[metroXpress]

http://www.aspac.ca/images/River-green_Logo-size2.jpg

River Green:
Metro Vancouver’s Newest Urban Waterfront Community

Soon, a new urban waterfront community will rise on the banks of the Fraser River – designed and built by the team that brought Coal Harbour to Vancouver.

River Green will be built on a 28-acres parcel of waterfront just west of the Oak Street Bridge in Richmond. Like Coal Harbour, it will have upscale residences with dramatic waterfront and mountain views, and ample parkland with cafés, waterfront restaurants, and shops dotted along a winding waterfront promenade.

And this new waterfront utopia will have something no other master-planned community in the Lower Mainland has – a state-of-the-art sports and wellness centre, a legacy of the 2010 Olympic Games.

Fifteen years ago, Aspac saw a winner in Coal Harbour and, standing on the Oval grounds today, we’re having a remarkable sense of déjà vu.

http://www.aspac.ca/images/rg_banner.jpg

(quoted from ASPAC)

Visit their website: http://www.aspac.ca/rivergreen.html

[SpongeG]

isn't the casino just west of the oak street bridge?

[mr.x]

^ yes.


Anyhow, more renderings.


http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/UPDATED_Exterior_Festival_Plaza_View_-_Fullsize12322.jpg
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/UPDATED_Exterior_Neighbourhood_View_-_Fullsize12326.jpg
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/UPDATED_Exterior_Plaza_View_-_Fullsize12323.jpg
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/UPDATED_Exterior_Plaza_View_2_-_Fullsize12327.jpg
http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/UPDATED_Exterior_Plaza_View_3_-_Fullsize12328.jpg

[jlousa]

Looks good, all that's missing is a ferris wheel. :haha: j/k

A little tweaking and that area should be vibrant and welcoming in a decade.

[metroXpress]

Looks good, all that's missing is a ferris wheel. :haha: j/k

A little tweaking and that area should be vibrant and welcoming in a decade.

Still thinking about the ferris wheel...we should have something more creative other than that. Perhaps another new skyscraper to break the current new record in Dubai??

^ yes.


Anyhow, more renderings.


Thanks for those MrX2!! You are great at providing pics!
Thank you sooooo much :)

[SpongeG]

so where is it going?

to the east of the casino? or to the west? where the gravel pit or whatever it is is

[mr.x]

so where is it going?

to the east of the casino? or to the west? where the gravel pit or whatever it is is

It's going at the Olympic oval.

[SpongeG]

well why reference the oak street bridge

geez louise

[agrant]

Looks good, all that's missing is a ferris wheel. :haha: j/k

A little tweaking and that area should be vibrant and welcoming in a decade.Vibrant? >>>> "designed and built by the team that brought Coal Harbour to Vancouver." :) It will need a ferris wheel, or at least some bumper cars.

[Metro-One]

:previous: That is just what i was thinking, oh boy, more of the same! I doubt it will be as active as shown, unless they actually do bring in festivals and performers as pictured, that would be nice. But seeing how it is another "upper class" project the area will be dead by 6 and owned by people overseas looking for an investment or vacation house. Some more inspiring architecture could not hurt either.

[metroXpress]

:previous: That is just what i was thinking, oh boy, more of the same! I doubt it will be as active as shown, unless they actually do bring in festivals and performers as pictured, that would be nice. But seeing how it is another "upper class" project the area will be dead by 6 and owned by people overseas looking for an investment or vacation house. Some more inspiring architecture could not hurt either.

I understand exactly what you mean....only if they could lower the prices
and make it affordable for the locals. Seeing the Harbour Green Series with little occupancy...I hope this doesn't happen to the River Green Community too :shrug:

[eduardo88]

i love how everything is marketed as "waterfront". seriously, how desirable is a waterfront property in richmond? especially when it faces the airport haha

[paradigm4]

I hate the fact that they are touting it's a high class, executive community. Shouldn't we be encouraging the development of mixed-use, mixed-income communities? And why should only the rich get to enjoy a Concord Pacific community?

Frustrating...

[Coldrsx]

i love how everything is marketed as "waterfront". seriously, how desirable is a waterfront property in richmond? especially when it faces the airport haha

haha... exactly.

[Spork]

i love how everything is marketed as "waterfront". seriously, how desirable is a waterfront property in richmond? especially when it faces the airport haha

How long will it be before they put a pond in everybody's backyard (or large fountain) and markets it as waterfront?

[SpongeG]

i love how everything is marketed as "waterfront". seriously, how desirable is a waterfront property in richmond? especially when it faces the airport haha

i would love to live next to the airport - seriously i love hanging out there

[metroXpress]

i would love to live next to the airport - seriously i love hanging out there

Are you sure that you can live with the planes passing by your house everyday? I love hanging out at the airport but I can't stand the noise.

:shrug: Good or bad...you can decide

[SpongeG]

probably would get used to it

[metroXpress]

probably would get used to it

I would be amazed if you can stand the noise!

[city-dweller]

I wonder if this development will come with a good transportation plan. Unlike East Fraserlands. I would like to see either a transit provision connecting to the RAV line (including the Oval) funded with the developer, the CoR and translink. Transit and high end didn't really happen in Coal harbour. (I know city has provision for street car route) In addition having improvements for a Fraser river bike/walkway would be great too. (I mean improving existing infrastructure and connectivity) I am a fan of the project. I want to also say I called it 6 years ago when the last of Vancouver's water front was bought up that the Fraser will be the new water front.

[David]

I hate the fact that they are touting it's a high class, executive community. Shouldn't we be encouraging the development of mixed-use, mixed-income communities? And why should only the rich get to enjoy a Concord Pacific community?

