Amazing Amenities! New developments in Metro Vancouver are bringing a wide array of amenities to people of all ages

Some people just want a place to spend 15 minutes on an exercise bike, or be able to catch some rays on a rooftop deck; and some desire a heli-pad and a robotic car elevator – we all have our differences in what we’re looking for (and willing to pay for) in condo amenities. With a competitive condo market, many developers are going over-the-top with the number and imagination of the amenity packages they are offering. These can really add to your health and quality of life, but they also add to your monthly strata fees, so it’s important to balance what you will use and what you can afford.

While Concord Pacific recently set the record for the most expensive amenity space in the country with The ARC’s spectacular two-level space including the highest glass-bottomed swimming pool in North America (it’s a terrifying 20 storeys up), there are quite a few developments in our region that are setting new standards when it comes to amenity options.

In North American surveys, the most used amenities are gyms and rooftop decks. But with more and more people bringing up families in condos, as well as people downsizing into townhomes or condos, amenities geared towards people of different ages can make all the difference.

One of the most extensive amenity packages is coming to ERA Maple Ridge, a master-planned community by Swiss Real. After taking into account feedback from both buyers into the first phase as well as interested buyers, they have put together something truly impressive. “We want to offer something to appeal to people in every single decade of their lives,” says Swiss Real vice-president Jeremy Towning. “From newborns for the daycare centre to the podcast room for millennials, to the lounge area and golf simulator for seniors.” ERA’s clubhouse is one of a kind for the greater Vancouver area, situated on two floors, the soon to be built 12,000-plus square-foot building will offer state of the art amenities for all, including a full basketball court, dog wash and grooming room, outdoor pool with hot tub along with all the standards (lounge, gym, board room, theatre, and more).

Anthem’s SOCO in Coquitlam is another exciting project with more than 43,000 square feet of of indoor and outdoor amenities, including a contemporary co-working space with meeting rooms, fitness centre with yoga room, indoor sports courts, a workshop for projects and a dedicated music room and sound studio. Outside there’s a fitness track, sports court for table tennis or badminton, play area, outdoor lounge and entertaining BBQ area.

In Port Moody, 50 Electronic Avenue is setting a high bar with their dedicated three-storey clubhouse, Club 50, offering over 9,000 square feet of spectacular amenities including a fitness facility, peaceful yoga studio, dog wash room, bicycle repair room, and workshop on the first level. Venture to the second level and find an arcade, media room, co-working space with two boardrooms, and indoor/outdoor youth activity area. On the third level, a luxurious lounge opens onto a large patio, and a guest suite welcomes visiting friends and family.
Foster Martin in White Rock offers residents 10,000 square feet of world-class amenities at The Shore Club, which includes an indoor/outdoor heated pool and outdoor hot tub surrounded by an expansive deck with lounge chairs and comfortable seating areas. There’s also a steam room and sauna, health and fitness room including a fully-equipped training gym, a yoga room, a multi-purpose room with an entertainment kitchen, and a games room with a billiards table and large-screen TV.

The redevelopment of CF Richmond Centre into a spectacular world-class master-planned community includes an amenity package to match. Just to focus for now on the outdoor spaces, the towers have been purposefully configured to create serene, elevated courtyards between buildings called Sky Gardens where residents can socialize, garden and relax. In Neighbourhood ONE alone, there are 45,000 square feet of Sky Garden space including: A Harvest Garden with gardening plots, potting tables, barbeques and a long table for communal dining; a Community Garden including a neighbourhood hub with lounges, picnic space, lawn games, a children’s play area, an outdoor kitchen and a fire feature; and two Wellness Gardens with open space, landscaped greenery, a rock garden and a lounging deck that will offer a Zen-like atmosphere for yoga, Tai Chi, meditation and relaxation.

Concord Metrotown’s amenity facility is called Sky Park, which sits atop a podium, and will feature 66,000 square feet of amenity space to encourage a balanced lifestyle with a focus on being available in every season. Amenities at Sky Park are sectioned off into the following innovative categories: a Wellness sphere, featuring a conservatory, fitness centre, pet spa, dog park, tea house, outdoor yoga lawn and outdoor sports court, a Hydro sphere, featuring a children’s water play area, swimming pool and barrel sauna, and a Social sphere, featuring an orangerie, 400 metre running track, outdoor work pods, and outdoor co-working space.

Some equally enviable amenity buildings are being built for townhome communities in our region. Like having your own private clubhouse or country club, these amenities put relaxation and recreation at your doorstep. A great example of this is the Canopy Club at Forester Burke Mountain in Coquitlam. The Canopy Club includes not only an outdoor pool with cabana seating, but also a fitness centre and yoga studio, a games lounge with a billiards table and big-screen TV, a music room made for jam sessions, and indoor and outdoor lounges with fireplaces as well as an outdoor barbeque area.

Sunny Tsawwassen is home to Seaside by Mosaic, and The Seaside Club is the perfect place to enjoy the summer weather. The Seaside Club is a 10,000 square-foot amenity centre that is a gathering place and an extension of a home at Seaside. The Club is the heart of the community with an outdoor pool, fitness centre, great room, kids play area, and change rooms.

When you are condo or townhome shopping it makes sense to look at your current expenses for services and things you actually use. If you are spending $100 a month on a gym membership, $30 for a pool pass at the rec centre, $200 a month for a co-working space, then you can be confident that having these options right in your building will actually save you money and travel time. Having a diverse and quality array of amenities is also an attractive quality for your resale value.