RISING STAR
Étoile Gold is Millennium Development's final tower in Brentwood development
Destined to be Millennium Development Group's final tower in the Étoile trilogy of condo buildings in Burnaby's Brentwood neighbourhood, Étoile Gold is being constructed on a high-profile site where the unique curved exterior of the highrise will be seen from the Trans-canada Highway and contribute to the city's evolving skyline.
Those long-distance views, along with how the building relates to the public realm, were important considerations in the design of the 47-storey tower on the corner of Springer Avenue and Douglas Road, says Robert Duke, principal at Chris Dikeakos Architects (CDA). The building is slightly tapered as it rises from the sloped site, says Duke.
“Because it's a tower that's seen from a distance, we wanted it to have a slight tapering towards the top to become a little more elegant and a variation of the curb linear form that's occurring throughout the body of the tower,” he says.
The Étoile name (the French word for star) identifies the trio of buildings, including the completed Étoile Tower 1 and Étoile Tower 2 — both in nearby Goring Street — and the third tower, where the addition of “Gold” to the moniker speaks to the level of luxury Étoile Gold offers, says Hazel Jambor, project manager at Millennium Development, who adds the development was inspired by the world's leading resort hotels.
“The Brentwood neighbourhood is the sought after place to be,” says Jambor, adding the shopping, dining and entertainment at Brentwood Town Centre and the proximity to Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Lake Regional Park, and direct access to rapid transit (Holdom Skytrain Station on the Millennium Line is a few minutes walk from Étoile Gold) make the location appealing.
The development has 277 homes for sale, including three townhouses that front onto Douglas Street, one-, two- and three-bedroom condos (from the 16th to the 46th floor) and four penthouses on the 47th storey.
“The homes feature expansive balconies that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, creating a space for gardening, entertainment
The homes feature expansive balconies that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living.
and relaxation,” says Jambor, pointing to the example of the two-bedroom plus den homes that have balconies starting at 540 square feet.
The penthouses, which enjoy the best views from the top level of Étoile Gold, are distinguished by the 10-ft six-inch ceiling height, large balconies with gas and hose bib included and only four homes (compared to eight or nine on other floors) on this top level.
There will also be stunning views from the 14th-floor sky lounge and large wraparound terrace, one of the highlights of the 35,000 sq. ft of indoor and outdoor amenities.
Other amenities will include an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and sundeck, a fitness centre and yoga studio — all on level three — while the entertainment lounge with billiard table will be on level two where lush gardens with terrace seating, outdoor cinema and dining area, putting green, a children's play area, urban gardening spaces plus a peaceful garden retreat can also be found, says Jambor.
On level one, there is a dedicated music room, and those residents who work from home will enjoy the space provided in the co-working lounge.
One of the standout architectural features on the building is a perforated metal mesh screen in front of the lower-level amenity spaces in the building where it fronts onto the corner of Douglas Road and Springer Avenue.
“[The perforated screen] does a couple of things,” says Duke. “It frames and ties together the base between the entry to the tower and the amenity spaces, and it creates a really interesting metallic expression along the road for people [to see] as they're driving by, because in the evening the light will easily come through the metal mesh in a really interesting way — very seductive and very ephemeral, a really haptic experience of how materials work with sensations and experiences to the public as well as those who are inside.”
He also notes that the mesh feature forms a solar screen on the southwest corner, allowing diffuse light into the building.
“It reduces the solar load and yet still creates really cool shadows within the amenity spaces.”
CDA was also responsible for the interior design that was guided by Millennium's preference for a contemporary and timeless look, says Duke.
He describes the palette as luscious and rich with the inclusion of marble-inspired quartz countertops in the kitchens and bathrooms.
Homebuyers can choose from two colour schemes for the interiors: Dusk, the darker of the two options, and Dawn, the lighter choice.
In the kitchens, European-style cabinetry with marble-look quartz countertops and backsplash anchor the space with a deluxe brushed-gold kitchen faucet complementing the design and connecting to the name of the building.
The European flair extends to the major appliances with refrigerators, cooktops, wall ovens and dishwashers all from the Italian designed Bertazzoni product range.
In the bathrooms, large-scale
In the evening the light will easily come through the metal mesh in a really interesting way — very seductive and very ephemeral.
marble-inspired floor tiles and tub and shower surround (according to floor plan) contribute to the spalike ambience that is also enhanced by the floating vanities, backlit mirrored medicine cabinets in the master ensuites and free-standing tubs (in select homes).
Jambor says homes in Étoile Gold are attractive to a range of buyers. Several of the amenities — such as the playground and putting green — were designed for children to enjoy while the Brentwood neighbourhood also has community recreational activities for children. The development is also attractive to downsizers with its location conveniently close to the Brentwood Town Centre yet far enough away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, she says, adding young professionals and investors are also part of the target market.
Étoile Gold is expected to be completed in 2028.