New loft-style homes from $567,900 in Port Royal attract first-time buyers

Mar 31 2021, 6:54 pm

Searching for a new home can feel like a big undertaking, and that’s in part because we often don’t know where to start.

When BC residents Emelyn Ticong and Cian Scott decided to move out of their downtown rental apartment and buy their first home, a sense of intimidation ensued. “We knew nothing about the home buying process; it was such a black hole to us,” they told Daily Hive.

To their surprise, they found the process easy — something they credit to having support from the right people — from the day they began thinking about buying a home. This included their realtor, Bronwyn Bertles, who simplified the search and considered all of their home requirements.

“Since this was going to be our first home purchase, we were looking for a place that could really be a good return on investment,” they noted. “We said that we would be happy if we found a home within a year, but thanks to Brownyn, she found this gem — Light House — within two months of our search.”

As soon as Ticong and Scott walked into one of the showhomes at Light House in Port Royal, Queensborough, they fell in love with the stunning yet functional design. This, they said, matched their style and what they were looking for in their first home purchase.

Led by local developer Aragon, this collection of one-, two-, and three-bedroom loft-style homes is the latest addition to New Westminster’s growing community. Starting at $567,900 and 770 to 1,726 sq ft, it’s no surprise former city dwellers, like Ticong and Scott, are making the move. And with the community already sitting at over 50% sold, they knew they had to move fast. 

A lumberyard transformed, the sought-after Port Royal neighbourhood has direct access to the riverfront, abundant green spaces, and walking trails, fostering an active lifestyle for residents. The area’s close proximity to the river and boardwalk was a win for Ticong and Scott, both outdoor enthusiasts.

“It’s a pleasant change to be surrounded by nature, hearing birds rather than hearing the hustle and bustle of downtown,” they said. “We love being able to go outside to walk around and see our neighbours and their lovely dogs, especially during the pandemic when frequent walks are much needed while we work from home.”

Plus, it takes just five minutes to get to New Westminster Quay from the Port Royal public dock on the Q2Q Ferry, making it an easy choice for weekend catch-ups with friends (once allowed) at the local high-end cafes and restaurants, like local hot spot Steel & Oak Brewing Co. And commuting to downtown Vancouver from there is just an easy 30-minute SkyTrain ride away.

Port Royal/Aragon

The riverfront setting of Port Royal inspired the developer Aragon to combine heritage architecture with innovative building techniques, ultimately embracing loft-style layouts. That’s why homes at Light House have been designed tall and wide, instead of narrow and deep, as you might find in the city. This maximizes the amount of light that reaches each living space. 

To ensure the spaces that residents use the most are filled with natural light, Aragon has brought the kitchen and living room to the front of each home, making these open spaces feel more flexible and expansive.

Having lived in a rental apartment before buying their home in Port Royal, Ticong and Scott described living at Light House as “an entirely different experience,” praising Aragon for maximizing space while keeping everything functional and beautiful.

In their new home, the couple said they appreciate having many different and bold features, like the feature wall made from reclaimed bricks from local heritage buildings.

Each room boasts a pared-back design, shining a light on the quality materials, like Boen wide-plank white oak hardwood flooring throughout. Residents can choose between two designer colour schemes: light and form. Whatever your choice, it will be further enhanced by the natural light dancing through oversized windows and the 10 ft high ceilings in most living spaces.

Select homes also feature Minimal folding glass window walls or sliding doors, allowing for the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. “These sliding doors completely transform your inside to outside living! They give the space a dramatic increase in square footage, perfect for the BBQ dinner and beers in the summer.”

The adaptable lofts at Light House each feature a Dimplex 50-inch wall-mounted linear electric fireplace, perfect for cozy evenings in. Over in the kitchen, the heart of any home, you’ll find premium Monogram appliance packages, including a five-burner gas cooktop. 

Kitchens also include an Energy Star fridge with a bottom freezer, a fully integrated dishwasher complete with LED lighting, a microwave with sensor controls, and a wall convection oven with glass touch controls, equipped with a statement hood fan encased in custom black millwork. 

With ample countertop and pantry storage space, unpacking bags after grocery shopping at the local Walmart or T&T — just 10 minutes away by car — can become something to look forward to. 

Your bathroom should always be your sanctuary, and at Light House, the bathrooms exceed this expectation. Oozing luxury, quartz countertops are available in either fresh or raw concrete, depending on your taste, and are further complemented by premium matte black Kohler plumbing fixtures. And for that extra special treatment, there’s in-floor heating in the ensuite bathrooms and select secondary bathrooms, too. 

When you’re not enjoying a picnic at the 6.5-acre Port Royal Park or strolling along the 1.7 km Riverfront Walk, which connects to bike paths and a sandy beach, there are plenty of amenities at Light House.

Residents can enjoy a 1,500 sq ft amenity building, which is complete with a lounge area that’s perfect for entertaining guests, and a fully-equipped gym. There’s also a central courtyard with a common BBQ and seating area, as well as a children’s play area, perfect for socially-distant outdoor gatherings with friends. 

Even though Ticong and Scott are still new to the neighbourhood, they told us they can sense that, from the various interactions between residents, it’s a close-knit community — “which you don’t often see downtown.” This is one of the many reasons why they’re excited to grow and build their lives and future family in Port Royal.

Emelyn Ticong and Cian Scott

Ticong and Scott continued, “We feel that buying a home at Light House will be a really good return on investment, especially for young couples like us who are looking to start building their lives together.”

For over 30 years, Aragon has been dedicated to innovating building design and creating quality homes across Canada. Most recently, their developments Shift at Quebec and 35th Street, Amber at King Edward and Ash, and Esquimalt Town Square on Vancouver Island have attracted new homeowners who appreciate the quality and attention to detail that Aragon delivers.

To learn more about the loft-style homes available at Light House, visit the project website.

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