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Monday, April 17, 2017
Friday, April 14, 2017
Weekend Competition: At the movies…
The weekend’s competition focuses on music from the movies, thanks to Faber Music’s vibrant, interesting new collections.
Film Themes: The Piano Collection consists of thirty film tunes arranged for piano solo; a selection of sympathetically arranged classic yet contemporary, and ‘up to the minute’ pieces for the intermediate to advanced player. Featuring favourites from such films as Star Wars, Frozen, Hunger Games, How To Train Your Dragon and Twilight, plus several pieces from the Harry Potter film series. This selection offers an excellent alternative to standard repertoire, particularly for the film buff. A great addition to the student, teacher and piano lover’s library.
Who doesn’t love the new hit movie La La Land? My second competition offering is a collection of music from the film. Ten songs have been transcribed for piano and voice with guitar chords, following the original music and keys as closely as possible. I would suggest the arrangements are generally for more advanced pianists, but some are simpler, and may be suitable for intermediate players.
I have one copy of each book to give away to two lucky winners. Please leave your comment in the comment box at the end of this blog post to be in with a chance of winning. I will announce the winners on Monday evening (British time). Good luck!
You can purchase a copy and find out more about the books here and here.
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Friday, April 7, 2017
Eleven West Kitsilano – Pricing & Floor Plans
At a Glance
- in beautiful Kitsilano on the Arbutus Greenway
- ten 1, 2 and 3-bedroom concrete homes
- five two-storey townhouses
- two artist studios
- penthouse roof garden
- near Kitsilano Community Centre
- walking distance to cafes, restaurants, schools, shops
- 5 min. from Kits Beach & Granville Island
Where Two Unexpected Qualities Meet
Combining traditional elements with a fresh interpretation, Eleven West is a contemporary approach to living, designed and crafted into four unique styles of properties. From special artist studios, townhomes and condominiums to the exclusive penthouse, Eleven West is 10 private homes in the heart of a vibrant city. Floor plans, finishes and materials selected are all designed to please and capture your imagination in a way that is not about buying property, but living in a home. We take you on a journey to these select living spaces that is unlike anything you may have seen in Vancouver.
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Pricing for Eleven West
Although these exclusive homes are currently in pre-construction and final pricing has not yet been published, we expect strong presale interest in Eleven West. Contact me today to discuss your needs.
Floor Plans for Eleven West
Eleven West preserves the heritage characteristics of the former building on the site, while adding desirable, functional living spaces. There are five two-storey townhouses and five condominiums in the mid-rise, offering just ten 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom homes.
Eleven West Interiors
Modern and neighbourhood characteristics blend harmoniously to refine the urban living experience on the Arbutus Greenway. Individual residences feature blended finishes and open floor plans to allow room to live.
- 9′-10′ floor-to–ceiling windows
- chef’s kitchen with integrated Bosch, Sub Zero, Miele appliances
- gas cooktop, speed ovens, wall ovens
- unique patio spaces
- gorgeous decks opening off the living area
- spa en suites
- air conditioning
- engineered wide plank hardwood floors
- quartz countertops
- walnut & white custom cabinets
Parking and Storage
Each home includes secure underground parking and storage.
Maintenance Fees at Eleven West
To be included with final pricing.
Developer Team for Eleven West
With a reputation built on exquisite quality and meticulousness, Nadeau Developments is highly regarded throughout the Greater Vancouver building industry. With their extensive experience and attention to detail on every project, Nadeau Developments embodies the definition of a boutique real estate developer, from careful planning and consultation processes, to their small, expert team. Their portfolio includes single-family homes, multi-family condominiums, and mixed-use development of nearly any project type, including complex heritage revitalization developments, modern concrete structures, and glass and steel construction.
Ankenman Marchand Architects is experienced in a broad spectrum of architectural, urban design, and community planning projects, including multi-residential developments, commercial projects, heritage restoration, and resort planning. At AMA, fresh ideas are paired with technical skill, to produce award-winning results. Their multi-disciplinary team finds thoughtful solutions to clients’ needs, using sustainable building practices and building information modelling. AMA’s strengths are in quality of service and the form and function of the resulting architecture, regardless of budget.
Expected Completion for Eleven West
To be announced. Sales begin in fall/winter of 2017.
Are you interested in learning more about other homes in Kitsilano, Fairview, or Kerrisdale?
Check out these great Kitsilano Presales!
The post Eleven West Kitsilano – Pricing & Floor Plans appeared first on Mike Stewart.
