The winners are:
Liz Gethings wins Book 1
Flora Tzanetaki wins Book 2
and, Rebekah Hanna wins Book 3
Congratulations! Please send your address via my contact page here on the blog, and your books will be on their way.
You can find out much more about these publications here.
Arranged in chapters, the volumes feature a collection of attractive pieces (both original (many by composer Heather Hammond) and arrangements), and provide a curriculum for teachers to work through with quick-learn studies, musicianship activities, sight-reading exercises and much theoretical information, helpful for those at this crucial stage.
I have three books to give away, so please leave your comments in the comment box at the end of this blog post and I will announce the winners on Monday evening (British time). Good luck!
You can find out more about the books here.
At a Glance
West Coast Modernism
With an absence of unnecessary ornaments, Evelyn utilizes a combination of natural raw materials that fit within its environment, creating beauty unique to its setting and embracing nature. Private terraces provide homeowners with their own garden space, accentuated by the natural surroundings and trees. The site and building orientation is organized so that everyone has southern views and ample sun exposure. Meticulous attention has been placed on the ground level experience, as well, with water features, wandering paths, and pedestrian walkways which are central to Evelyn’s urban expression.
Find Out About New Presales & Get Access to VIP Openings & Special Promotions!
Are you a realtor? Click here
West Vancouver offers some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in all of Canada. From the beaches of Ambleside and Dundarave, to the rocky shoreline of Lighthouse Park through to Howe Sound, this is an unparalleled playground. With 138 parks, seemingly endless public waterfront, and more than 100 kilometres of urban paths and wilderness trails, Evelyn is perfect for those who lead active lifestyles and value the time they spend outdoors as much as in. There’s no shortage of things to do, with year-round options at your doorstep ranging from sailing to skiing.
With all the charms and amenities offered in West Vancouver, you may rarely need to venture to downtown Vancouver. But if you do, the newly-redesigned Lions Gate Bridge on-amps and adjacent Taylor Way bus stops will take you there in minutes. With direct connections to Highway 1, Highway 99, and the ferries in Horseshoe Bay, your escapes to Bowen Island, the Sunshine Coast, and Whistler have never been easier.
Contact me today to learn about remaining opportunities to own in this established, master-planned community.
Pricing for Evelyn
Details have not yet been released. However, given the great popularity of Evelyn’s earlier phases, we strongly recommend you sign up to our VIP list above to ensure priority access to this incredible purchase opportunity.
Floor Plans for Evelyn
Onni’s Fall Feature Home for At Forest’s-Edge Three & Four is Plan B, a 2-bedroom + den designed for owners who have a sophisticated eye for style and detail.
Plan B
2 Bedroom + Den
Living: 1,125-1,145 sq ft (approx)
Outdoor: 170-175 sq ft (approx)
Total: 1,295-1,320 sq ft (approx)
Evelyn Interiors
Timeless Finishes
Spacious Kitchens
Luxurious Bathrooms
Amenities at Evelyn
Landscaping includes heritage and additional trees, tranquil gardens and water features, inviting walkways, paths community linkages. Two convenient footpaths run through the site to Park Royal. Ample, secured residential and visitor parking for vehicles and bicycles. A complete selection of urban amenities, personal services and shopping adjacent to the property. Convenient access to nearby waterside parks, beaches and community services. Oversized south facing terraces with landscaped framed edges, ranging from 100 – 1,600 sq ft.
Parking and Storage
There are 122 resident and 10 visitor vehicle spaces, and 53 bicycle stalls contained in the building’s three levels of underground parkade.
Maintenance Fees at Evelyn
Included in pricing information.
Developer Team for Evelyn
The Onni Group is one of North America’s leading private real estate developers, with extensive experience designing, developing, building and managing innovative projects. As a fully-integrated company that directly oversees every step in the development process, Onni has built over 10,000 homes. In addition, the company owns and manages more than 7 million square feet of commercial property, over 5,500 rental apartment units, and has an additional 10 million square feet in various stages of development. With offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Mexico, Onni continues to expand and diversify into new markets throughout North America.
Expected Completion for Evelyn
To be determined.
Are you interested in learning more about other homes in West or North Vancouver?
Check out these great North Shore Presales!
The post Evelyn by Onni – At Forest’s-Edge West Vancouver 2-Bedroom + Den Pre-Construction Homes appeared first on Mike Stewart.
At a Glance
Redefining Vancouver’s West End
This exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime offering in one of the world’s most desirable cities, can now be yours. Each home encompasses the entirety of a full floor and is comprised of a gracious and exceptionally well-appointed 2,200 plus square feet. Designed with the upmost consideration, these beautifully crafted residences have been entirely executed using only the finest finishing materials available. Inspiring and serene living is ensured. Boasting quintessential vistas of English Bay, ocean, mountains, Stanley Park and cityscape, 1245 Harwood offers the best of Pacific West Coast scenery. Now completed, this exceptional residential landmark tower stands alone as an iconic exemplar of quality and uniqueness.
