The Burrard Street Blog

Today’s entry is the first of a series on the different aspects of an apartment that give it the “wow” factor we’re all seeking. We start the series with a look at something that seems to be slowly disappearing below 30 stories in the downtown core, and that is a breathtaking view.

So often we hear about granite this and stainless steel that, it becomes easy to forget about another very important part of your home: What you have to look at every morning. I’m not talking about your spouse (that is one view I can’t help you change) but rather your condo’s view. Whether it is of the mountains, the ocean or the city, when you’re purchasing a home you may be looking at that same view for 10, 20 or 30 years and it needs to inspire you. For me, view and location are the most important aspects of a home purchase (assuming of course it has granite this and stainless steel that, great amenities and friendly neighbours). One could say a magnificant view is quite the panty dropper, while an unattactive one is a definite price dropper.

The Mountain View
For some nothing is more majestic than a view of the beautiful North Shore Mountains. It may be their size and strength as, unlike housing prices, they have remained constant for thousands of years. Some enjoy being reminded of mother nature and all her possibilities; perhaps looking out each morning to check the snow conditions and decide if they should call in sick and hit the slopes.

The Ocean View
Similar to its partner the mountain view, the Ocean View offers one a sense of just how great mother nature is, a reminder of how small we are compared to the earth which we have the privledge to inhabit. Also in common is the sheer beauty of the view on a perfect summer afternoon, sails riding high as the sea is alive with boats. Personally, I have never found mountain or ocean views very appealing after sunset.

The City View
To me their is no greater view than an impressive city view. While a view of the mountains or ocean may make one feel small compared to mother nature, sitting atop the city at 30 or 40 stories looking down can make a man feel like a king. What better way to start your day than to look out of your floor to ceiling windows and see all the people you need to meet, stores you can shop at, buildings you want to buy and restaurants you plan on trying? To me there is no comparison, well unless of course you can have all 3.

The Rooftop Garden
I used to live in the Electric Avenue building on Burrard and Smithe. My suite was on the top floor and as such it had access to what I liked to call the John Kalovich floor which provided semi-private access to a 360 degree rooftop garden. The view in my corner suite was fantastic but couldn’t compare to this. In the mornings I’d complete my runs by climbing the 24 stories of stairs to the garden, and I can tell you there is no better feeling in the world (yes I was listening to eye of the tiger, and yes I made a habit of proclaiming I was the king of the world while looking down on the city).

It may not always be possible to find the absolute perfect view you want, in the building you want. This is where the 360 degree rooftop garden comes into play. By having communal rooftop areas a building allows more of its residents to live like kings, even if its only for a few hours a week. As an ambitious up and coming investor, having a rooftop garden on your own home allows you to take a few minutes each day to look out over the city you want to one day own and feel inspired, taking that feeling with you for the rest of your day.

At the end of the day one has to ask, what is a view worth? Some tell me a view is everything to them, while others proclaim their blinds are closed all day anyhow so why waste the money or spend more time in an elevator than neccessary? Whatever you decide on your view, look into the surrounding airspace rules and make sure it is yours to keep. The beautiful view from my former corner unit in Electric Avenue will be no longer when the 40 story condo across the street completes sometime in 2009.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS