We have been so fortunate to produce real estate video tours of some of Vancouver’s most interesting and unique homes. In a previous post, Modern Condos In Vancouver, I wrote about the video we produced for Jim Noonan of Macdonald Realty for ROAR_one in Point Grey. Last week Andrew Hasman asked us to produce a real estate video tour for CHOKLIT, 1174 West 7th Avenue, an Arthur Erickson designed concrete building that houses 3 unique and exclusive residences. The Fairview Slopes home was incredibly spacious, with 30 foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and a huge roof-top deck. The views of downtown Vancouver were as spectacular as they get. After filming such an incredible home, I am looking forward to seeing the new Concord Pacific luxury condo, The Erickson, also designed by Arthur Erickson. The tower twists as it rises skyward. It is really a striking design. I am interested in how he will be applying his design philosophies, providing a modern urban experience with a european influenced neighbourhood feel, to a tower.

Please have a look at the video for CHOKLIT.

I have lived in Vancouver for a year now. I am still enamoured with the city as I was that first sunny day last February. But I am mystified by the urban decay that exists in the corridor between Gastown and Chinatown. One of our first video shoots was for a unique loft space on Water Street. I remember thinking how interesting Gastown was, refreshingly different than the rest of Vancouver. Still to this day, I am drawn by the narrow streets, the brick-lined roads and the unique loft spaces that are symbolic of Gastown.

Can the Woodward’s development (www.woodwardsdistrict.com) revitalize Gastown and the surrounding area? According to the City of Vancouver Website (www.city.vancouver.bc.ca), “the redevelopment of the Woodward’s building is, both practically and symbolically, key to the revitalization of the Downtown Eastside.” Units at Woodward’s became available at what is now seen as the peak of the real estate frenzy in Vancouver. All 536 units were sold in 1 day. The 2 residential towers that consist of the Woodward’s project are expected to be complete in December 2009, shortly before Vancouver hosts the Winter Olympics.

Here is a video montage of the demolition of the Woodward’s building last September from the City of Vancouver Website