Find Out About New Presales & Get Access to VIP Openings & Special Promotions!
Are you a realtor? Click here
Residing in the heart of the West End, 1245 Harwood is situated in one of downtown Vancouver’s longest established and most eclectic neighbourhoods. Where nature meets the downtown core, one can bike the the seawall, the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path, then conveniently dine in one of Vancouver’s top upscale restaurants. Sunbathing on the beach and shopping along The Golden Mile, Vancouver’s high-end retail district, are all within walking distance. Amenities and activities range from community centres and farmers markets to local festivals, numerous parks, and beaches. The West End’s diversity and natural environment characterize the community, making it one of Vancouver’s most desirable places to live.
Pricing for 1245 Harwood
Offered from $5.8 million.
Floor Plans for 1245 Harwood
Contact me today to discuss this outstanding purchase opportunity.
1245 Harwood Interiors
Master Bath
Second Ensuite Bath
Powder Room
Amenities at 1245 Harwood
Landscaped courtyard with Western Canada’s oldest-living, non-native deciduous tree and a street level reflecting pond.
Parking and Storage
One level of underground parking.
Maintenance Fees at 1245 Harwood
Details provided in offer.
Developer Team for 1245 Harwood
Acadia Development awarded the design of 1245 Harwood to Bing Thom Architects. Bing Thom is an innovative and global architectural and urban design practice with an emphasis on community-minded work. Founded in 1982, the firm has a core staff of 50 who, in addition to architecture and planning, bring expertise in engineering, sustainable building, interior design, project management, landscape design, and construction. With offices in Vancouver, Hong Kong, and Washington, DC, Bing Thom is known for design excellence and the ability to integrate site master planning, architecture and urban design into a compelling vision that inspires individuals, institutions and communities to do great things.
Expected Completion for 1245 Harwood
Completed. Selling now.
Are you interested in learning more about other homes in Yaletown, Downtown, or near Chinatown?
Check out these great Downtown Vancouver Presales!
The post 1245 Harwood – Availability, Plans, Prices appeared first on Mike Stewart.
Apartment and townhome activity is outpacing the detached home market across Metro Vancouver. This activity helped push total residential sales above the historical average in September.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in the region totalled 2,821 in September 2017, a 25.2 per cent increase from the 2,253 sales recorded in September 2016, and a 7.3 per cent decrease compared to August 2017 when 3,043 homes sold.
Last month’s sales were 13.1 per cent above the 10-year September sales average.
“Our detached homes market is balanced today, while apartment and townhome sales remain in sellers’ market territory,” Jill Oudil, REBGV president said. “If you’re looking to enter the market, as either a buyer or seller, it’s important to understand these trends and use this information to set realistic expectations.”
There were 5,375 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in September 2017. This represents a 12 per cent increase compared to the 4,799 homes listed in September 2016 and a 26.6 per cent increase compared to August 2017 when 4,245 homes were listed.
The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,466, a 1.2 per cent increase compared to September 2016 (9,354) and a 7.5 per cent increase compared to August 2017 (8,807).
“Detached homes made up 30 per cent of all sales in September and represented 62 per cent of all the homes listed for sale on the MLS®,” said Oudil. “This dynamic has slowed the pace of upward pressure that we’ve seen on detached home prices in our market over the last few years.”
For all property types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for September 2017 is 29.8 per cent. By property type, the ratio is 14.6 per cent for detached homes, 42.3 per cent for townhomes, and 60.4 per cent for apartments.
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.
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,037,300. This represents a 10.9 per cent increase over September 2016 and a 0.7 per cent increase compared to August 2017.
Sales of detached properties in September 2017 reached 852, a 27.9 per cent increase from the sales recorded in September 2016 (666), a decrease of 33 per cent from September 2015 (1,272), and a decrease of 32.9 per cent from September 2014 (1,270). The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,617,300. This represents a 2.9 per cent increase from September 2016 and a 0.1 per cent increase compared to August 2017.
Sales of apartment properties reached 1,451 in September 2017, a 19.1 per cent increase compared from the sales recorded in September 2016 (1,218), a 5.1 per cent decrease from September 2015 (1,529), and a 22.1 per cent increase from September 2014 (1,188). The benchmark price of an apartment property is $635,800. This represents a 21.7 per cent increase from September 2016 and a 1.4 per cent increase compared to August 2017.
Attached property sales in September 2017 totalled 518, a 40.4 per cent increase compared to the sales recorded in September 2016 (369), a 4.8 per cent decrease from September 2015 (544), and an 11.6 per cent increase from September 2014 (464). The benchmark price of an attached home is $786,600. This represents a 14.5 per cent increase from September 2016 and a 1.1 per cent increase compared to August 2017.
