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AUGUST 2019 | 75 Basalt RENDERINGS COURTESY PENNYFARTHING HOMES Basalt by LAURIE JONES N estled next to Vancouver's iconic 130-acre Queen Elizabeth Park, Basalt – a six-storey, 51-unit resi- dential building – features stunning views and access to the park trails. Basalt is also located on the Cambie Corridor where residents will be close to a multitude of shops, Skytrain, and recreational options. With the construction well under- way and an anticipated occupation in June 2020, the sold-out LEED Gold-certified Basalt will be a classic addition to the neighbourhood. The building features four-storey fins in basalt that establish the strong four- storey base of the project. The stone fins are contrasted by white and wood- grain metal panels that help create a timeless form that respects the adja- cent heritage Wong Residence. "The floor plan is a mix of one, two, and three bedrooms with three town- homes on the back of the building on the lane side," says Kevin Hussey, VP of development at Pennyfarthing Development Group. The one bed- room units offer an average of 640 square feet of living space with up to 180 square feet of exterior living, the two bedrooms range from 988 to 1,004 square feet interior and up to 195 square feet of exterior living, and the two-storey townhouses feature 1,299 square feet of indoor living and 144 square feet of outdoor space. "Within the five penthouses there are four 1,325-square-foot three-bed- room units, and one 1,090-square-foot two-bedroom unit. The people who purchased the suites are professionals who want to be close to transit, some downsizers who want to be close to the park and Oakridge Shopping Centre, and young families. This whole area of Vancouver has been redeveloped into something special." He adds the building has an amenity floor on the main level that looks out towards Cambie Street and a child play/green space at the back of the building by the townhomes. Included in the interior design of the upscale suites are Bosch appli- ances, with the penthouses having Gaggenau models. "The design includes integrated millwork panels on the appliances for a seamless finish," says Hussey. "These suites are set up for cooking enthusiasts with French door refrigerators, a 30-inch stainless five- burner gas cooktop with an integrated slide-out hood fan, a 30-inch stain- less wall oven, a panelled dishwasher, and optional 24-inch Marvel high-effi- ciency undercounter wine fridge in selected homes. The penthouses offer 36-inch appliances." The four corner penthouses access their own rooftop patios via private outdoor staircases that are prominent architectural features of the building. Paver stones that are 24 inches by 24 inches have been installed on the patios, and gas connections allow for features such as a fire pit. Water access will ben- efit those who want an outdoor garden. Cam Halkier, principal at Shift Architecture, explains the top two storeys are set back to express the strong four-storey base. "The main materials, from a design point of view, are basalt and concrete. The basalt is a dry stack, random ashlar pattern that creates a high level of finish. There is an outcropping of basalt that is pre- served next to the building, which is now a heritage rock." He says the basalt stone contrasts with metal panels on the street fac- ing side, significant glazing, stucco on the back side of the main build- ing, and Hardy plank and siding of the townhomes. The overall composition creates rhythm and patterning along the facade, which is contrasted by the basalt walls with vertical openings at the north end of the building. "There's a contrast between the horizontality of the four-storey podium and the verti- cality of the basalt fins. The expression of the exterior stairs on the upper lev- els, and the emphasis that is put on the entry by the large basalt additions adds to the unique features of the building." Halkier notes the townhouse design was inspired by 1960s' mod- ernist architecture, which was what the heritage home next door – with the heritage basalt stone in front – was fashioned after. "It's going to be one of the nicest buildings on the Cambie Corridor," says Daniel Kravcak, project manager for Performance Construction Ltd. "It's a very nice square, contemporary design, and the basalt stone adds a classic finish. The columns at the entrance to the building will be clad in basalt stone and the overall combination of textural finishes through- out the complex, along with the glass canopy, really create a striking look." A LOCATION 5058 Cambie Street, Vancouver, B.C. OWNER/DEVELOPER Pennyfarthing Homes ARCHITECT Shift Architecture Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Performance Construction Ltd. STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT BMZ Structural Engineers MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Williams Engineering Canada Inc. ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Opal Engineering Inc. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Durante Kreuk Ltd. TOTAL SIZE 56,000 square feet TOTAL COST $24 million

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