Frustrating...

agreed. now richmond can be resort-ified

[metroXpress]

agreed. now richmond can be resort-ified

Oh..come on! Let's not hope that that will happen.
Onni has some lands there too! Besides Concord Pacific. These two
were both at the Richmond Winterfest that day..

[mooks28]

The presentation centre for this thing looks like it's close to opening next to the Oval

[tybuilding]

http://www.rivergreen.com/

[SpikePhanta]

Meh, I would end up going there maybe 1-2 every two months.

[Pinion]

How long will it be before they put a pond in everybody's backyard (or large fountain) and markets it as waterfront?

Ever heard of The Villages in Florida? They lined the tract housing with artificial slime-filled ponds (and hundreds of golf courses). I'll let google maps tell the story (http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=the+villages,+florida&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=The+Villages,+Sumter,+Florida,+United+States&gl=ca&ei=A9W_S-rpO46StgOqrMSCBQ&ved=0CAwQ8gEwAA&ll=28.939284,-81.968694&spn=0.017577,0.027595&t=h&z=15).

And that's just the start of the horrors there.

[dleung]

http://www.aspac.ca/images/RiverGreen_Logo_TM_150.jpg http://civicscene.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/vancouver-greencapital-300x180.jpg

Who copied who? I know the city spent $255,730 on theirs.... anyone else tired of the Vanoc colours? A host of european cities will argue that simply wanting to be the greenest city doesn't make you a "green capital"

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/images/applicants_2010/stockholm_winner_171px.jpg http://www.hamburg.de/contentblob/1204020/data/logo-european-green-capital-winner.jpg

But I digress...

[tybuilding]

Ever heard of The Villages in Florida? They lined the tract housing with artificial slime-filled ponds (and hundreds of golf courses). I'll let google maps tell the story (http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=the+villages,+florida&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=The+Villages,+Sumter,+Florida,+United+States&gl=ca&ei=A9W_S-rpO46StgOqrMSCBQ&ved=0CAwQ8gEwAA&ll=28.939284,-81.968694&spn=0.017577,0.027595&t=h&z=15).

And that's just the start of the horrors there.

Isn't this just a typical sprawl subdivision of retired florida snowbirds and seniors out in the middle of no where?

[SpongeG]

isn't "the villages" the thing that Disney did? to create an idealic USA town with a main street and old values blah blah blah

[idunno]

That would be "Celebration Village" right next to Disney World. Kinda creepy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration,_Florida

[Zassk]

Not sure if there is any new news in this, but it was on the Vancouver Sun web site today:

Massive housing development being built in Richmond
METRO VANCOUVER — A 2,600-unit development of luxury housing is being built on a 28-acre site near the Richmond Olympic Oval, the developer said in a press release Monday.

Aspac Developments, which turned an old railyard into the Coal Harbour development on the Vancouver waterfront, said the River Green project in Richmond will take 10 to 15 years to complete.

"River Green will be one of the largest residential construction projects in Metro Vancouver history, and a spectacular legacy of the 2010 Winter Games," Aspac said.

The official launch of the development is being made Tuesday by Aspac and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

Aspac's website said River Green "will be the largest and most upscale master-planned community ever built in Richmond, with over three million square feet of residential and commercial property.

"Like Coal Harbour, it will have upscale residences with dramatic waterfront and mountain views, and ample parkland with cafes, waterfront restaurants, and shops dotted along a winding waterfront promenade," the company said.

...

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Massive+housing+development+being+built+Richmond/2953780/story.html

[huenthar]

I'm starting to get a serious hate-on for the term "upscale" :hell: In development-marketing-speak it's become a catch-all term to associate positive warm fuzzy feelings with deliberate social exclusion...

[Smooth]

Richmond plans massive condo project
METRO VANCOUVER/CKNW AM 980
Nafeesa Karim
4/27/2010

The city of Richmond has unveiled a massive waterfront development surrounding the Olympic Oval.

The project will be built on 28 acres of land over the next 10 to 15 years.

The entire project will have around two dozen buildings flanking the oval, a total of 26-hundred units.

These will be high-end, luxury waterfront units according to ASPAC Developments, the same developers of Vancouver's Coal Harbour.

Architect James Cheng says measures will be in place in case of an earthquake or flooding.

http://www.cknw.com/Pics/richmond.jpg
http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1223264

[wrenegade]

Dammit! James Cheng again! Get ready for more green glass! I am not surprised, but still disappointed. Maybe the city will pressure the architect to draw themes from the fantastic Oval design. I'm probably dreaming there, but it'd be nice.

[itinerant]

That model makes it look VERY dense.

[officedweller]

and it makes the Oval look out of place.

[Vancity]

To be honest, I'm intrigued with this development, and what it's going to look like. They need to surround that area with more transit, or else Richmond's just going to be congested (if not already) with a ton of cars on the road.

Get more buses going to more places with apartments, so that people have more options than just driving (and please, the frequency of those buses, please, please increase them). I have lived and been to HK several times, and I love the frequency of their buses. If Vancouver wants to model itself and pride itself in its transportation, look to HK. They are one of the best at it.

[Zassk]

It's too bad this is so far from the Canada Line (about 1 km to Lansdowne Station on the nearest side).

I'm really heartened to hear that the new perimeter road and riverside park will be going ahead in tandem with this project. They've been in the plans for my whole life, and I'm over 35.

[SpongeG]

Condo plan marks Richmond’s passage from suburb to city

Frances Bula

Vancouver-like mixed-use development will feature 2,600 units, clusters of urban shopping, packed into land along Fraser River

The view in front of the latest set of luxury condos to be unveiled here is Vancouver-beautiful.

The mountains in the distance are spectacular under a wide blue sky dotted with puffy white spring clouds. A pastoral walkway winds along the water, rippling under a light wind. And, in the other direction, the clustered towers of the downtown poke up, a beacon indicating some of the best restaurants in the city.

This isn’t Vancouver, though. It’s Richmond, the city that used to be one of Vancouver’s main bedroom suburbs.

It’s also where Aspac Developments Ltd., the company that built some of Vancouver’s highest-end condos on the Coal Harbour waterfront, has decided to create a luxurious spa-like condo community with 2,600 units, along with clusters of urban shopping, packed densely into 12 hectares of land along the Fraser River.

Other Vancouver suburbs have big developments, but the River Green project will help Richmond create a dense central neighbourhood of 120,000 that extends from its main intersection, No. 3 Road and Westminster Highway. That makes this development a symbolic marker of Richmond’s passage from suburb to city.

“It’s the embracing of urbanity on a scale that wouldn’t have been imaginable a decade ago,” said urban specialist Gordon Price, a former Vancouver city councillor. “It’s a sign of Richmond being willing to take a chance.”

With Aspac’s emphasis on a high-end product, it’s also a sign that Vancouver isn’t the only place that can sell itself as an urban resort. And, with Richmond’s decision to include affordable housing in the project – either a shelter, supported housing, or low-cost rental units – it is demonstrating that it is also prepared to tackle urban problems.

For most of its existence, Richmond, built on a river delta just to the south of Vancouver, was renowned for the way it epitomized suburbia. At one time mostly farmland, with the fishing village of Steveston in the southwest, it became known for its generic split levels and monster homes on cul-de-sacs, all set inside giant square tracts of land bordered by six-lane roads. Shopping was concentrated in giant malls and big-box stores along No. 3 Road.

It also focused all its energies on the interior of the island and ignored the water surrounding it.

That’s been changing for several years and is going to change even more.

“The Canada Line transformed our city,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. In preparation for the line’s trajectory down No. 3 Road, his city planners created a completely new downtown plan with “transit villages” around each of the stations that would create a dense central city with a population three times its current level of about 40,000.

“And the push now is to take our city centre and push it all the way to the waterfront where River Green is,” he said.

Aspac was encouraged to develop such a large and expensive project in Richmond for several reasons. For one, at 45 per cent of the population, the Chinese have brought new wealth into the city and helped support a Chinese-restaurant boom that has put Richmond on the foodie map.

Even more important, the city had shown it was eager to grow and encourage density, say the project’s architect, James Cheng, and its marketing rep, George Wong. “I think their vision is what sold Aspac,” Mr. Cheng said.

He will be designing a development that is both similar to and quite different from the Vancouver model. Like the Vancouver version, the 2,600 units will be part of a mixed-use community, with retail, businesses, parks and civic facilities embedded.

...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/condo-plan-marks-richmonds-passage-from-suburb-to-city/article1550428/

[metroXpress]

What was the secondary structure beside the Oval used for during the Olympics? Was it for the media?

Then what will it be now?

[SpongeG]

the cube like thing? i think its going to be a restaurant

[Zassk]

It's the sales office for River Green for the next n years, and yes it will later become a restaurant.

[Coldrsx]

woo... "highend" in richmond along a "river" beside an airport and adjacent to medium industrial and manufacturing.

where do i sign up

[Zassk]

Well, a lot of people own/buy million-dollar houses just down the road from there, so evidently the location does appeal. :)

As bodies of water go, the middle arm is pretty similar to False Creek, and has nearly the same potential.

[bils]

woo... "highend" in richmond along a "river" beside an airport and adjacent to medium industrial and manufacturing.

where do i sign up

:previous:

it's not a river? :yes:

the industrial and manufacturing buildings in the vicinity will not be around for a long. just do a quick drive through the area and you'll see the number of rezoning applications in front of buildings surrounding river green.

[bils]

an email was sent out today to people who have registered on their website.

community map (http://www.mylasso.com/FileWarehouse/Users/User_7919/Documents/River%20Green%20-%20Phase%201%20Map.pdf)

prices & options (http://www.mylasso.com/FileWarehouse/Users/User_7919/Documents/River%20Green%20-%20Inventory%20Summary.pdf)

[Spork]

an email was sent out today to people who have registered on their website.

community map (http://www.mylasso.com/FileWarehouse/Users/User_7919/Documents/River%20Green%20-%20Phase%201%20Map.pdf)

prices & options (http://www.mylasso.com/FileWarehouse/Users/User_7919/Documents/River%20Green%20-%20Inventory%20Summary.pdf)

My brain just imploded. Is that high for Richmond?

[wrenegade]

That pricing seems out of this world. Wow. Best of luck to Aspac trying to sell it. If I wanted to pay SEFC prices, I'd actually want to live there, not across from an Airport.

[Spork]

I guess to be fair, they are decently large. I think? $620/sq ft. Isn't that normal?

[dleung]

More like $700 to over $1000 per square foot here. That's average downtown prices. Richmond is typically $500 to $750 per square foot, so this is significantly more expensive. It looks like most of the units are over $1M. They're huge though... guess they actually meant it when they said upscale.

[Zassk]

That is the most expensive part of Richmond, but these prices will, um, set new standards (or not). There are a lot of houses in that area at $1-2 million. Condos, not so much....

Still, on a day like today, it was obvious that they will have incredible views. There is literally nothing on Sea Island blocking the view of the North Shore mountains, and the estuary is pretty great to look at on a sunny day.

[wrenegade]

I will give them that, the views are fantastic, walking over the No. 2 road bridge (which is a good-looking bridge in it's own right) you have a fantastic view of the mountains. Still though, you're across from the airport.

[BCPhil]

I will give them that, the views are fantastic, walking over the No. 2 road bridge (which is a good-looking bridge in it's own right) you have a fantastic view of the mountains. Still though, you're across from the airport.

Not just across from the airport but basically right between 2 of the possible flight paths right at the foot of the runways where it would be loudest.

[tybuilding]

My brain just imploded. Is that high for Richmond?

Prices are 2 to 3 times the amount for a similar size to my 3 year old 2000 ft2 townhome in Newton. Still 2 times for a brand new townhome in Delta at the development along Nordel Way.

[Zassk]

^ Richmond is a lot more expensive than those places you guys mentioned above. Most of these River Green units are larger than what's on the market. Looking at the smaller units at River Green, the price is about 20% more expensive than similar condo towers in the area. A little Googling gave me these:

Flo - 900 sq. ft for $479k
Paloma - 800 sq. ft for $365k
Argentum - 1000 sq. ft for $419k
Centro - 880 sq. ft for $395k
Prado - 860-980 sq. ft for $520k
Versante - 900 sq. ft for $450k

Here's a map of these and similar places in the area. (http://www.gvrd.com/real_estate_new_housing/richmond.html)

River Green - 900 sq. ft for $500k-600k

Note that all of the others are within walking distance of Canada Line, and those closest appear to have inflated accordingly, while River Green (this phase at least) is more than 1 km away.

[bils]

not quite river green, but just across the street:

from the richmond review: link (http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/94539109.html)

Onni planning trio of towers near Olympic oval

http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/47596richmondonniovaldevelopment.jpg

Onni has put in motion a plan to build three high-rise towers next to the Richmond Olympic Oval, weeks after another developer unveiled plans for nearly 20 towers in the same area.

By Matthew Hoekstra - Richmond Review
Published: May 20, 2010 4:00 PM
Updated: May 20, 2010 4:28 PM

Onni has put in motion a plan to build three high-rise towers next to the Richmond Olympic Oval, weeks after another developer unveiled plans for nearly 20 towers in the same area.

Onni wants to turn a largely-vacant industrial business park site along River Road, at 6951 Elmbridge Way and across from the oval, into 325 residential and live/work units.

The plan, presented to city council's planning committee this week, also calls for 115,462 square feet of ground-floor retail and commercial space—nearly one-third the total project size.

It's another sign of rapid change in City Centre, where light industry is moving out after an area plan change inflated land prices and pushed property taxes sky-high.

Last month, Aspac Developments unveiled its River Green neighbourhood, which will bring massive change to the Middle Arm riverfront.

According to a staff report, Onni's towers will boast amenities that include lap pool and squash courts. The developer also plans to restore a section of the Hollybridge Canal.

Of the 325 units, 238 will be market residential, 18 will be affordable rental housing and 69 will be live/work dwellings.

Onni also built Flo, a three-tower development steps away on Elmbridge Way.

The project must first pass the test of a public hearing before council approval.

The city's plan for the oval neighbourhood envisions a pedestrian-oriented streetscape with ground-floor retail and restaurants with narrow shop fronts and direct access to the public sidewalk.

[MolsonExport]

So much going on in Richmond. The place was very sparse when I first moved there in 1995.

[Zassk]

Man... glad to see these high-density developments, but this area sure needs a streetcar or LRT connection to Canada Line... I wonder when the city council will get it in their heads to contemplate a $50-100 million line along Lansdowne Road or something like that. There is a whole cluster of high rises at the other end of Lansdowne Road (at Garden City) that are also just outside of the Canada Line catchment area. One 2-3 km line could connect both areas to the core.

[Hitmonlee]

Man... glad to see these high-density developments, but this area sure needs a streetcar or LRT connection to Canada Line... I wonder when the city council will get it in their heads to contemplate a $50-100 million line along Lansdowne Road or something like that. There is a whole cluster of high rises at the other end of Lansdowne Road (at Garden City) that are also just outside of the Canada Line catchment area. One 2-3 km line could connect both areas to the core.

How would an LRT line on Landsdowne help? Landsdowne Road ends at Minoru Road which is only 2 blocks from the Landsdowne Canada Line Station.

[Zassk]

How would an LRT line on Landsdowne help? Landsdowne Road ends at Minoru Road which is only 2 blocks from the Landsdowne Canada Line Station.

Lansdowne Road will be extended to the oval within the next year or so. Two new blocks of Lansdowne were completed in time for the Olympics (at Gilbert), but there's a gap as you noted.

Ackroyd/Elmbridge are also going to be connected together in the same time frame. A street grid is slowly taking shape.

[jlousa]

Sales have been going really well on this project, even better then they expected. Apparently they've already topped $130M in sales. Have to admit I'm surprised by the strength at the high end of the market.

[deasine]

Sales have been going really well on this project, even better then they expected. Apparently they've already topped $130M in sales. Have to admit I'm surprised by the strength at the high end of the market.

I'm surprised they are able to sell at such outrageous prices... FOR RICHMOND. It's a surprisingly quiet area though. It's right across from the airport; you would expect it to be a little louder.

This is definitely a case where the Chinese Mainlanders are buying these kinds of properties. I believe they have reported that at least "60%" are mainlanders. Don't quote me entirely though.

[Zassk]

River Green already half-sold

http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/39228richmondRiverGreennewprojectWEB.jpg
By Martin van den Hemel - Richmond Review
Published: June 16, 2010 3:00 PM
Updated: June 17, 2010 10:51 AM

At noon on Saturday, the doors at River Green's $9 million sales and presentation centre will swing open, and the first homes at the Richmond Olympic Oval residential district will be available for sale to the general public.

It's expected to be a milestone moment for the waterfront neighbourhood which will transform into Richmond's answer to Yaletown or Coal Harbour in the coming decade, according to developer Aspac Developments.

Richmond realtor Patsy Hui has heard plenty of buzz about the project in recent weeks, including word that the bulk of the best units have already been gobbled up by investors and realtors.

"I heard that it's mostly sold already," Hui said Wednesday.

Sales director Lily Korstanje confirmed that 75 of the first 150 units being released this week have already been sold.

And Korstanje anticipates all 150 units to sell out quickly.

She assured the public that many units have been held back from sale to this point, to make them available on Saturday.

But if you need financing, don't bother showing up.

To this point, no purchase offers containing subjects have been accepted. That means people are paying in cash.

And with a 25-per-cent down payment, a $500,000 condo will set you back $125,000 today for a property that won't be done for at least two years.

Some 3,000 people have registered their names for the properties, Korstanje said, a sign of the heavy interest.

According to Hui, one of her clients inquired about the available units, and was told that most of the prime upper floor locations have already been sold, and that only the lower floor units were still available, she said.

Hui anticipates that would-be buyers will line-up long before the presentation centre opens Saturday.

Asked whether there's rampant speculation buying, Hui said she'd term it confidence-of-the-future buying. But she doesn't doubt that some speculators will be trying to flip their units before the project is ultimately completed in a couple years.

She's also heard that a group of buyers has purchased between 10 and 15 units, though Korstanje said that's not true of the Richmond project, but rather another Lower Mainland development.

Magnum Projects is marketing the first phase at River Green, the six tiered towers, the tallest standing 13 storeys.

At more than $700 per square foot for some units, the prices at River Green are on par with Kitsilano, but Korstanje notes that some units are affordable at $550 per square foot.

Magnum principal George Wong has described it as "the most significant waterfront community in Canada, right here in Richmond."

Korstanje said top-notch finishings and breathtaking views of the Fraser River and North Shore Mountains, along with a concierge service and resort-class amenities, will help River Green live up to buyers expectations.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/96514714.html

[wrenegade]

I am continually stunned at how this project is going, first at their prices, then how well sales are going, and now to learn that most are in cash? Go China Go! lol.

[Zassk]

They are getting plenty of press...


Chapter 1 of River Green ‘story’ a page turner

$9-million sales centre, $90 million in sales to ‘VIPs’ inaugurate 15-year campaign

By Claudia Kwan, The Vancouver Sun June 18, 2010 5:02 PM

River Green

Project location: Hollybridge Way and River Road, Richmond

Project size: Six buildings with 458 units in Phase 1

Residence size: 1-bed 700 sq. ft.; 1 bed + den 800 sq. ft.; 2-bed + den 1,280 sq. ft.; 3-bed + den 1,950 sq. ft.; town houses 1,470 sq. ft.; 4-bed + den villas 3,640 sq. ft.

Prices: 1-bed from $542,000; 2-bed from $613,000; townhouses from $829,000; 4-bed + den villas from $3.2 million

Developer: ASPAC Developments

Architect: James KM Cheng Architects Inc.

Interior Design: Scott Trepp, Trepp Design

Sales centre: 5111 Hollybridge Way

Hours: 10 a.m. — 6 p.m., daily

Telephone: 604-233-2633

Web: rivergreen.com

Occupancy: Summer 2013

By Claudia Kwan

Imagine a place where you can stroll by expansive vistas of water, and perhaps be greeted every so often by a golden retriever sniffing around for intriguing scents.

You nod hello to seniors out for a walk, or joggers and cyclists doing a quick round of cardio, and or families out for some fresh air.

You ponder stopping off for breakfast at a local café, but instead amble home through perfectly landscaped gardens, eventually arriving at the front door of your luxury home.

Inside, you can make yourself a cup of java from your built-in espresso maker, or scramble some eggs on your top-of-the-line stove before beginning your day.

It’s not Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver; it’s Richmond.

This is the vision being painted at the sales office for ASPAC Development’s River Green. In fact, it’s not even being called a sales office.

The $9-million structure, designed by River Green Phase 1 architect James Cheng, has been dubbed a “story centre.”

Prospective buyers will find the 19,000-square-foot building tucked away behind the Richmond Olympic Oval. When they enter, they will be greeted by an indoor fountain meant to evoke the water surrounding the “island” of River Green outside.

Just past the fountain, glossy white interactive models tell the tales of local landmarks. including the Gulf of Georgia cannery in Steveston, Finn Slough, and the heritage London Farm.

There are also massive video screens that can be used to display anything from triumphant moments during the 2010 Olympics, to cartoons designed to amuse fractious children of buyers.

On the third level, there are three show suites intended to demonstrate the sumptuous lifestyle into which River Green purchasers are buying. All the little details have been considered, from a cutlery tray in the dishwashers – perfect for cleaning up after entertaining – to the aforementioned built-in espresso-maker.

River Green marketer George Wong of Magnum Projects says there’s already been incredible interest, with more than 3,000 people registering online to receive advance information about the project.

He predicts about $90 million in agreements of sales and purchase will have been signed by end of day Friday, on about 120 homes.

That’s even before the marketing campaign makes any sorties overseas.

“The buyers are VIPs from Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, and the North Shore,” says Wong.

“They’re looking for an exclusive, high-end lifestyle.”

He adds they’re embracing the idea that this is the Richmond equivalent of Coal Harbour – and trying to get in on the ground level.

This is the first push for an ambitious 2,600-unit master-planned community on 11.2 acres of waterfront between the No. 2 Road and Dinsmore bridges in Richmond. Developer ASPAC is expecting completion of the entire project to take between 10 and 15 years. Construction will be rotated between the left and right ends of the huge land parcel, to minimize noise and disruption for residents.