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Richard Goode’s Master Class at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
I recently discovered this master class given by American concert pianist Richard Goode. It was filmed in London at the Milton Court Concert Hall at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, in December 2016. As always, there’s much to absorb from classes such as these, and this one showcases Classical repertoire (Beethoven’s Sonata in E major Op. 109 and Sonata in C minor Op. 111, and Haydn’s Sonata in A flat Hob XVI / 46), for which Goode is synonymous. I hope you enjoy!
from Melanie Spanswick http://ift.tt/2oHFHfK
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Mirabel at English Bay by Marcon – Pricing & Floor Plans To Come
At a Glance
- 153 West End homes
- 14- & 15-storey residential towers
- prime English Bay location
- 220 underground parking spaces
- close to Stanley Park
- near cafes, restaurants, shops
- staggered balconies
- generous open spaces & landscaping
The Gateway to English Bay
Marcon Developments has engaged the prestigious architectural firm of Henriquez Partners to bring you the superlative Mirabel on English Bay, an exceptional purchase opportunity in Vancouver’s vibrant West End. Two residential towers, rise 14 and 15 storeys above a podium and contain 153 condominiums. Private gardens are located on the rooftops of both towers. Balconies alternate with trellises at the corners to lighten and enliven the facade while maintaining privacy. The large expanses of the podium roof are populated with common outdoor spaces, landscaping and private patios.
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Find Out About New Presales & Get Access to VIP Openings & Special Promotions!
Mirabel at English Bay is ideally situated between the commercial areas of Davie Village and Denman Village with their eclectic mix of numerous cafes, shops, and restaurants. It also serves as a convenient base to experience the joys of summer, be it on the beach, in the park, strolling the neighbourhood, or on the water. The dazzling fireworks displays of the Festival of Lights and the colourful Gay Pride celebration are just two of Vancouver’s iconic annual events that are right on your doorstep. Perhaps most memorable of all are the magical English Bay sunsets to make a ritual end to your day.
Pricing for Mirabel at English Bay
As this project is in pre-construction, prices have not yet been published. Nevertheless, we recommend you sign up to our VIP list above for priority notification of pricing and availability.
Floor Plans for Mirabel at English Bay
While final plans have not been made public at this time, the following mix of residences are being proposed:
- 1 x studio
- 38 x 1-bedroom with seven different floor plans from 517-861 sq ft
- 52 x 2-bedroom with 12 different floor plans from 767-1,355 sq ft
- 10 x 2-bedroom + den at 1,355 sq ft
- 4 x 3-bedroom + den with two different floor plans from 2,180-2,526 sq ft
- 4 x 3-bedroom + flex + den with two different floor plans from 2,10-2,526 sq ft
Amenities at Mirabel at English Bay
A free-standing pavilion on the podium roof space between the east and west towers is envisioned, containing fitness facilities. The surrounding outdoor spaces will offer places for gathering, dining, and other similar activities. The east tower entrance boasts a water feature and courtyard, while the west tower condominium entrance also includes a water feature and hedge to provide an attractive separation from the laneway. On private tower rooftops, lush garden planting in cast-in-place planters, create outdoor garden rooms framed by layered greenery. Wood and stone pavers, along with grape vines on trellises, help layer and partition the private patios.
Parking and Storage
Four levels of underground parking will offer 220 parking spaces of which 157 are standard size, 57 are for small cars, 35 support electric vehicles, 10 are for visitors, and six are handicapped. There will also be two Class B loading bays and 192 horizontal or vertical Class A bicycle spaces of which 38 will be lockers.
Maintenance Fees at Mirabel at English Bay
Details will be included in finalized pricing.
Developer Team for Mirabel at English Bay
Beginning life as a construction company has given Marcon Developments the experience to deliver homes not only of high standards, but also of high value. Homes built with extra attention to detail – where the fit and finish is just that much better. Marcon has developed some notable residences over the years, such as the first high-rise in Canada to achieve LEED certification. Building to these standards helps to future-proof your home, as well as allowing you to breathe easy from the first day you move in.
Henriquez Partners Architects excels at complex, large-scale developments that aim to enrich local communities by seamlessly integrating ethics and aesthetics. They have received several awards for design excellence, including the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for the Lore Krill Housing Coop, the Trent Environmental Sciences Building, and the Sinclair Centre Federal Office Complex. Notable recent projects in Vancouver include the Woodward’s redevelopment, the BC Cancer Research Centre, and Telus Garden.