The post September 2017 Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Statistics Package with Charts & Graphs appeared first on Mike Stewart.
At a Glance
Naturally Modern
Located at the corner of Bewicke Avenue and 15th Street, these 52 homes are defined by elements of moodier design, tucked away in a neighbourhood known for family-friendly living. Designed by notable Pennyfarthing Homes, Creston’s one- to three-bedroom homes are distinctively crafted to appeal to modern needs and tastes. The smart, open-concept layouts are functional and bright, while the warm palettes are a timeless display of style. While living here is tranquil, you are always close to the urban amenities of Marine Drive and Lonsdale, the recreation of Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon, and the city energy of downtown Vancouver.
Find Out About New Presales & Get Access to VIP Openings & Special Promotions!
Are you a realtor? Click here
Pricing for Creston
Creston is currently in pre-construction. Pennyfarthing has not yet released pricing information. Given the success of Pennyfarthing’s recemt projects, we expect Creston to sell out quickly. Sign up to our VIP list today to ensure you receive updates on all the latest developments.
Floor Plans for Creston
Creston will offer the following adaptable mix of North Shore residences:
Contact me to discuss availability, plans, and pricing.
Amenities at Creston
A residential amenity room, including a communal kitchen and seating area, is located on the ground floor of the building, opening onto a shared patio space and amenity garden in the courtyard.
Parking and Storage
Creston will provide 87 vehicle stalls in two levels of underground parking, of which six are for visitors, 10 are commercial, and six are handicapped. Secure bicycle parking will be available in 91 stalls, including 25 vertical spaces, 21 lockers, 12 short-term stalls, and two commercial spaces.
Maintenance Fees at Creston
To be determined.
Developer Team for Creston
Since its formation in 1980, Pennyfarthing Homes has fulfilled the home ownership dreams of nearly 3,000 home buyers throughout the Lower Mainland, Washington State, and California, all the while setting exacting standards of integrity, reliability and professionalism. Recent developments from Pennyfarthing featured here include Bennington House, Grayson, Hawthorne, and Basalt.
Shift Architecture is a high-performance practice with a track record of respected, inspired projects throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. With proven expertise in multi-family housing, Shift boasts a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, healthcare, and mixed-use developments. Renowned for its collaborative design process, Shift’s team of core personnel draws upon a deep collective well of experience spanning decades.
Portico Design Group has been selected to bring Creston’s interiors to life through creative use of space, colour, and texture with their vast in-house library. Portico provides full interior design services for residential and commercial real estate developers, resort operators, and private home owners in Canada and the United States.
]
Expected Completion for Creston
Sales start Fall 2017.
Are you interested in learning more about other homes in West or North Vancouver?
Check out these great North Shore Presales!
The post Creston – Plans, Prices, Availability appeared first on Mike Stewart.
One aspect I particularly like about Trinity College exams, is the concept of a candidate presenting one of their own pieces (as the third piece option). Surely an imaginative and forward-thinking idea which can only encourage composition, and hence invite students to delve deeper into the compositional and analytical process of piano writing. As always, I’ve added a recording for each chosen piece (selected from one of the many on YouTube).
Here are my selections and practice tips:
A lovely tuneful movement in a Classical style, German composer Köhler is known for his sonatas and sonatines for young players. This work, in the key of G major, is bright, breezy, with a darker central section in E minor, and it offers many useful piano techniques: staccato combined with legato, left hand melody, short slurs and plenty of dynamic variation too.
2. Garden Path by Elissa Milne (1967 – )
There’s much to enjoy in this piece by Australian composer Elissa Milne. A reflective tranquil mood is offset with ‘blues’ inflections and an atmospheric resonance created by the inclusion of the sustaining pedal. This provides an excellent contrast to the first piece.
3. Matsuri (Japanese Festival) by Michael McMillan (1980 – )
Full of vibrant colour and rhythmic energy, this work is fun to play and compliments my selected pieces from lists A and B, nicely. Composer Michael McMillan has created the Japanese ‘sound’ with open fifth intervals in the accompaniment and a colourful offbeat, quirky melody.
My Books:
For much more information about practising repertoire, take a look at my two-book piano course, Play it again: PIANO (Schott). Covering a huge array of styles and genres, 49 progressive pieces from approximately Grade 1 – 8 are featured, with at least two pages of practice tips for every piece.
If you’re thinking about learning to play the piano, my guide-book, So You Want To Play The Piano? (Alfred) is full of useful help and support.
The Faber Music Piano Anthology (Faber) is also a valuable resource for those who desire a collection of standard repertoire from Grades 2 – 8, featuring 78 pieces in total.
My Compositions:
I have written a selection of educational piano music (both solo and duet) and you can hear it and find out much more here: EVC Music Publications.
