News and Features
Pie in the Sky
By Fiona Morrow published Sep 1, 2007
Does Vancouver have any edge?" Charlie Smith, a realtor from London, wonders. We're on the enormous deck of a private residence in Coal Harbour's Callisto building. The tables are dressed with soft gold drapery. A jazz trio sets the tempo as early arrivals sip bubbly and look around for potential cover from the gathering storm. I tell Charlie about the Downtown Eastside. He looks bemused.
Delta Group and Sotheby's International Realty Canada have flown in 10 of Sotheby's leading property scouts from around the world to explore Vancouver and check out the blueprints for the elite Residences at Hotel Georgia. After dinner the previous night at Cioppino's, a day checking out the project and a float plane tour, the agents have been invited for cocktails and dinner at the Coal Harbour home of Delta Land Development president and CEO Bruce Langereis.
This two-day, wining-and-dining tour will set Delta back about $100,000, a worthwhile investment if the agent's clients-Hollywood celebrities and more discreet multi-millionaires-purchase one of the mansions in the sky at the Hotel Georgia, set to open in 2010. The penthouse suite-7,100 square feet, listed at $14-million-includes four bedrooms, four decks, a formal dining room seating 14 and a kitchen spacious enough to accommodate a catering crew.
Jennifer Lopez's agent, who was invited on the trip but cancelled last minute, has arranged for a private tour later in the summer. So has the property scout from Dubai, who represents several Arab princes.
