Setting the stage in Langley
Legacy on Park Avenue is the passion of lifelong developer whose expertise is in the details
A new six-storey condo building in downtown Langley represents more than a 69-unit addition to the Fraser Valley's housing stock.
Its marketing and sales manager says it also represents something of a passion project for a man who's been in the construction business for more than 47 years.
“It's the dream of an 86-year-old German developer,” Ben Gauer says. “This is his legacy building, putting all the ideas he's gathered over his many years of developing buildings into this one building.”
The project, aptly named Legacy on Park Avenue, is the vision of JMC Properties' Erich Jaeger, whom Gauer says “came up with a dream and directed every aspect of this building.”
It is noteworthy, Gauer says, on multiple counts.
Designed with Keystone Architecture, Legacy has a striking look, showcasing a curved, illuminated exterior clad in tile, an aluminum composite material and glass.
It features innovative cross-laminated timber construction, which has benefits related to insulation, sustainability and esthetics.
And seemingly small touches, such as the drains in every bathroom and laundry room, may go a big way toward addressing concerns about damage from water overflow — and the associated insurance costs. For the same reason, sprinkler heads have been recessed into the ceilings to prevent them from being activated by accidental contact.
Such details aren't lost on the likes of Pam and Brian Doyle, retired downsizers who hope to move into their 1,682-square-foot, three-bedroom home in the coming weeks.
“We really like the floor-toceiling windows, drains in all washroom and laundry room floors, the large and uniquely shaped decks, the modern kitchens with top-quality appliances and the extra soundproofing between units and even between rooms within each unit,” says Pam, noting that their sixth-floor unit takes in far-reaching mountain outlooks. Gauer says that Legacy, which has been selling primarily to downsizers from throughout the Lower Mainland, also incorporates numerous features intended to address any COVID-19-related concerns.
The main entrance has a touchless entry, for instance, each unit has its own heating and cooling system, and hallways are extra wide to allow for physical distancing.
When homeowners step from that hallway into their two- and three-bedroom residences, they will be positioned in units with wideplank engineered white oak hardwoods, seven-foot-high doors and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Kitchens in the Legacy homes, which are showcased courtesy of two show suites — one with the Organic White palette, one with Coastal Grey — have features which include Caesarstone countertops, Blanco undermount sinks, under-cabinet lighting, and appliance packages from Fisher & Paykel, Blomberg and Panasonic.
Bathrooms, meantime, are fitted with floating cabinetry with soft-close doors, large-format imported Italian porcelain tile and radiant in-floor heating.
There are upward of 20 plans on offer, but each has a private outdoor space, the largest being 450 square feet. All homes are fitted with two natural gas outlets, one for a barbecue, one for a heater.
“Almost every suite is its own unique home,” Gauer says.
“And nothing is small in this building. They're all spacious.”
Legacy on the Park is close to myriad big-city amenities, and a short hop from wineries, farmers' markets, golf courses and the antique shops, boutiques and eateries that line the charming streets of Fort Langley.
Within Legacy, residents will have access to over 6,000 square feet of their own amenity space.
That space includes not only a fitness area, an office/ boardroom that can be booked for meetings, but also a multi-purpose grand lounge that features work stations, an entertainment area, as well as a kitchen, fireplace and outdoor terrace.
The double-height lobby, meantime, has a concierge, fireplace, seating area and green wall art installation.
The project, Gauer says, was envisioned by Jaeger to be a residential building that's “completely different,” and which would be noteworthy for many years to come.
“His dream was that this building would last for many generations … and be something that would stand out and look the same 100 years from now, something that would stand out and be recognized as very, very special,” he says.