Wong says the goal of River Green, styled as a waterfront “village”, is to be an enclave of convenience and comfort. Residents will have easy access to extensive health and wellness facilities in the former Olympic speed skating oval, as well as trails and park land throughout the development. The project is aiming for LEED gold status, with initiatives for green roofs and rainwater conservation. Plug-ins for electric vehicles will come standard in the building.

Architect James Cheng says he and ASPAC learned some lessons from their previous experience building up Coal Harbour.

“At the beginning, it was a little isolated (in Coal Harbour),” Cheng admits. “The grocery stores were a few blocks away, there wasn’t much in the immediate area. We know people want to work and play in the same area. They want a complete community.”

Cheng says they wanted to allow residents easy access to luxury resort-style amenities. To that end, he says, they tried to incorporate at River Green all the services, security, and convenience one would find at a five-star establishment.

Residents will be able to connect with the area by having access to a community shuttle that can take them to destinations like Vancouver International Airport, or the Canada Line transit station, which is a 20-minute walk away. For those who want to minimize the use of cars, bike paths are being expanded, leading to local businesses. A pedestrian promenade links the community together, allowing for easy access from across the neighbourhood to the oval.

When it came to architectural interest, Cheng says there was no need or desire to compete with the iconic oval or the waterfront views, visible through the many windows in the River Green buildings.

Instead, he tried to focus on the “near view” – the 200 to 300 metres of landscaping visible from the buildings.

“There are many days when you can’t see the mountains or the river because of the weather,” says Cheng. “So I spent time designing in gardens and water elements – even introducing the sound of water – because the river’s very quiet. This way, you can feel the lightness of the wind and the dampness of the air, and it brings in more of a sense of privacy. It sets up a boundary between public and private space.”

Both Cheng and Wong believe River Green will fill a void in the market: a demand for high-end multi-family housing in Richmond.

“We have people working at YVR (Vancouver International Airport), the London Drugs warehouse, BCIT professors [who work at the Richmond aerospace campus],” says Wong. “They want to live closer to where they work, but they haven’t had this option up until now.”

Cheng says the goal was to make the community sustainable over the long term, capable of evolving to fit the changing needs of residents. That’s why they incorporated everything from one-bedroom units to villas of more than 3,500 square feet in place of single-family homes.

“This is the point of a complete community,” Cheng says with a smile. “This will be here for 100 years or more, for many many cycles and generations. So that’s why we wanted to get it right.”

Special to The Sun

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

http://www.vancouversun.com/Chapter+River+Green+story+page+turner/3173275/story.html#ixzz0rGdCRpqd

[whatnext]

:previous: I guess when you're gearing your development to astronaut buyers who can shield much of their income offshore, they sky's the limit!

[Spork]

According to a story just shown on Global News, this project is sold out.

[mr.x]

Richmond development reportedly breaks real estate sales record
One family bought four units worth $5 million

Sonia Aslam/John Streit Jun 20, 2010 16:57:29 PM

RICHMOND (NEWS1130) - Advertised as Richmond's very own Coal Harbour, the River Green development sold out this weekend at $145 million. According to the developer that breaks a Richmond real estate sales record.

The biggest purchase was by a family who bought four suites valued at $5 million. Four penthouses also sold on the opening weekend at over $3.4 million. The 150 condo complex set Richmond sales records for individual condominium sale price and price per square foot.

Condo developer George Wong says this proves the once down and out real estate market is back. "It does set the tone for Lower Mainland real estate strengths. Certainly hope this is a shot in the arm for real estate in the province."

The 28-acre luxury waterfront community is expected to take 15 years to build.





It's going to take 15-years to build this????

[jlousa]

Yes between 12-15yrs, same as SEFC and EFL and most likely little mountain as well. Projects this size are built over a few phases.

[Zassk]

What sold out today was phase 1, finishing in 2013 going from memory.

There will be many more phases over many years.

[hanko]

What sold out today was phase 1, finishing in 2013 going from memory.

There will be many more phases over many years.

Phase 1 consists of six buildings A thru F. A sales agent at the site told me only the first three building A, B, C were on the market as of yesterday.

Building A, B, and C are on the western part of the development near the No. 2 bridge. The model shows there is another north-south row of 3 buildings to be in between ABC and the No. 2 bridge.

[whatnext]

I'm wondering how all the traffic from River Green is going to get out onto Richmond roads or into Vancouver. For example, currently the 2 Rd bridge isn't easily accessible from the site. The Dinsmore is, but it would be overwhelmed with this kind of volume.

[Zassk]

^ Good question. The official community plan calls for a few road changes in the area that would give full access to both bridges -

1) a full intersection at River Road and the foot of No. 2 Road bridge;
2) River Road extension along the old railroad right-of-way, with a full intersection at the foot of Dinsmore Bridge, and continuing north;
3) Lansdowne Road extension to the oval, giving direct access into Richmond city center (and a walking route to Canada Line).
4) Elmbridge Way extended to meet Ackroyd Rd. This has already begun construction from what I saw this weekend.

[whatnext]

^ Good question. The official community plan calls for a few road changes in the area that would give full access to both bridges -

1) a full intersection at River Road and the foot of No. 2 Road bridge;
2) River Road extension along the old railroad right-of-way, with a full intersection at the foot of Dinsmore Bridge, and continuing north;
3) Lansdowne Road extension to the oval, giving direct access into Richmond city center (and a walking route to Canada Line).
4) Elmbridge Way extended to meet Ackroyd Rd. This has already begun construction from what I saw this weekend.

Interesting. Point 1 scares me - the way people come flying off the 2 Rd bridge into Richmond, that will be a high-accident intersection waiting to happen!

