of 11 homes in a four-storey concrete condominium in the historic Shaughnessy neighbourhood: one two-bedroom home on the ground floor and five three-bedroom and den homes, ranging in size from 1,450-2,050 sq. ft. Rendered in classic architecture, including extensive use of limestone and marble on the exterior and interiors. Close to the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club, two of Vancouver’s exclusive private schools, restaurants and designer boutiques.
Price: From $2.48 million
Developer: Landa Global Properties
Architect: Rositch Hemphill & Associates Architects
Interior Design: Sublime Interior Design
Sales Centre: 1009 Laurier Ave., Vancouver
Centre Hours: By appointment
Sales Phone: 604-559-8181
Website:chateau-laurier.ca
Completed: December 2019
Homes at Chateau Laurier have wide-plank engineered hardwood flooring.
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