FAMILY STYLE
Listraor team prides itself on the attention to quality and detail on projects such as Perron, overlooking Vancouver’s Winona Park
“Family matters,” says Chris Rowland, vice-president of Listraor, as the Vancouver-based real estate development company puts the finishing touches to its most recent project, Perron.
“Being a family business plays a big part in the quality of the building. It means we only do one or two projects simultaneously, and a lot of attention and time goes into making each one a boutique development,” he says.
Perron, at 7587 Yukon Street, is a collection of 31 residences, including 11 garden homes and 20 townhomes built on a 19,800 square feet site in Vancouver’s sought-after west side. Listraor traces its company name to a farm in Ireland that was in the family for more than 350 years.
“There is a higher level of care and pride that goes into running a family business,” says Rowland, recalling a childhood that included reviewing building plans with his father. “We get involved in many of the details to make sure the homes are built as we envisioned them. Our level of care translates to the workers who want to put the same level of pride in their work.”
Conveniently located near the Marine at Gateway Skytrain station (on the Canada Line) Perron’s residents will also benefit from the outdoor recreational space in the neighbourhood, including Winona Park, just opposite the development, Riley Park, Tisdall Park and Vancouver’s famous 52-hectare Queen Elizabeth Park with amenities such as the Bloedel Conservatory, the renowned rose garden, public art and plenty of pathways to explore.
The architecture for Perron, by RLA Architects Inc., reflects a modern approach along with a nod to traditional elements, says Rowland.
“We wanted to have some consistency with our previous projects — we like a modern style but one that is not stark or cold; we like a warmer feel.”
The most striking architectural feature is the white Hardie panel window surrounds set against the brick exterior and dark grey seam metal that runs across the top of the building.
The glass railing visible above the metal panels is a clue to the townhomes’ 265 square metre rooftop decks that extend the units’ living space and provide a great area to entertain.
With space for a barbecue and two seating areas, the rooftop decks have the wow-factor, says Rowland.
“The view is spectacular — overlooking Winona Park and beyond — better than I ever expected,” he adds.
Local families moving up from smaller apartments are expected to purchase the townhomes while the smaller ground-level garden units will likely attract young couples and downsizers, says Rowland noting the homes will be move-in ready in November.
Rowland says completing projects prior to the sales launch is not unusual for Listraor, which has been building homes in Metro Vancouver for 25 years. “The can see the quality before they buy, and there is more certainty on schedule,” he says.
Theresa Yoon, principal of Interior Design Lab, appreciates Listraor’s attention to detail noting that while many developers change the interior designer’s initial specifications, in this case, Rowland maintained the integrity of the design and was willing to spend a little more on some features, thereby adding value to project.
One example is the bathroom tile, she says, adding that instead of using one tile throughout for ease of ordering and installation, the design required three different tiles in the bathrooms.
In the powder room, a dark marble-look porcelain tile adds interest and contrast to the small space while different 24 by 24-inch floor and wall tiles in the ensuite and main bathroom realize the designer’s vision.
For the interior design, Yoon took her cue from the neighbourhood and the architecture of the project itself.
“It’s important to have integration of the interiors with the architect’s design and vision – everything needs to work together,” she says.
Yoon developed two colour schemes, Light and Dark, both featuring warm grey tones.
“People have looked around, they are experts and know what they want,” says Yoon. “It’s important to anticipate wants and expectations, and then go above and beyond.”
In sync with the exteriors, Yoon added some traditional touches to the otherwise modern and contemporary interior design to achieve a timeless esthetic.
The colours in the two palettes are modern and contemporary but very warm and inviting and designed to appeal to a wide market and work well for any age group, she says.
At Perron, the grey cabinet colour in each of the schemes was a custom mix and required several samples before Yoon settled on the warm taupe grey for the Light palette and the deeper grey for the Dark scheme.
The grey (lowers) and white (uppers and integrated panels) reverse Shaker-style cabinetry in the kitchen combines with Caesarstone quartz countertops and the honed marble-look porcelain tile backsplash to create an elegant design while features like the Power Slide mechanisms in the corner cabinet, under-cabinet task lighting and the Kohler faucet with pullout sprayhead ensure functionality.
The major kitchen appliances are by Bosch and include a 30-inch refrigerator with bottom freezer, a 30-inch five-burner gas cooktop with a central workstation, a wall oven and dishwasher.
There is a level of secured underground parking and several electric vehicle charging stations.