'Cube house' on Vancouver's Point Grey Road sold for $8 million (PHOTOS)

'Cube house' on Vancouver's Point Grey Road sold for $7.95 million (PHOTOS)

The 'cube house' at 3691 Point Grey Road, Vancouver. (Loren Dunsworth / Rennie Group)

After being listed on the market for over a year, the daringly-bold, so-called ‘cube house’ at the northeast corner of Point Grey Road and Alma Street in Vancouver’s Westside has been sold for $7.95 million, below the final asking price, according to BC Assessment.

This 2016-built, sharp contemporary home at 3691 Point Grey Road – right across from Hastings Mill Park – has drawn some controversy for its unconventional design, and it was listed on the market by the Rennie Group more than a year ago for $14 million.

Shortly after it went up for sale, the price for the property was slashed to $12.75 million, then $9.998 million, and eventually down to $8.195 million earlier this year.

The latest assessed value for the property by BC Assessment is $7.46 million, with $4.7 million for the land and $2.76 million for the building.

Cube House 3691 Point Grey Road Vancouver

The ‘cube house’ at 3691 Point Grey Road, Vancouver. (Loren Dunsworth / Rennie Group)

The 3,709-sq-ft, four-storey home is built on a 4,732-sq-ft lot, and it was designed by award-winning architect Tony Robbins and constructed by Keystone. Although it has just two bedrooms, it has four bathrooms and an underground garage that parks four vehicles.

The first level, where the kitchen, dining room, and living room are located, is essentially a fish bowl with floor-to-ceiling glass walls for all four exterior walls of the lower cube. Mechanical blinds offer privacy on the first level when fully retracted.

The ‘cube house’ at 3691 Point Grey Road, Vancouver. (Loren Dunsworth / Rennie Group)

Deep contrast is provided by the exterior of the upper two floors, which are clad by black, galvanized steel. A few windows are punctured through this cube for the living spaces upstairs.

“Though unintended, this project has inspired much discussion for its uncompromising geometry and relationship to the neighbourhood. Mostly, the lack of windows upsets traditional notions of ‘house’ on the street,” reads Robbins’ description of his design, which also addresses some of the criticism he has received, adding that he “will never design fake ‘old'”.

“Criticism is pointed to it turning its back on the community. In defence, this house has more glass facing the street than any other along Point Grey Road. The living/dining/kitchen areas are fully exposed to the neighbourhood. Only the bedrooms are more privately contained, though with no less windows than any other home in the area… At such a very public a corner, it was our intention to create an element of interest beyond a regular house. It compliments the traditional houses and becomes a sculptural beacon from the park, visible from afar. We believe we have achieved this.”

The ‘cube house’ at 3691 Point Grey Road, Vancouver. (Loren Dunsworth / Rennie Group)

A large skylight cascades sun rays down into a stairwell, and all four levels are also connected by a glass elevator, which reaches all the way to the outdoor rooftop deck.

From this deck, residents can enjoy views of the North Shore mountains, Burrard Inlet, and downtown Vancouver skyline from the comfort of a hot tub. There is even an outdoor kitchen, TV and stereo, and powder and outdoor shower.

The ‘cube house’ at 3691 Point Grey Road, Vancouver. (Loren Dunsworth / Rennie Group)

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