Vancouver Sun: Modern, Scandinavian-inspired homes set above Pemberton Valley

Jun

Vancouver Sun: Modern, Scandinavian-inspired homes set above Pemberton Valley

Elevate, is a collection of 46 duplexes and four townhomes — part of Sunstone Pemberton, a 160-acre master-planned community

'The homes are designed for the way we live,' says Cam McIvor, development manager for Sunstone Ridge Developments. — ‘The homes are designed for the way we live,’ says Cam McIvor, development manager for Sunstone Ridge Developments. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED /PNG

A hillside glimmering in the winter sunshine above the Pemberton Valley in 2004 was all the inspiration he needed to see the potential of the site as a place for people to live and experience the outdoor lifestyle the area is famous for, says Cam McIvor, development manager for Sunstone Ridge Developments.

Fast-forward to 2017 and the start of construction on Sunstone Pemberton, a 160-acre master-planned community on a south-facing hillside above the Pemberton Valley. To date, the development comprises the three phases of lots and the recently launched multi-family project, Elevate, a collection of 46 duplexes and four townhomes.

Pemberton, a 25-minute drive to Whistler, is well known for its outdoor lifestyle with places to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter and a range of summer activities including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and water sports such as canoeing, kayaking and swimming.

The two-tone kitchens at Elevate feature oak-look laminate lower cabinets and white upper cabinets, all with flat panel doors. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED /PNG

While Sunstone Pemberton, with new roads and infrastructure, has all the advantages of being close to Pemberton, it is not in the village’s downtown core and is conveniently close to a 20-acre community recreational site, says McIvor.

“The homes are designed for the way we live,” he says, adding that along with decks and generous outdoor space, every home is situated on a cul de sac with a two-car garage and connections to mountain bike trails.

The modern, Scandinavian-inspired architecture, by Urban West Architecture and Koodoo Designs, features flattish roofs and darker siding colours with large windows to capture the stunning views of Mount Currie – the landmark in the Garibaldi Range that stands 7,800 feet above the Pemberton Valley.

“[At Sunstone] there are mountain views to the east and west so truly 180-degree views,” says McIvor.Potential buyers of the duplexes in the Elevate project can choose from six different floorplans. The three or four-bedroom duplexes ranging in size from 2,026 square feet to 2,200 square feet. The variations in the floorplans account for differences such as the size of the rec rooms, laundry rooms and the number of bedrooms, he says.

Pemberton, a 25-minute drive to Whistler, is well known for its outdoor lifestyle with places to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter and a range of summer activities including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and water sports such as canoeing, kayaking and swimming. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED /PNG

The relaxed and minimalist interior design reflects the same Scandinavian influence that is seen in the architecture, says Annaliesse Kelly, founder and principal interior designer at AK Design.

“The windows frame the outdoors. When I walk in, I feel in awe of the view – Mount Currie is right there; there is nowhere else to look but at the amazing mountain.”

Kelly says she focused on a neutral design that would not detract from the mountain view, choosing durable materials and functional elements such as free-standing islands in all homes, full-height pantry cupboards and hard-wearing composite flooring.Buyers can choose from two colour schemes, Light or Dark, with the main differences found in the countertops and the floor tiles in the bathrooms.

The two-tone kitchens feature oak-look laminate lower cabinets and white upper cabinets, all with flat panel doors. White 12- by three-inch tiles will be set in a stacked pattern for a modern backsplash above the quartz countertops – the Light scheme’s countertop is reminiscent of marble with subtle veining, while the quartz in the Dark scheme has a grey concrete-look.

The upper cabinets and the walls are finished in the same white paint colour to enhance the feeling of spaciousness, says Kelly, while features like open shelving allow homeowners to add their personal touch to the kitchen.The major kitchen appliances are by Blomberg and include a 36-inch refrigerator/freezer, a gas range and a five-cycle dishwasher. The front-loading washer and dryer in the laundry are by LG.

In the bathrooms, 12- by 24-inch porcelain floor tiles brighten the space, while the frameless glass shower doors and the stacked white-tile backsplash will add to the spa-like ambience.

Elevate is 50 per cent sold, and McIvor says buyers include many Pemberton and Whistler locals with additional interest from buyers from the Lower Mainland.

Large windows capture the stunning views. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED /PNG

“There are a lot of young families [buying], so it’s turning into an instant neighbourhood,” says McIvor.

Typical weekend activities for young families could include berry picking at North Arm Farm, enjoying the Friday evening farmers market, mountain biking, fishing in the two small trout-stocked lakes above Sunstone or visiting the family friendly Beer Farmers craft brewery.

There is an added perk for buyers who are golfers with complimentary two-year memberships for two people to the Sunstone Golf Club with its 18-hole course. (The club was previously the Pemberton Golf and Country Club and later Meadows at Pemberton.) The club’s Sunstone Bar & Grill is a favourite place for a meal or drink after a round of golf.

Sunstone has also partnered with TELUS to give buyers one year of free internet 300 and Optik TV.

A spacious and stylish bathroom at Elevate. PHOTO BY SUPPLIED /PNG

McIvor notes community amenity contributions from sales at Sunstone benefit the community of Pemberton, helping to build the nearby recreation site being developed to include soccer fields and a mountain bike skills park and with longer-term plans for an arena and swimming pool.

The developer also made land available to facilitate the seven-kilometre Friendship Trail, a joint undertaking by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, the Village of Pemberton and the Líl’wat Nation. When complete, the trail will connect the communities of Mount Currie and the Village of Pemberton.

Project: Elevate at Sunstone

Project address: 4000 Sunstone Way, Pemberton, B.C.

Developer: Elevate Sunstone Joint Venture

Architect: Urban West Architecture and KooDoo Designs

Construction: TM Builders Inc

Interior designer: AK Design

Project size: 50 units

Number of bedrooms: 3- and 4-bedrooms

Price: From $1,209,000

Sales centre: Site tours by appointment

Phone: 604-935-2650

Website:elevatesunstone.com