Expected Completion for Mirabel at English Bay
To be announced. Sales start in summer of 2017.
Are you interested in learning more about other homes in Yaletown, Downtown or near Chinatown?
Check out these great Downtown Vancouver Presales!
The post Mirabel at English Bay by Marcon – Pricing & Floor Plans To Come appeared first on Mike Stewart.
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Tuesday, April 4, 2017
March 2016 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics Package
Demand for homes continues to outpace supply in Metro Vancouver
A shortage of residential property listings coupled with strong demand, particularly for condos and townhomes, continued to impact Metro Vancouver’s housing market in March.
Residential property sales in the region totalled 3,579 in March 2017, a decrease of 30.8 per cent from the 5,173 sales recorded in record-breaking March 2016 and an increase of 47.6 per cent compared to February 2017 when 2,425 homes sold.
Last month’s sales were 7.9 per cent above the 10-year sales average for the month.
“While demand in March was below the record high of last year, we saw demand increase month-to-month for condos and townhomes,” Jill Oudil, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) president said. “Sellers still seem reluctant to put their homes on the market, making for stiff competition among home buyers.”
New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 4,762 in March 2017. This represents a decrease of 24.1 per cent compared to the 6,278 units listed in March 2016 and a 29.9 per cent increase compared to February 2017 when 3,666 properties were listed.
This is the lowest number of new listings in March since 2009.
The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 7,586, a 3.1 per cent increase compared to March 2016 (7,358) and a 0.1 per cent decrease compared to February 2017 (7,594).
The sales-to-active listings ratio for March 2017 is 47.2 per cent, a 15-point increase over February. Generally, analysts say that downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below the 12 per cent mark for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.
“Home prices will likely continue to increase until we see more housing supply coming on to the market,” Oudil said.
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $919,300. This represents a 0.8 per cent decrease over the past six months and a 1.4 per cent increase compared to February 2017.
Sales of detached properties in March 2017 reached 1,150, a decrease of 46.1 per cent from the 2,135 detached sales recorded in March 2016. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,489,400. This represents a 5.0 per cent decrease over the past six months and a one per cent increase compared to February 2017.
Sales of apartment properties reached 1,841 in March 2017, a decrease of 18.3 per cent compared to the 2,252 sales in March 2016.The benchmark price of an apartment property is $537,400. This represents a 5.2 per cent increase over the past six months and a 2.1 per cent increase compared to February 2017.
Attached property sales in March 2017 totalled 588, a decrease of 25.2 per cent compared to the 786 sales in March 2016. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $685,100. This represents a 1.3 per cent increase over the past six months and a 1.4 per cent increase compared to February 2017.
The post March 2016 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics Package appeared first on Mike Stewart.
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Sunday, April 2, 2017
Recommended Piano Resources for Spring 2017
Elementary/Early Intermediate
Play it again: PIANO – Book 1
Diversions Book 1 & 2
Two volumes for late elementary students written by Spanish composer Juan Cabeza and published by Piano Safari. Diversions Book 1 and Book 2 contain a collection of 42 patterned etudes for piano. Each etude focuses on a single technical pattern encountered by students in the early stages of piano study, including scales, arpeggios, chords, repeated notes, intervals, and other common pianistic patterns. The patterned structures make it easy for students to decode and understand the music. Most of the pieces are transposable allowing students to assimilate each concept thoroughly. These works range in difficulty from elementary to early intermediate level. I really like Juan’s music and I know young players (and teachers) will enjoy using these pieces in both lessons and concerts. Find out more and purchase here.
48 Easy Concert Pieces
Intermediate
The Entertainer
A new volume in the Pianissimo collection published by Schott Music; 100 entertaining pieces are suitable for intermediate players, and contain much-loved favourites such as The Entertainer, the soundtrack from Amélie, My Heart Will Go On from Titanic, Memories from Cats, My Way by Frank Sinatra, amongst others. ‘Classical Highlights’ feature Mozart’s Turkish March, Wagner’s famous Bridal Chorus, Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5. ‘Song Highlights’ contain catchy tunes from the areas of blues, gospel, and folk music, like Oh Happy Day, Down By The Riverside or Matilda. A mixture of original pieces and arrangements, there’s definitely something for everyone here! Buy your copy and find out more by clicking here.
Intermediate/ Advanced
Film Themes: The Piano Collection
Eastern Preludes
Advanced
La La Land
Birds; Études Tableaux for piano
Alberto Ginastera in Switzerland
Piano Courses
Almalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival
PIANO WEEK
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