:: $1.9 million townhouses :: 

Whistler’s real estate market, long considered by locals as outrageously expensive, is considered a deal to international buyers, according to one of Whistler’s top realtors.”People from Europe and the United States are coming and saying ‘wow, there’s good value here’,” says Whistler realtor John Ryan, who has been selling properties in the ski resort community for more than 20 years.

Ryan is the sales director of one of Whistler’s luxury townhome projects, Fitzsimmons Walk, which consists of 41 attached townhomes on a six-acre site. The residences, which start at $1.9 million, will be within walking distance to the village.

“People laugh when you say it’s a bargain at $1.9 million, but there’s a shortage for this type of product. Nothing like it is available on the market. This is the only new pre-sale product in Whistler and nothing is under construction.”

Ryan says buying now means purchasers will be getting “today’s prices” and an “incredible” value when the Olympics happens in 2010.

The homes went on the market last May, and more than half have been sold. Half of those buyers have been international — coming from places like Tokyo, Korea, Singapore and Australia — and the remainder are Vancouver-based.

Ryan says the average per-square-foot price for The Ritz project in Vancouver is approximately $2,300, so the Fitzsimmons — at $850 per square foot — is reasonable by comparison.

He adds that Whistler prices are generally lower than other resort communities in B.C., like Ucluelet and Kelowna.

In many B.C. communities, of course, the assessed values of real estate are on the rise. Overall, values climbed by 16 per cent in 2007 to top $940 billion, according to numbers released earlier this month by the B.C. Assessment Authority.

The Fitzsimmons Walk project is the first multi-family residence project being constructed to the new Whistler Green guidelines, and has just received a Silver LEED standard.

Some of the green features include a high-efficiency irrigation system for landscaping, low- flush toilets and limited off-site lighting. Additionally, at least 15 per cent of all materials used will contain a 20-per-cent recycled content. While big on the green aspects, the project is also considered the ultimate in high-end style.

Features include a “gourmet kitchen” with a Sub Zero fridge, a Wolfe stove and an under-counter wine fridge.

The master ensuite has a see-through fireplace wall at the foot of a deep soaker tub and every home has an overheight double-car underground garage. There’s also a dramatic open-concept wood staircase.

Each home also has its own outdoor “living room” with a hot tub and fireplace, instead of a shared community amenity space.

“We really took a lot of the elements of a single-family home and brought it into the townhomes,” says Ryan.

According to the press brochure, the project reflects “Westcoast Alpine Contemporary.”

The exterior architecture has low, sloping — yet prominent — roof lines, complemented by local, natural materials. Basalt stone is on the base of the building, with wood shingles, board and batten and horizontal siding forming the wall cladding materials.

“The location is front and centre, being on the valley floor,” says Ryan, when asked to describe the best aspect of the project.

“It’s a flat, easy walk into the village and a large percentage of the homes face onto Fitzsimmons Creek. The valley trail — a 50-kilometre paved pathway — is right there,” he says.

“The higher-end market seems to prefer the valley floor as opposed to being on the mountain, and the views and sun exposure are excellent.”

Ryan said most homes have views of both Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.

FITZSIMMONS WALK

Project: 41 luxury attached townhomes (4 bedroom homes)
Presentation Centre: 7104 Nancy Greene Dr., Whistler
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Developer: Cressey Development Group
Architect: Howard Bingham Hill Architects
Interior Design: Insight Design Inc.
Size Range: 2,450 — 2,850 sq. ft.
Price Range: Starting at $1.9 million
Telephone: 1-888-932-4114
Web site: www.fitzsimmonswalk.com
Occupancy: Winter 2008-2009

John Ryan quoted in the Vancouver Sun/WestCoast Homes
Published: Saturday, January 12, 2008

Fitzsimmons Walk
Proudly marketed by John Ryan
Cell: 1-604-932-7670
http://www.realestateinwhistler.com/newdevelopments

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Skiers and riders enjoyed incredible snow conditions on Whistler Blackcomb during the Christmas/New Year holidays. With over 4ft of new snow falling in the last 7 days, people from all over the world were smiling enjoying the endless light dry powder on the mountain.

Hotels and retailers alike reported a busy holiday season. Jennifer Miller from Whistler’s Question writes “Final numbers won’t be available until next week, but Whistler Blackcomb (WB), accommodation providers, retailers, restaurateurs, and recreation companies are all reporting an increase in business over last year — with some citing a boost of up to 40 per cent.”

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