News

• DEVELOPER: Holborn Developments (West Georgia) Ltd.
• PRICE: From $2,250,000 to $10-million
• SIZE: From 958 sq. ft. to 3,293 sq. ft.
• SALES CENTRE: 1090 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
• CONTACT: 1-888-689-1118 or 604-689-8881 or www.vancouversturn.com

Holborn Developments is turning 1133 West Georgia St. from rubble to The Ritz, with a 60-storey, Arthur Erickson-designed tower.

The glass tower, constructed on a rotational axis, and appropriately dubbed "Vancouver's Turn," will add a signature twist to the city's skyline while introducing a global brand — The Ritz-Carlton.

"You can't get any better than the Ritz," says Mr. Erickson, the world-renowned Canadian architect behind such landmarks as the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C., Simon Fraser University and the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. "I've often thought of Vancouver as an experimental place — a city on the edge of becoming a city — but the arrival of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel demonstrates Vancouver's success in terms of becoming a true world-class city," he says.

Mr. Erickson's design has created a stir with its curved spine construction. "The twist gives the tower a real vitality, while most everything else in the city is quite perpendicular and resolved," he says.

While it will also be the tallest building in Coal Harbour, Bob Rennie, of Rennie Marketing Systems believes it will signify much more than great height. "It will bring an architectural statement to Vancouver that not only marks the city's skyline with Arthur Erickson's signature, but creates a mark of its time," he says. Mr. Erickson agrees: "The goal, which I believe we achieved, is to stand out in a way that is both compelling and complementary," he says.

The unique architectural design also serves to create incomparable views for its residents. "We are overlooking the park, harbour and water, with a background of mountains. Whether you are staying in the hotel or have the luxury of living here, it is simply going to be a beautiful experience," says Mr. Erickson.

While levels 1 through 26 will contain 130 hotel rooms, floors 27 through 60 will house 123 private residences with the same hotel services, including, room service, valet, housekeeping and private wine reserves. The Residences at The Ritz Carlton also have owner privileges at the hotel's spa and fitness centre, private parking and elevators with restricted floor use.

The interiors have been designed by Mcfarlane, Green + Biggar Architecture and Design Inc. Each suite contains Poliform custom closets, a Crestron security system and top-of-the-line appliances and fixtures by Miele, Sub Zero, Duravit, Dorn Bracht and Julien. Purchasers have a choice of three contemporary colour schemes and the units are accented with natural stone, steel and wood finishes to match the building's fresh contemporary design.

"This will be a landmark building for Vancouver and for my career," says Mr. Erickson.