Gibsons Development - Island Vista

[Skook]

May 22, 2013 Update:

I’ve been thinking about this development since posting above wondering why hasn't even one unit sold since those two sales in 2011. I think I might have the answer and that prompted me to take a look at Google Earth and Google’s streetview map. Now, I first need to mention that I erred in my post above; it was not this development that I noticed going in back in 2009 but a nearby development only a stone’s throw away - Islandview Lanes; I will briefly mention that development later in the post. However, it is Island Vista that I have been following the last few months,

So, let’s take a closer look at Island Vista's location which I have indicated on the Google Earth shot (2009) below including also that Google map from the previous post.

I am again showing below the elevation image for the development. The front of the townhouses (bottom row, left) face the oceanview and the back of the townhouses face that view shown in the construction site pic at the right (2011 Google streetview). Okay, where are the balconies for most of those townhouses? You got it - at the back! At the front, the architect chose to go with those ridiculous ‘Juliet’ balconies to prevent you from falling to the ground when you stand at your open sliding door. Brilliant. Those that bought the end units do get additional small side balconies enabling them to sit outside and view the ocean.

No doubt about it, these are definitely ‘New York Brownstone Inspired’ with that flat, storied façade. What a pity the architect chose to look to an American city for inspiration. If he/she had turned east to a major Canadian city for ‘Red Brick’ inspiration maybe more of these townhomes might have sold. The Canadian city I am thinking of is well noted for particular architectural elements: front façade balconies and porches.

Do you know what city this is? Here’s a hint: poutine and smoked meat.

If you’re thinking Montréal, bravo! I lived five years in that city which is why it came to my mind as I kept thinking about Island Vista and those silly ‘Juliet’ balconies. Damn, why do we keep turning to the States for ‘inspiration’ when this country of ours has so much to offer? Near a friend’s house in Edmonton, all the homes in a new subdivision were stuccoed and some were actually pink! Oh, let me guess - ‘California Pink Stucco Inspired’? Isn’t that so appropriate for a Canadian prairie winter! Those duplexes and townhomes pictured above are in the Outremont district which I believe is where Justin Trudeau and his young family have settled and is an area popular with the city’s French intellectual elite.

Well, maybe one west coast architect stayed in Canada for inspiration. Here is that nearby development, Islandview Lanes, and those townhomes on the left that head up the lane into the complex all have useable façade balconies - mind you, the design could have gone one step further and covered them so you wouldn’t bake in the sun or get soaked when it rains. Oh well, at least you can stand or sit in a chair on them and take in a bit of that oceanview.

For a final pic, I want to show that in Montréal you don’t have to be wealthy or an intellectual to get your balcony. Here’s a typical street near the city’s core. Vive Québec architecture!