In North Vancouver, we began a great partnership with the ANAVETS Housing Society to help them redevelop their old residences, and in doing so we were able to provide some really great non-market housing at no cost to the taxpayer.

On the corporate side of things, we implemented a new project management process we call the Intracorp Way. It’s a system we developed to allow us to streamline the day-to-day tasks of real estate development. And, what’s exciting about that is that it frees us up to devote more time and energy to designing and building truly creative housing solutions.

We spent a lot of time defining and understanding what our motto “Building the Extraordinary” really means. And we thought about how that could be

reflected in the product we offer as well as the experience our customers have with us.

It all made for an extremely busy year that was energizing and exciting. And that business has given us a lot of momentum to carry us into the future.

We also took steps to formalize our “green” policy. We call it the Intracorp Good Earth Program. We see it as the practical application of sensible environmental practices. Already, we’re

seeing positive results and expect to see more in the years to come.

On a personal note, in addition to my position as president of Intracorp, I spent the past year in the role of president of the Urban Development Institute. The UDI is an organization set up to be a reasoned, non-political voice in British Columbia for property development and future planning. It provided me with the opportunity to enter into dialogues with policy makers, developers and other stakeholders as we look to the future and define broader objectives – including housing affordability and urban densification.

All in all, 2011 was an extraordinary year, and it set the tempo for great things to come in the future for partners, our homeowners and our company.

Architect Doug Ramsay grew up in a world of constant renovation. His dad was a contractor and the family joke was that each room in the house was renovated at least three times because his mom kept getting new ideas. And with two uncles who were architects, it’s no surprise that Doug became one, too.

Doug studied architecture at UBC and his architectural influences were all around him with the works of such other renowned architects as Arthur Erickson, Ron Thom and other regional architecture that is unique to the west coast. And, those influences found their way into his designs. Sometimes it was very subtle, but his sensitivity to the existing built environment and the use of many local materials is reflected in much of his work.

Doug says that he doesn’t really have a style, but that his firm’s approach is site specific – that they look at the surrounding architecture and try to design buildings that will feel right for the neighbourhood.

A good example would be The Versatile Building in North Vancouver. It’s situated in the “heritage character area”

made up of mostly low and mid rise commercial buildings like the 1910 Paine Hardware building. So,The Versatile Building fronts Lonsdale Avenue in the same way that the other commercial buildings do – framed by the street.

But, The Versatile Building is a modern residence and makes no attempt to feel like an imitation of a historic building. While it’s clad with brick, there is also extensive use of glazing. At the corner of Lonsdale and 3rd, Doug and his team created a glass box to act as a focal point.

Silver is a striking 38-storey residential tower that will offer a range of smartly designed homes for everyone from first-time buyers to investors to empty nesters. It will be for sale early in 2012.

The Ideal Location

Close to the Metrotown SkyTrain station and the planned revitalized transit station, Silver will provide easy access to all parts of the Lower Mainland.

Great news if you plan to work or study elsewhere, but are looking for a home of exceptional quality and more affordable than new homes in downtown Vancouver.

But that’s only part of Silver’s location story. Silver is situated to take full advantage of its highly popular neighbourhood that will only improve as Beresford Street is transformed.

Surrounding Silver you will find Metropolis at Metrotown with 450 stores and services including two supermarkets, Crystal Mall, Station Square, Burnaby Public Library and some of the best parks in the Lower Mainland. Then, there’s Central Park with Swangard Stadium where you can take in concerts and sporting events. Not far away is Deer Lake Park offering a full range of facilities and activities.

also honour the past by relocating and revitalizing the historic Mowat House – one of the last turn-of-the-century Craftsman style homes. It will house four strata homes that will be a part of the residential offering when Silver goes on sale early in 2012.

Striking Architecture.
Stunning Views.

Designed by Richard Henry Architect and NSDA Architects with interior design by BBA Design Consultants, Silver is accented by large cantilevered balconies providing really usable outdoor spaces where you can take in the views. And, at 38 storeys, the views will be breathtaking.

Set on a 4-storey podium, Silver will look like a jewel. Its modern, chic design soars above the podium that

anchors the building with natural materials to help integrate it into the neighbourhood. Its impressive double-height lobbies will be fully glazed and let light and air define your sense of arrival. A stacked brick pattern incorporated into the lower façade is not only modern but also adds to the contextual feel of the building presenting a warm and inviting backdrop to the shops and cafés that will populate the street.

Advanced Interiors

Inside, Silver will be a state-of-the-art technologically advanced building. Amenity areas will have WiFi access so that you can enjoy full use of your laptop, tablet or smartphone. There is a plan to have either iPod docking or Bluetooth technology in the lounge to allow you to play your own tunes.

Allan Jacobs is the author of many books about what makes a great city. Among them is Great Streets. In it, he analyzes the qualities that characterize great streets around the world: interesting facades, trees, windows that invite viewing, intersections, stopping places and space for leisurely walking. He concludes that all of these elements are necessary to recreate streets that are social, animated and neighbourly.

It’s a view held by the City of Burnaby’s planning department – and by Intracorp’s Senior Development Manager, Jake McEwan. And, it’s at the centre of the new vision for Beresford Street near Metrotown in Burnaby.

Part one of that transformation has already begun with MetroPlace. Now under construction, MetroPlace

retail, outdoor seating and offer easier access to existing and future public spaces like the library and future upgrades. Ultimately, the plan is for a new, revitalized transit station, and a new connection to McKay Avenue, potential for more neighbourhood daycare and other civic facilities.

It’s all being done for the betterment of the community. For example, there will be a new not-for-profit space within the MetroPlace complex. It’s an opportunity to provide a space for social programs at no cost to the community. Some of the groups who will benefit from this are South Burnaby Neighbourhood House, BC Centre for Ability, YMCA and National Congress of Black Women.

We are delighted to have partnered with the City of Burnaby to help create Metrotown’s next great street.

There can be little doubt that real estate is a major driver in the BC economy. After all, we all need a roof over our heads. Own or rent, we all seem to talk about it.

We thought that we could add some fuel to your conversations by providing you with some facts and figures. And, who better to ask than Intracorp’s Vice President of Acquisitions, Tony Kaleel. Tony eats, sleeps and breathes real estate market analysis.

Here are a few of Tony’s gems.

1. Of all of the undeveloped land in the lower mainland, approximately 30% of it is actually developable. That’s because the rest of it is protected by the Agricultural Land Reserve, and the Green Zone.

Of that 30% of land that is developable, 80% is located in Surrey and the Township of Langley.

If you thought land was scarce because of the mountains, the ocean and the US border, it looks even more so when viewed with this new information.

2. Here’s some more interesting stuff to know. The leading indicator for market prices is the New Sales-to-Listing Ratios published by the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board. That’s the ratio of new listings that sell in a given time period.

If that ratio is between 40-60%, it’s accepted that we are experiencing a balanced market. Home prices are predictable and stable.

If it’s more than 60% it’s a sellers market. And if the ratio is below 40%, it’s a buyers market.

Here are some stats about the market. The apartment Sales-to-Listing Ratio year to date (January to October 2011) are:*
Burnaby – 56%
Downtown Vancouver – 50%
North Vancouver – 48%

All indications that we are and have been in a balanced market for the past 10 months. And when you compare that with the median prices for condos in those areas, you might conclude that it’s a good time to buy a new home.

3. In the three months prior to November 15, 2011 the median price for concrete apartments under two

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