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Though it's mostly overshadowed by the larger neighbouring city of Vancouver to the west, Burnaby's development scene has been just as active in recent years, with an explosion of new condominiums coming online and beginning construction. The city of over 220,000 people is the third largest by population in the province of British Columbia. Major commercial corporations like Telus, Nokia, and Mercedes Benz maintain large outposts in Burnaby, which is also home to Canada's second largest shopping mall, Metropolis at Metrotown. Its wide selection of diverse retail offerings are a boon for the growing Metro Vancouver region, which is unfortunately beset by some of the highest housing prices in North America. The demand for housing is partly being met by new developments that aim to enhance Burnaby's residential and retail mix, including the four-tower Solo District by Appia Development.
The first tower of the entire 1,400-unit complex, Stratus, finished construction in 2015. It is now being followed up by the second phase, Altus, which is quickly climbing towards its eventual 184-metre apex. The 48-storey residential building includes a 12-level office portion which incorporates 230,000 square feet of space. Set to become Burnaby's tallest tower upon completion, residents will have a bird's eye view of their surroundings from an unparalleled vantage point when they access the rooftop amenity area. Dubbed Club 55, it promises to feature over 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The sizeable deck offers a full kitchen, dining room, poker table, ping pong table, pool table, media centre, and BBQ-equipped outdoor lounging zone. On the third floor, a fitness studio and outdoor multisport court will sit adjacent to a garden shared with the office tenants.
Residences will be appointed with imported Italian Armony Cucine cabinetry in the kitchens and bathroom, laminate wood flooring, smooth nine-foot ceilings, and polished quartz countertops. The top levels of the tower will contain four suites, the largest of which is 1,709 square feet, accommodating three bedrooms and three baths. Interiors won't be taking shape quite yet, as photos from Forum contributor mcminsen show Altus just now beginning to ascend over the lower office component.
Chris Dikeakos Architects is the firm responsible for the design of each tower within the complex, which includes a Whole Foods Market as part of the 100,000 square feet of retail to be developed. Between the buildings, a network of large boulevards and pedestrian-friendly pathways divide the site. For a more communal experience, a central plaza situated between Stratus and Altus will foster a community atmosphere that encourages engagement with neighbours. Phases three and four — Cirrus and Aerius — will continue with the theme provided by the first half of the development by incorporating limestone, wood, and glass into their facades.
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
