STREET APPEAL
Burnaby’s Akimbo to showcase a striking exterior design
Standing akimbo — with hands on hips and elbows turned outward — exudes a sense of confidence and boldness, says Payam Imani, founder and CEO of Imani Development, adding that the firm’s new 40-storey residential tower, Akimbo, will epitomize those qualities.
The development site on the corner of Madison Avenue and Dawson Street in Burnaby’s booming Brentwood neighbourhood benefits from its proximity to several shopping malls and the Gilmore SkyTrain station without being “on top of them,” Imani notes.
“We wanted a recognizable building to set us apart from other developers in the area,” he says, adding that the architectural firm, IBI Group, achieved that objective.
“The interesting design of the building is sculpted by the uniquely shaped and angled balconies that are vertically connected …Creating that design also achieved expansive balconies and those are an important aspect of outdoor living and condo lifestyle.”
The concrete building will have a porte cochere with a drop-off and pickup area next to the front door that opens into an 1,800-square-foot, double-height grand lobby.
Fourth-floor amenities will include a fully equipped gym, guest suite and indoor and outdoor social areas.
Outdoor amenities include a dining area and kitchen, kids’ play space and gardening beds.
For the interiors of the homes, designer Lisa Hansen of Area3 Design was inspired to create a modern, but neutral design.
“I’m always cognizant when designing for a tower, that it’s going to be a few years before it’s built out. I don’t want to include anything trendy that, by the time people move in, looks dated.”
Hansen created two colour and material palettes for Akimbo: Light and Dark.
“The Light scheme is more airy, serene and calm — while being minimalist and modern,” she says, describing the Dark option with its grey and black hues as “sexy, moody and masculine.”
Both palettes are on display in the Burnaby sales centre. A kitchen showcases the Dark scheme, while a two-bedroom-and-den condo presents the Light option.
In the Dark scheme, the Caesarstone countertop and backsplash anchor the kitchen vignette, while a light countertop and backsplash in a matte finish show a completely different option in the two-bedroom show suite.
Kitchens feature Italian flat-panel cabinet doors with no visible handles, opting instead for J-pulls for easy opening and closing.
The Fisher & Paykel appliances are integrated, giving the appearance of being part of the cabinetry and making the room feel larger, Hansen adds.
The Italian porcelain wall and floor tiles in the ensuite bathrooms give buyers the look and feel of stone, but without the maintenance requirements.
Other special features include a medicine cabinet with a ‘floating’ shelf, a decorative pendant light and a spacious niche in the shower. The main bathroom has a soaker-style tub and an accent wall featuring textured European porcelain tiles.