[bils]

two industrial buildings in the process of being demolished as we speak

first one is for a new onni development.... three highrises i think at the SW corner of hollybridge & river rd. http://www.liveatora.com/

second one is kitty corner at the same intersection. aspac-owned property part of the river green development. not sure why they're demolishing this one already since i thought they wouldn't be developing this area until the later phases.

[SpongeG]

will be more appealing to buyers to see the building gone

[bils]

http://www.liveatora.com/

link (http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/104434134.html)

First Ora tower sells out

By Christine Lyon - Richmond Review
Published: October 06, 2010 12:00 PM
Updated: October 06, 2010 12:16 PM

The first of three high-rise towers being developed across from the Richmond Olympic Oval sold out in less than a week.

Onni Group’s Ora development sold all 68 homes in its first building as of Tuesday, for sales valued at $30 million.

Units ranged from 540 to 805 square feet with prices starting at $276,900.

Residents can move into the tower in spring 2013.

The phase one sales occurred after a realtor event hosted by Onni and real estate marketing firm The Key on Sept. 29 which attracted more than 500 realtors. The opportunity to sell the first Ora tower was given exclusively to realtors.

“The Oval village is the Coal Harbour of Richmond, and Ora offers buyers that chance with incomparable value in a premium location,” said Cameron Good, president of The Key, in a statement.

When complete, Ora will consist of three towers ranging from 12 to 15 storeys with a combined 300 homes.

The $150-million development will feature a mix of retail and residential units and feature a 42,000-square-foot wellness centre with a fitness and yoga centre, indoor pool, squash court and media room.

Phase two of the development will be unveiled Saturday.

[vanman]

“The Oval village is the Coal Harbour of Richmond

You gotta love marketing:haha: :haha: :haha:

[deasine]

Tower 2 is apparently also sold out. Thread has been renamed to reflect the community as a whole.

Few photos from the Realtor event, as per Facebook Profile Page.
Full Album Link Here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Onni/175451564242?v=wall#!/album.php?aid=220769&id=175451564242 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Onni/175451564242?v=wall#%21/album.php?aid=220769&id=175451564242)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs375.ash2/65381_449152294242_175451564242_5146127_4299328_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs748.snc4/64883_449152359242_175451564242_5146128_6971708_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs186.ash2/44941_449152439242_175451564242_5146129_2395455_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs192.snc4/37920_449153524242_175451564242_5146132_6197706_n.jpg

Mostly Chinese:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs094.snc4/36087_449154314242_175451564242_5146134_3673711_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs365.ash2/64325_449155499242_175451564242_5146142_3503507_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs256.snc4/40154_449155674242_175451564242_5146144_2107257_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs365.ash2/64345_449155849242_175451564242_5146147_6724208_n.jpg

Funny how the units in around the Oval Village is flying off the shelves while the Olympic Village, with a much more prime location, isn't selling at all.

[whatnext]

Funny how the units in around the Oval Village is flying off the shelves while the Olympic Village, with a much more prime location, isn't selling at all.

As you said, check out the demographics in the photo.

Quiet frankly, I've never understood why the Chinese have taken to Richmond so strongly. When the big quake hits, property there's going to be the worst real estate investment in town.

[Zassk]

Perhaps the people buying these units have less misconceptions about the effects of an earthquake than you do. A building like the one pictured is built on as stable a foundation as any in the Lower Mainland. When the big one hits, bedrock will not save your property value; in some areas it will actually amplify the waves. There are worse things than liquefaction to fear about earthquakes.

[allan_kuan]

I don't think a lot of people actually really think about the earthquake concerns anymore... it just seems like something that will inevitably happen and we're all going to bet on the chance that we'll make it out alive. This is the case even for Simon Fraser University, where the whole concrete and glass and wood campus is built on a hill of all locations possible! The only places where I see obvious emphasis being put on earthquake-resistant construction are primary and secondary schools. I'm pretty sure that it's also applied elsewhere due to our building codes but the earthquake in Chile did show some weaknesses that may or may not happen here. Again it's a game of chance... a pretty bad game of chance in fact... but one that will have to be played sooner or later.

[officedweller]

Tower 2 is apparently also sold out. Thread has been renamed to reflect the community as a whole.

Few photos from the Realtor event, as per Facebook Profile Page.
Full Album Link Here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Onni/175451564242?v=wall#!/album.php?aid=220769&id=175451564242 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Onni/175451564242?v=wall#%21/album.php?aid=220769&id=175451564242)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs375.ash2/65381_449152294242_175451564242_5146127_4299328_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs748.snc4/64883_449152359242_175451564242_5146128_6971708_n.jpg


I guess that's above grade parking behind the angled slats?

What's with the orphan cabinet on the wall - looks like a big medicine cabinet? The designer thought there wasn't enough cabinet space but the developer wouldn't spring for an entire row?

[Vancity]

As you said, check out the demographics in the photo.

Quiet frankly, I've never understood why the Chinese have taken to Richmond so strongly. When the big quake hits, property there's going to be the worst real estate investment in town.

I think a lot of Chinese people have taken to Richmond, because a large part of Richmond is chinese. There is a familiarity of culture, language, food, etc. A person from mainland China, or HK, coming to Richmond wouldn't have to make a huge adjustment (they will have to make an adjustment, just not as big as say, moving to a small town in the interior). And the earthquake? It's going to come, but we don't know when it'll hit. To be honest, Richmond has come a long, long way, in terms of growth, and development. I only see more good things coming to Richmond in the future.

[Zassk]

The open pit for this project is quite deep. I have never seen a parkade built so far below the ground level in Richmond before.

That said, most of the parkade will still be above ground, only the lowest level will be below ground.

