Eaglewind up for Georgie, SAM awards
December 15, 2008
Downtown Squamish’s skyline is changing at a rapid pace, and some of the new housing developments cropping up are earning some high praise from the industry, including a nomination for best residential development of the year. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association of B.C. recently announced five Georgie award nominations for Solterra Development’s Talon and Summit Views developments spanning the northeast end of downtown. The developments, part of the Eaglewind project, are for best low-rise multi-family; most innovative design; successful public-private partnerships; and community enhancement, and best residential development.
Meanwhile, the national Canadian Home Builders’ Association has nominated Talon for a SAM award for best community design. “That’s just a fantastic acknowledgement from the industry,” said Solterra vice-president of development Mike Bosa. The award nominations can be attributed to the diversity the entire project provides, he said. “We managed to incorporate the carriage homes as well as your standard tandem townhouses as well as duplex homes. And we were able to provide a larger variety of price ranges for homeowners in such a small project as Talon.” “We’ve taken special time with the Eaglewind project, and that had a lot to do with the nomination and because it is a masterplan we’re able to put different types of housing in the development, so overall community, we’re not going to have one type of home,” said Bosa.
“For us to be recognized and in turn the District of Squamish… our goal is that people truly get to see what’s available in Squamish.” Eaglewind’s Talon project was recognized for the innovative design it used in creating carriage homes, which are located above parking or courtyard spaces, and differ from typical apartments as more isolated units. “There’s no internal hallways and also your home has double decks, usually, and double light, in the front and the rear,” said Bosa, who added the option was made possible due to the property’s broad land use regulation. “It was pretty wide open what we could provide to the district.” Eaglewind was also nominated for the public-private partnership established with the district in dedicating 11 acres of land to tennis courts, a community garden, dog park, walking trails, children’s playground and lawn bowling.
“That’s just recently turned over to the district,” said Bosa. “Hopefully the people in the community know that it’s there. It’s a little hidden gem at this point. But we’re getting more and more people to see it, and the tennis courts are there and our goal is that eventually these tennis courts get programmed with kids’ activities or lessons.”
Parts of the massive project are still under construction, and the push is on to complete it all in 2009, said Bosa. Talon is currently occupied. In early 2009, a freestanding commercial building and piazza will be ready for occupation. The Streams townhouse complex should have occupancy in January 2009, said Bosa. And the Rockcliff complex of 90 condos and six-storey building with senior centre and commercial space, should be completed by May of 2009, he said.
By Reporter
Sylvie Paillard
squamishchief.com