Solterra’s Italia development aims to bring a luxurious Mediterranean touch to South Granville. This 11-storey strata condo-plus-townhome mid-rise features European-inspired finishes, expansive balconies and even the ability to customize the layout of your unit, if you wish.
In this episode of GREENLIGHT, host Stephen Tadgh explores how Solterra is bringing Italy to South Granville and all the amenities this building will offer. Available are one- to three-bedroom homes, just minutes away from some of Vancouver’s finest shopping destinations, breathtaking views and Granville Island.
Project analysis.
The ability to customize a unit to your specifications is perhaps Italia’s most unique feature. Beyond selecting your continental-inspired finishes, you can dictate the layout of walls and rooms. Whether you want to remove a dividing wall or reconfigure entire spaces, it’s your home to design as you like. “Because the floor plate in the building changes so often, we are able to really move things around that you would not be able to do in a conventional high-rise,” says Amy Harper, Sales Manager for Italia.
Taking a look inside a unit, Homeseekers can expect to find luxurious finishes as standard. These include motorized cabinets that open and shut on their own, and a side-door oven by Gaggenau. Choose from Amalfi or Firenze colour schemes. The former is warm and bright, with chrome fixtures, while the latter is dark and rich, accompanied by brass fixtures. Penthouse levels boast an exclusive Venezia colour scheme, fireplaces and walk-in wine cellars. “Basically, it's Italian craftsmanship, beauty, simplicity,” says Harper. “This building has all the amenities of a high-rise, minus the people.”
In the ensuite washroom, you’ll find both a soaker tub and separate shower with side jets, as standard. Plus, a fully-automated toilet with bidet is included in all ensuites, bringing what is a ubiquitous find in Italy directly to Vancouver. Not only can you raise and lower the seat at the touch of a button, you can choose bidet features all from a convenient remote control. “You never have another one-bed in the city that's got body jets in the shower, heated bathroom floors and a single-family-home-size Gaggenau appliance package,” says Harper. “That just doesn't happen for one-beds.”
Heading out onto the balcony of your unit, you can use the expansive outdoor area to soak in the sun and sights of Vancouver. Positioned with stunning city or mountain views, the wall-to-wall glass windows allow you to bring the outdoors inside even on colder days. Townhomes on the ground floor boast not only a patio area, but two separate entrances.
With all of these amenities and features, units are moving quickly at Italia. Construction is well underway, so act fast to secure your new home – especially if you’d like one of the customizable units.
Project information.
Project timeline.
Q&A with Amy Harper, Sales Manager for Italia.
How do the customizable units work?
Basically, if you don't like something in the floor plan or you want to put two homes together to make a larger space, we can do that. On certain levels of the building we can [combine] two together. You can even move a bathroom, because the floor plate in the building changes so often, we are able to really move things around that you would not be able to do in a conventional high-rise where you have to follow a stack the whole way.
What are the finishing options that are available in your unit and what sets them apart from other new condos?
Well, the quality of the materials like the Cristina Rubinetterie fixtures and the cabinetry and everything. You never have another one-bed in the city that's got body jets in the shower, heated bathroom floors and a single-family-home-size Gaggenau appliance package. Like that just doesn't happen for one-beds.
What sort of buyers is Italia aimed at, and who is purchasing?
When the project first launched, most of our buyers were downsizers, but now we’re seeing more young professionals and families with children. The fact that you can do what you want, like both of these buyers [said], “we like that we can do what we want because it's kind of like building a custom home.” These guys probably don't want to maintain a yard. They like the lock-and-leave lifestyle, but they get to make it like a custom home and they get to do what they want.
What can people look forward to in the neighborhood where Italia is located?
There's a new park coming up, the Burrard Slopes Park. We're right on the Arbutus Greenway. So if you have pets, it's great for walking your dog. There is Beaucoup Bakery. And of course Granville Island, which is the big highlight. That's a seven minute walk. It’s kind of got all the amenities, all the shopping up South Granville, if you like that. And you're right by the new SkyTrain; the South Granville station is right next to us, too.
For non-human residents, what are the amenities one can look forward to if you move in with a pet?
We have a pet spa. And we're right on the Arubutus Greenway. It's a great place to walk your dog. I'll actually go up there sometimes and walk my dog. It's really nice.
Gallery
