253 replies to this topic

[MarkoJ]

What is the deal with almost everyone using Blum hinges and soft-close systems? You would think there would be more competition in this segment.

[sebberry]

Looks like the bulkhead is getting in the way of the door fully opening. Pretty cool though if these were the electric kind.

Well that too I guess, but I was going to say it blocks the light, something that's nice to have when you're looking in your cupboards. Also I'd be worried about people leaving the door up right against the light for any length of time.

What is the deal with almost everyone using Blum hinges and soft-close systems? You would think there would be more competition in this segment.

Standardization perhaps? With one major manufacturer of hardware, cabinet makers have fewer variations in hardware to account for, or fewer designs in the CAD system may simplify manufacturing? I don't know. I just know I wish my neighbour would get some Blum soft-closers on his cupboards.

[Mike K.]

Marko Juras has released another condo review, this time for 200 Douglas.

Condo Review: 200 Douglas
By Marko Juras, VibrantVictoria.ca
http://vibrantvictor...ew-200-douglas/

Homewood Constructors’ 200 Douglas project, a six-storey concrete condo situated across the street from Beacon Hill Park at 200 Douglas Street, is the latest endeavour by the Victoria-based development and construction outfit. Despite a recent weakness in the region’s pre-sale condo market, 200 Douglas’ sales team has sold over 40% of total dollar volume since sales began in late summer. Among the 14 of 38 units now sold, the majority have been the costlier tough sells: penthouses, sub-penthouses and larger units, all of which have positioned 200 Douglas as one of the strongest selling projects in recent years. This is in contrast to the immediate competition on Michigan Street near Douglas Street, the two building 8- and 4-storey Duet by Chard Development, where none of the penthouses or sub-penthouses have sold as of the published date of this review.

200 Douglas is ideally situated in James Bay at the corner of Douglas and Simcoe streets directly across from Beacon Hill Park and a stones throw from the ocean. Downtown Victoria is at arms length to the north. The building features entirely residential units ranging from generously proportioned 650 square foot one bedrooms to penthouses in excess of 1,450 square feet. The majority of homes are corner units and prices range from $359,900+HST to over $1,000,000+HST. 200 Douglas is aimed at the refined end-user with priorities in this segment being location, quality, and exclusivity, though not necessarily in that order. Not wasting any time to deliver product, Homewood has already begun excavation of the site with construction to follow in the coming weeks. Completion is slated for mid-2014. [Read more]

[Sloth]

When it comes to ceiling height ... 200 Douglas sits at the top of the pack. Ground floor units feature 10 foot ceilings, floors two-to-four are 8 feet and 9 inches, fifth floor units are 9 feet 6 inches, and penthouses on the sixth floor are 10 feet ... Duet offers 8 feet 6 inches (8 feet 6 inches is also the height in Duet’s sub-penthouses although penthouses in Duet’s east building are 9 feet).

Duet fourth-floor units in the West building have 12.6 foot ceilings in the living and dining area.

[Mike K.]

Thanks for the heads up, Sloth, I've added this to Marko's article.

[MarkoJ]

Duet fourth-floor units in the West building have 12.6 foot ceilings in the living and dining area.

This is true; however, it should be noted that West is a wood-framed building.

[MarkoJ]

Excavation continues, November 24th, 2012.

[MarkoJ]

January 19th, 2013

[AllEars]

Tower crane anchor bolts were poured last week with the crane going up in the next couple of weeks.

[Mike K.]

They'll actually be using a crane here, hey?

[AllseeingEye]

Heh, an actual construction crane in James Bay? Wow. From my recollection of living there from 2003-7 I have no doubt the neighborhood association will claim it is the End of Days and yet another example of Victoria heading down the slippery slope of becoming - *gasp* - "more Vancouver-like". I certainly hope it doesn't interfere with Pam's view of the Sooke Hills....

[G-Man]

I could be wrong but I think the last one would have been for the Oswego hotel.

[Mike K.]

I think you're right. And before that was The Reef, before that Shoal Point.

[G-Man]

The Grand Pacific rebuild had a crane too though that would have been about 8 or 9 years ago.

[MarkoJ]

February 24th, 2013

[D.L.]

Awesome! 'nother tower crane

[Mike K.]

I'm surprised to see a tower crane for such a small project.

[MarkoJ]

March 29th, 2013.

[MarkoJ]

This building continues to sell really well given the condo environment - they are now at 50% sold.

[D.L.]