PRIME POSITION
Residents of Polygon’s Aldynne on the Park will have green space at their doorsteps, urban amenities nearby
Aldynne on the Park
Project size: 242 homes in a 35-storey tower, four townhomes
Project location: 5808 Patterson Ave., Burnaby
Residence size: 2-bed 763 — 975 sq. ft; 2-bed + den 1,083 — 1,212 sq. ft; townhomes 1,315 sq. ft Prices: from $429,900
Developer: Polygon Architect: Nigel Baldwin, DYS Architecture
Interior designer: Polygon inhouse interior design
Sales centre: 5808 Patterson Ave., Burnaby
Hours: 12 — 6 p.m., Sat — Thurs
Telephone: 604-451-9517
Website: polyhomes.com
Sales began: September
When it comes to the Burnaby location of its latest project, Polygon believes it has a winner on its hands.
The Aldynne on the Park project is fairly close to the conveniences of Metrotown, but far enough away to avoid the potential drawbacks of being near such a busy commercial hub. Added to that; the 86.4-hectare Central Park is across the street.
“Parkside living means you’re overlooking greenery instead of concrete,” says Goldie Alam, senior vice-president, marketing. “There’s all of that fresh air — it’s a bit of a retreat from the city.”
Initial purchase figures show the project is appealing to buyers, with nearly half the homes snapped up since sales began in mid-September. Alam and her team feel that’s partly due to a thorough preview process, which made it possible for buyers to be familiar with exactly what they would be getting.
So far, the buyer demographic is clustered around three key groups. There are people from Burnaby and East Vancouver embarking on downsizing, but who aren’t prepared for micro condos after significant time in single-family houses. All of the homes at Aldynne are two-bedroom units or larger, starting at 763 square feet.
Because of its proximity to Central Park, the project will also give residents easy access to trees and nature, without the burden of the upkeep of their old yards. There has also been significant interest from overseas buyers, mainly from Asia, amazed that they can have all of the amenities of big-city living combined with so much green space, Alam says.
Finally, professional couples and some singles have also been drawn to Aldynne. Getting out of the downtown core means that they can get more square footage for their dollars, she notes; in some cases, they’ve made the choice to live farther away from their work places.
Two other buyer groups have been essentially absent.
“We made a conscious decision to make these homes on the bigger side,” Alam explains. “That pushes the pricing up a little. People buying for the first time and investors are more drawn to some of the smaller units closer to Metrotown, instead of here.”
Celia Dawson, Polygon’s senior vice-president of interior design, says the company wanted to impart a sense of quiet luxury in Aldynne. A touch of Tiffany-esque robin’s egg blue on the marketing materials is intended to allude to the project being a jewel of the park.
The highrise’s look and feel has been carefully thought out. An oversized drive-through courtyard creates separation from the street, and allows one to either do a quick drop off at the front door, or to head down a long, gently sloped driveway to the parking garage.
An over-height lobby evokes more of the sense of a luxury hotel, as does the air conditioning standard to each home. A greenscaped outdoor space divides the highrise tower from the development’s four townhouses.
Homes have been designed with a specific lifestyle in mind.
“We put the two bedrooms on opposite sides of the central living space for privacy,” Dawson says. “We also decided that 36-inch fridges were not needed in most homes, because people will be using the conveniences of the neighbourhood (such as restaurants and delis) or grocery shopping daily.”
Which is not to say that the homes aren’t set up to allow for dining and entertaining at home, she hastens to explain.
All of the kitchens have either islands or peninsulas, allowing for lots of countertop space. Appliances are integrated or concealed behind glossy white cabinetry, creating a sleekly sophisticated look.
We also decide dthat 36-inch fridges were not needed in most homes, because people will be using the conveniences of the neighbourhood (such as restaurants and delis) or grocery shopping daily. CELIA DAWSON SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, INTERIOR DESIGN, POLYGON
Kitchens flow seamlessly into the living and dining areas, making it possible for larger groups to circulate or lounge as needed during the course of an evening.
Dawson opted for the contrast of urban finishings — stone countertops and backsplashes, stainless steel and chrome touches, frameless glass showers — against the backdrop of the park. The overall look of the interior design is meant to be timeless and classic, to appeal to all buyers. She decided to provide the option of three different colour schemes, allowing buyers to individualize their homes to their satisfaction.
Five penthouse homes include more touches of luxury, including Miele appliances, wine fridges and built-in fireplaces. The fitness studio, entertainment lounge, and car wash stations are accessible by all residents.
Ultimately, though, Alam feels everything circles back to Aldynne’s location. Transit users have a oneblock walk to Patterson Station, taking them quickly and conveniently to SkyTrain stops throughout the Lower Mainland.
Those content to stick around closer to home have a myriad of fitness and recreation activities available at Central Park, such as pitch and putt, tennis, and nature trails. Those wanting to stay inside to sweat can get to Bonsor Recreation Complex in an easy stroll.
That easy walk also makes it possible to be entertained at the movie theatres and restaurants of Metrotown, or to get business taken care of at banks and grocery stores.
Retail therapy encompasses hundreds of stores.
Alam won’t say yet at this point whether Polygon is looking for more spaces alongside large-scale parks, but acknowledges that buyers increasingly seem to be looking for access to nature — something the company is happy to provide here, paired as it is with every urban amenity.