The Smithe offers refined city living

It’s where exquisite design and elegance merge, a prestigious residence unlike anything previously seen in Vancouver. Introducing The Smithe, a one-of-a-kind residential tower poised to inspire a new way of celebrating urban living.

Elevate your lifestyle

Now open for exclusive previews, The Smithe’s sales gallery is a show-stopper. My first impression is one of space and light, immediately followed by a fundamental sense of luxury. Briefly I wonder if somehow I’ve been transported into an ultra contemporary, single-family home in the heart of a visionary urban metropolis.

The flooring is a honed, pale-coloured natural stone that extends throughout the entire residence — every square inch of this 1,429-sq.-ft. home. A 38-ft. expanse of windows spanning the living and dining areas offers dazzling cityscape views across Yaletown and False Creek.

To my left, I hear a gasp of delight from a woman who’s beaming at her husband in the kitchen. “Wow, unbelievable. Lights in the pot drawers? Who does that? And look at this.” She touches one of the upper cabinets that are custom built by Binova in Italy, made of seamlessly book-matched walnut. The door slides silently toward the ceiling. Another touch of a button concealed in the interior frame, and the door closes.

For me though, it’s the SubZero and Wolf appliances — including a temperature-controlled wine storage system — that make my heart skip a beat. Bring on family celebrations and afternoons spent experimenting with my favourite cookbooks.

Okay, time to check out the master bedroom. “Now, this is my kind of dream closet… I’ll even share it with you.” The man grins affectionately at his partner as she checks out the way each section of the built-in wardrobe system lights up when the door is opened — elegant, sophisticated and highly efficient. “And you’re going to love the ensuite… everything you wanted, but better.”

He’s instantly smitten with the way the marble flooring continues up the walls, wrapping the room in luxury. She loves the frameless glass shower with Dornbracht fixtures and flush-set composite stone basin. He’s enthused with the wall-hung toilet. She’s wowed by the two floating vanities with lighting. “See, I told you you’d be impressed with Boffo’s quality,” she says, giving him an affectionate squeeze on the arm.

How true. I smile and head back through the dining room and living room, where I’d previously spotted a no-threshold door to the balcony. As a self-confessed patio fanatic, outdoor living space is a feature that goes beyond important — it’s an essential. The Smithe delivers. Fully covered, luxurious, and boasting gas hook-ups for heater and barbecue, plus an eye-catching wall finish, this bonus “living room” is definitely where you’d find me grilling up family dinners or chilling over Sauvignon Blanc and the latest sci-fi thriller.

And here’s a cool bonus I’ve never seen in a sales centre before – Boffo has created a pathway that wraps around the display home’s “exterior” so you’ll get a sense of exactly how this prestigious residence will look outside as well as inside.

“The hallmark of this residence is Boffo’s meticulous commitment to quality and luxury,” notes Scott Trepp, principal of Trepp Design Inc. “The result is a showcase of the sophisticated, classic design found in single-family residences yet with a modern, urban aesthetic.” He adds that even the colour palettes are dramatic and unique — inspired by exotic palisander or heavily grained walnut — while exterior finishings reference the heritage of nearby historical buildings from the early 1900s.

Iconic location

Inspired by the rich heritage of adjacent Yaletown and the contemporary aesthetic of Crosstown, The Smithe is perfectly situated in the very heart of Vancouver’s dynamic Arts and Events District. Here you’re within walking distance to the diverse array of theatres, galleries, and cultural venues that have helped set Vancouver firmly centre stage as one of the world’s great cities.

Live performances ranging from symphony and dance to Broadway theatrical extravaganzas, or thought-provoking dramas take place year round in venues like the long-beloved Orpheum, Queen Elizabeth, Vancouver Playhouse, Scotiabank Dance Centre and Vogue Theatres. Movie lovers can be amazed by international offerings found at silver screen venues that include the Vancouver International Film Centre or the intimate Cinematheque.

Foodies will soon discover The Smithe offers options guaranteed to get taste buds tingling year-round. Award-winning dining destinations include classic, fusion, casual and experimental. Later, perhaps a late-night, signature cocktail before strolling home to The Smithe.

All this, plus ever-changing exhibits found at the renowned Vancouver Art Gallery or the emerging art sensations displayed at the galleries including Kostuik Gallery and the Contemporary Art Gallery.

Spectacular amenities

The Smithe’s amenities, too, are poised to raise the bar. On the sixth-floor podium level, owners will have exclusive access to over 6,000 sq. ft. of amenity spaces including 4,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor lounges, a private dining room on the mezzanine that’s perfect for larger gatherings, and a fully appointed fitness facility with top-of-the-line cardio and weight-training equipment.

If, like me, you’ve got “a few” two-wheelers in your household, you’re going to be in awe of the results of a visionary partnership between Boffo and HUB Cycling, a non-profit, Vancouver organization dedicated to education and innovation. How’s this for a cyclist’s dream? At the Smithe you’ll have a bicycle-only elevator with its own separate entrance, doors on opposite sides for easy entry or exit, and direct access to a secure storage area and tune-up workshop. Now, that’s innovation others need to follow.

The Smithe’s 6,000-sq.-ft. sales gallery with 1,429-sq.-ft. display home is now open by appointment at 1035 Seymour St. in Vancouver. Sales are anticipated to begin in late February.