Young buyers are The Main?s target
Mary Frances Hill
The Province
The Main
Where: 37881 Cleveland Ave., Squamish
Project size: 110 residential units over commercial space
Residence sizes and prices: one and two bedrooms, 428 to 1,158 square feet, priced between $219,900 and $597,900
Developer: Gravitas
Sales centre: 1416 Winnipeg St., Squamish
Hours: noon— 5 p.m., Sat — Thurs
The cost of purchasing a new condominium in Metro Vancouver means many younger buyers are left on the sidelines. That in mind, developer Gravitas and designer Ian Wong of Lot 30 Design Co., are appealing to this demographic at The Main Squamish condo project, where homes start at under $220,000.
Gravitas looks to what it calls the “young, adventurous, entrepreneurial and community-minded” demographic in its marketing of The Main, and Lot 30 Design considered the specific needs of this group in its design work.
Wong said it’s vital that he didn’t skimp on quality in the homes, which range from 428 to 1,158 square feet, so he made the most of the higher-end materials, although in smaller quantities.
“A lot of the time, we cannot use expensive materials because of budget constraints. In cases like these, we limit expensive material to small quantities at eye-catching locations so it’ll give a big impact,” he says. ”Other times, we use inexpensive materials in an atypical way so the result still look fresh.”
Keeping the décor and finishes simple and elegant could be as easy as limiting colours and shades to a defined palette, while adding subtle contrasts in tone.
In the kitchen, finishes are neutral, though visitors will notice a difference in shade between the wood cabinetry, floors and upper cabinetry.
Kitchens have wood-grain laminate for lower cabinets and high-gloss finish for upper cabinets with soft-close hardware.
“We always like to have a slight contrast in colour and texture. It gives the space some definition, but yet still reads as one.”
Wong and Lot 30 Design also try to show visitors that space shouldn’t define lifestyle. He suggests that a den could be converted into what he calls an “outdoor gallery” highlighting the outdoor activities that the area is known for.
“I think using the den as an outdoor gallery has given this demographic of buyers an opportunity to see what they can do with the space,” he says. “Also the other room, the library, can easily turn into a home office for start-up entrepreneur.”
Though Lot 30 Design works with larger developers and on the design of private residences, Wong says the team enjoys forming strong relationships with smaller developers like Gravitas. A shared respect gave Wong a lot of independence on the project, he says.
“This is the second condo project we worked with Gravitas. We have gained mutual trust from the past project and hence more freedom to create this time.”
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