New Condominium Development in Vancouver: Mantra In Kitsilano
There is another new condo development coming to Kitsilano. Mantra will be built by 
a large and well-established developer at W. 4th Ave. and Pine St. This was location of the John Valk BMW Motorcycles dealership until recently. Not much information available right now, but I'll keep you posted as more become available.
I am not sure about this location it is not much a nieghbourhood right now, but maybe that will change. This area, east of Burrard between 4th and Broadway has lots of room for improvemet. See also Lumen.
Here is what I know right now:
Interested? Let me know and I'll make sure you get pre-registered.
Here is a Google map to the location.
UPDATE, October 3, 2007: They tell me the presentation centre in under construction and that sales will happen "soon". What ever that means. Regarding the design the email I received from Cressey had this to say:
Contemporary yet clasic with concrete and glass, this boutique five-level building will offer 68 exceptional urban homes connected by a series of iconic glass skybridges that promise to establish Mantra as one of the area's most recognizable landmarks. Designed to invoke a sense of calm and well-being, these urban organic 1 and 2 bedroom designer suites include functional floorplans, natural materials and large outdoor spaces. In addition, every earth-friendly home at Mantra also includes geothermal heating and air conditioning to help save you money and perhaps more importantly, the environment.
UPDATE, October 17, 2007: Another email from the developer today. Just a blurb about how great the developer, Cressey, is. There was a rendering if the building though.
UPDATE (October 30, 2007) - Today Mantra sent me an email about the enviromentally friendly features of the development. See the quote below, they are doing geo-thermal heating and cooling system which is becoming pretty common now, as well as, a green roof. This is how they put it:
Mantra boasts a geothermal heating and air conditioning system. Unlike conventional heating and cooling systems which create heat by burning fuel or powering an electric element, this technology relies on the constant ground temperature the earth maintains throughout the year. In winter, the geothermal system transfers heat from the earth to an environmentally friendly fluid which flows through pipes installed under the earthÂ’s surface and into the building into each suite. This heat is also used to heat the domestic hot water for the building. In summer, the system is reversed so that heat from each suite is absorbed by the earth thereby cooling each home. By using this technology, Mantra will save an estimated 52 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year which is equivalent to planting 1,318 trees!*
While geothermal systems clearly help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the air, the use of less energy also means you get the benefit of saving money! With a 650 sq.ft. home at Mantra, a geothermal heating and cooling system will be approximately a quarter of the cost of conventional systems.**
Mantra also uses a green roof system which beyond protecting the roof's membrane, this lush covering of plants improves air quality, provides sound insulation, and naturally shades and insulates the building which in turn helps save heating and cooling costs. Green roof systems also help to ease the burden on municipal stormwater systems as rain is absorbed by the plants rather than drained into our city pipes.
*Source: Tree Canada Foundation
**Source: Canada Geoexchange Colation
UPDATE (January 13, 2008): Taking a looks through the Homes section of yesterday's paper I see that "previews" are set to start on January 19th. I had a call from them before Christmas saying that there might be some sales before Christmas, but no one ever called or emailled to let me know that were ready. The presentation centre is ready now though at 2060 Pine St, right behind the site. Thinking of buying here? You need to see the video I wrote about last week.