[SpongeG]

some say its because ricmond sounds like richman and if you live there you will be lucky

[nova9]

some say its because ricmond sounds like richman and if you live there you will be lucky

Part of the initial allure back in the days was the RICH in RICHmond. But I would concurred with the previous forumer that it has to do with the existing community there.

The whole point of Aberdeen is that it highly resembles the modern shopping malls that have opened or will be opening in HK/Taipei/Mainland.

[bils]

the first crane @ river green went up today.

time to change the status to U/C?

[Vancity]

I'm pretty excited about these projects. Can't wait to see them coming along.

[bils]

2nd crane is up at river green

site prep underway at ora

[Zassk]

The city truncated a few buildings for the first Landowne extension (3 Road to Minoru) and I think there is only one building that will need the same treatment to finish the rest of the extension. For Ackroyd extension, the intervening building was truncated a couple months ago, and there appears to be allowance for the new roadway in the site prep for the Quintet development.

[officedweller]

I've always thought it would be useful to have a connection form the Dinsmore Bridge to Alderbridge Way.

[bils]

3rd crane being installed today at the NW corner of river green site.

the dirt loaded at camber (http://www.camberliving.com/) appears to be in the process of being removed as of today.

dirt still being loaded at ora (http://www.liveatora.com/)

[metroXpress]

^ saw it, it's well underway :D

[Zassk]

Not sure where best to post this, but the Province has an article that is very positive about the Oval and River Green, and also takes a dump on the Olympic Village in the same article.

A tale of two cities, after the Games

While Vancouver struggles to fill Olympic Village, Richmond's Oval anchors $1.7B project

BY DAMIAN INWOOD, THE PROVINCE FEBRUARY 13, 2011


When it comes to the post-Olympic condos, if you compare Richmond and Vancouver, it's like A Tale of Two Cities.

Vancouver faces losses estimated at tens of millions of dollars, due to poor sales of condos in the $1-billion athletes village.

Meanwhile in Richmond, there's a $1.7-billion project that won't cost taxpayers a penny. Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said Friday he thinks that Vancouver's post-Games village experience is "very unfortunate."

"I've toured the Olympic Village," he said. "It's a very nice development but they've had more than their share of problems with it."

Receivers Ernst & Young have announced price cuts averaging 30 per cent on condos in the False Creek village "ghost town." In contrast, Richmond announced Friday its new "legacy partner" for the Olympic Oval was Aspac Developments. Aspac is building the $1.7-billion River Green development of more than 2,000 condos on 11.3 hectares on the banks of the Fraser River.

"We always saw the Oval as something far more than just the place for the Olympics," Brodie said. "We saw this as the centre for a brand new neighbourhood on the waterfront."

Richmond got $60 million from the Olympic Committee to build the Oval and needed to raise $118 million for the balance.

"We sold the land here, for River Green, for $141 million and part of that money was used for the capital cost of the Oval," said Brodie. "It's a city facility and it's debt-free."

He said Aspac also bought some private land between the Oval and Dinsmore Bridge and the result will be a "dynamic, vibrant neighbourhood."

The Oval has been converted to a sports centre, with an ice rink as well as hardwood floor facilities for things like basketball, badminton and athletics, as well as a fitness centre.

Aspac announced Friday it has bought 1,000 annual memberships at the Oval, worth almost $700,000. Those memberships will be offered to residents of the new neighbourhood.

John Mills, the Oval's general manager, said that, excluding Aspac's membership block, the building already has 3,000 members, double what was projected going into 2011.

...

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/tale+cities+after+Games/4273874/story.html#ixzz1DuzHnqtI

[Vancity]

Go Richmond Go! :D

[djh]

What are the transit plans for this neighbourhood? With this much development going in, and with a major bit of regional (?provincial?) infrastructure available, there needs to be a proper transit network to reach it.

When I went to the Oval during the Olympics, I was all excited to do the Vancouver-Richmond bit with the wife & kids, but then when we got off the skytrain and heard the "What? you have to get a bus now? And what, it only runs every...20 minutes? And what? It's raining again and it's cold and the kids need the toilet again?", it suddenly stopped being fun.
We couldn't believe how badly signposted the route was, how poor the bus service was, and how inconvenient it would be to live in that area without some serious route upgrades.

[SFUVancouver]

A photo of construction progress near the Olympic Oval.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6827/olympicovalareaconstruc.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, February 4th, 2011.

Downtown Richmond
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4403/downtownrichmondbyairfe.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.png (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ca/) Taken by SFUVancouver, February 4th, 2011.

[agrant]

What are the transit plans for this neighbourhood? With this much development going in, and with a major bit of regional (?provincial?) infrastructure available, there needs to be a proper transit network to reach it.

When I went to the Oval during the Olympics, I was all excited to do the Vancouver-Richmond bit with the wife & kids, but then when we got off the skytrain and heard the "What? you have to get a bus now? And what, it only runs every...20 minutes? And what? It's raining again and it's cold and the kids need the toilet again?", it suddenly stopped being fun.
We couldn't believe how badly signposted the route was, how poor the bus service was, and how inconvenient it would be to live in that area without some serious route upgrades.Agreed. I've heard Richmond gets lousy bus frequency, at least compared to Vancouver. As the population increases, they'll certainly have to look into increasing it on that Westminster route. That's definitely a long walk to the nearest Canada Line station.

[Zassk]

Agreed. I've heard Richmond gets lousy bus frequency, at least compared to Vancouver. As the population increases, they'll certainly have to look into increasing it on that Westminster route. That's definitely a long walk to the nearest Canada Line station.

Westminster has the 401 bus every 12-15 minutes, and the 407 every 15-20 mins but turns at the hospital. The C94 shuttle goes right past River Green once per 30 min (one way loop). I would say the bus frequency is not bad.