peter townsend's vancouver real estate blog

Just Listed: Michael Jackson's home on sale for $23.9 million

Not exactly M.J.'s home, but the plush Los Angeles mansion where the world's most famous pop star died is on sale for $23.9 million.

The 17,000 sq. ft. 7-bedroom, 13-bathroom property, described as the centrepiece of an “elegant and sophisticated French chateau estate,” includes its own movie theater, a gym and a pool. Sounds like better value than some homes for sale in West Vancouver!

Open House: 4650 Caulfeild dr. Sun. 30th

This stunning 4500 sq. ft. family home in Caulfeild is open for viewing this weekend between 2.00 and 4.00 p.m. Feel free to pass by and take a look, or just have a chat. price $1,775,000 (the chat is free!)

Scottie's renovating West Vancouver #2

Just a quick update on interior designer, Scott Steacy's current project on Gallagher Place, West Vancouver. Last time I passed by the entire downstairs had been stripped back to the studs, walls removed and new walls and partition framework were being put in. Parallel to that operation, the basic plumbing and electricity was being set out and  installed. However the top floor still remained a relative "safe haven", hermetically sealed off by numerous walls of plastic dust sheets and tape. Life on the top floor could continue reasonably normally....Until work on the top floor started....

Back, on the ball....

Many of you maybe aware that I have spent the past 4 months back in the UK. I did not, contrary to popular belief spend all my time in pubs and watching football (proper football)! Only some....

I did however, manage to spend a substantial amount of the time attending social media marketing courses and building network connections with collegues in the Sotheby's European offices.

As you may know the economic climate is currently far from being optimistic in many European countries, subsequently many families are looking to safer, more stable shores to potentially land on. It's exactly because of these types of connections that Sotheby's International Realty Canada is the only real estate company that can offer truly "Global Connections" to promote your property further than the Lion's Gate Bridge!

‘Ferris Bueller’ House on the Market with Sotheby's International Realty.

The steel and glass house immortalized in the pop classic movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is for sale.

The original house, located in the wooded Chicago suburb of Highland Park, was designed by A. James Speyer, a protégé of Mies van der Rohe, in 1953. The glass pavilion, designed by the noted architect David Haid, was added a few years later, according to Meladee Hughes, a listing agent at Sudler Sotheby’s International Realty. read the full article in today's New York Times, "Great Homes & Destinations.

There goes the neighbourhood....

I don't want to be negative in times like these but am I the only person around that thinks Dundarave doesn't really need a Shoppers Drug Mart? Shouldn't that quintessentially "West Van" parade of shops remain the last bastion of the local, independent retailer? or do we actually really need to be able to buy Preparation H or hair colour at 9 p.m.?
I acknowledge that the current parade of shops doesn't really qualify for any awards for architecture or aesthetics, but has anyone been in a SDM lately? The stark fluorescent lighting, the maze of stacked shelving, Garish colours? Yuk! what next.... The golden arches of Macdonalds? It's hardly destination shopping at it's best is it?
Unfortunately I was unable to attend the Community meeting held at West Vancouver Memorial Library last Tuesday where plans for the renovation were presented. So if anyone was  there and has details of how SDM intend on "blending in" maybe you could post a comment here for us all to read. If anyone has similar concerns you could  also let us know here.
Well I suppose the good news for now is that the Capers Mural will be kept, that's a huge weight off my mind!