Millennium Water False Creek – A Green Waterfront Community

The challenge of designing for the Olympics and beyond. Millennium Water – Sixteen buildings make up this high-profile real estate development in Vancouver, planned first to house athletes for the 2010 Olympics ad later to become a model sustainable community of 1,100 residential units.

Published in the Westcoast Homes & Design – September 2007 and posted here to promote this magnificent Vancouver pre-construction real estate development and the sales launch soon to come.

“Millennium Water is the place to be,” says Barry Scott, partner of Maynards Auctioneers, observing the bustle of construction on the southeast sector of False Creek form his office window on West Second Avenue. Scott, who was born and raised in the neighbourhood – at Seventh and Columbia- knows the area as well as an auctioneering block. “as kids we used to pay in the water in False Creek. It was all industrial,” he recalls.

In two years, the area known as Southeast False Creek will become the Vancouver Olympic Athlete’s Village, providing accommodation for 2,800 Olympic athletes, coaches, officials before being converted into a model sustainable community called Millennium water in Vancouver.



“The rest of the world is looking at what Vancouver’s doing here,” says Scott. “The whole space between the bridge and Science World, from Second Avenue to the water – it’s amazing what’g going on. It’s the quality of what’s being built there and the balance of what’s on the site – a school, community centre, parks, amenities. Thee’ll be limited traffic, lots of bike routes, walking paths, and an electric tram in Millennium Water. It’s all really designed for people.

“You could live in the area without a car. You can easily get to sports or cultural events, art galleries or restaurants by a boat ride across False Creek or walk around the seawall.

Millennium Water, situated on the last remaining tract of undeveloped waterfront land near downtown Vancouver, includes approximately 25 acres of former industrial land once used for sawmills, foundries, shipbuilding, metalworking and salt distribution. In fact, the heritage building, the Domtar Saltbox, has been shored up and designated for public use on the site.

When completed, the Millennium Water neighbourhood will comprise of approximately 1,100 residential units – 730 condominiums and townhomes, 120 Millennium Water units of modest market housing and 250 units of affordable housing. It will establish a new standard for sustainable development in North America, with green buildings that use less energy, are based on renewable resources and help protect against the environment. For example, the area will be heated by waste thermal energy from filtered wastewater. Fifty per cent of the roofs will be green.

Millennium Water is developed by Millennium Southeast False Creek Properties Ltd., part of the Millennium Group of Companies, selected by the City of Vancouver to develop this real estate project property.

Sixteen residential buildings will make up Millennium Water with the flagship designed by renowned Vancouver Architect Arthur Erickson. His plan includes two gently curving crescents that face each other across a public garden of waterfalls and ponds.

Architectural firms involved in the real estate development include Merrick Architecture, Comberoff Bell Lyon Architects, Arthur Erickson/Nick Milkovich Architects, Inc. Walter Francl Architect and Lawrence Doyle Young and Wright Architects.

According to Trish de la Paz, marketing project manager at Rennie Marketing, there has alreadybeen a lot of interest in Millennium Water. “Our challenge and our goal is that we consider all the environmental aspects at the site while at the same time creating a luxurious product for the real estate market and a lasting legacy for the community.”

Construction of Millennium Water will continue up to and beyond the Olympic Games. “We hosted Expo ’86 and that’s when we handed out our business card to the world… and the world kept it. I don’t think we, as Vancouverites, understand the potential impact of what is likely going to be the single largest Vancouver world positioning event of our lifetime,” says Bob Rennie, principal of REnnie Marketing Systems.

The expansive Millennium Water presentation centre will open for previews September 29th at 212 West First Avenue (at Cook Street). Sales begin October 27th. Prices range from $450,000 to $6 million. For VIP Priority register on line at www.millenniumwater.com. For more information, phone 604.733.2010.

We are pleased to announce the opening of Vancouver False Creek’s Millennium Water's spectacular 11,000 square foot presentation centre and to invite you to be amongst the first to preview the homes in Vancouver's last waterfront community.

Located in Southeast False Creek, Millennium Water Condominium real estate development is at the heart of Vancouver's newest and most exciting waterfront neighbourhood that will also serve as the home of the 2010 Olympic Athletes' Village.

Millennium Water is designed to become Canada's first LEED Gold residential community. Utilizing the latest in green building technology and state-of-the-art architecture, Millennium Water False Creek will set a new precedent in sustainable living while providing the utmost in livability, comfort and luxury.

16 master-planned residential buildings at Milennium Water Vancouver will house a multitude of green space, bike paths, and a town square including an Urban Fare Gourmet Market, a drug store, a non-motorized boating facility, a childcare facility, a community centre and much more. Visit us and learn why Millennium Water is a world address and how you can be part of this Vancouver legacy.

MILLENNIUM WATER CONDOS PREVIEWS START SATURDAY OCTOBER 13 - SALES START SATURDAY OCTOBER 27

PHASE ONE HOMES FROM $450,000 to $3.5MILLION
PRESENTATION CENTRE
212 West 1st Avenue (enter on Cook St.)
Open daily 12-6pm (starting October 13), closed Fridays
604.733.2010 - millenniumwater.com

THIS IS NOT AN OFFERING FOR SALE. E. & O.E.

VIP Sales Event Reminder - Millennium Water Condo Homes Vancouver

YOU HAVE REGISTERED - YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO AN EXCLUSIVE VIP SALES EVENT AT MILLENNIUM WATER
DATE: THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2007
TIME: 4 – 8 PM
ADDRESS: MILLENNIUM WATER PRESENTATION CENTRE, 212 WEST 1ST AVENUE (ENTER ON COOK STREET)
RSVP BY OCTOBER 22, 2007

MILLENNIUMWATER.COM/VIP or 604.733.2010

PHASE I HOMES FROM $450,000 to $3.5MILLION
Availability at this event is based on a first-come, first serve basis. Please note that a deposit cheque and photo identification are required for purchase. We strongly encourage you to preview the presentation centre prior to the event.

PRESENTATION CENTRE OPEN DAILY 12-6PM, CLOSED FRIDAYS.
For more information, please contact a sales representative at 604.733.2010 or visit our web site at millenniumwater.com.

Millennium Water Village Condos Go On Sale

Public can buy Olympic housing starting at 4pm. By Jeff Hodson for Metro Vancouver newspaper – Thursday, October 25, 2007.

For the past six nights, Chris Shin has camped in his car; holding a place for a realtor who will be among the first to purchase part of Vancouver’s Olympic Village. The 1,100 unit 16 building Millennium Water condominium project in Southeast False Creek goes on sale to the public at 4pm today. Suites range from $450,000 to $3.5 million. It will be home to 2,800 athletes and official during the 2010 Games.

“It’s the first new real estate community on the West Side of Vancouver that we’ve seen in a long time,” said Bob Rennie, marketing realtor for the real estate development. Yesterday and Tuesday, those involved with the development were given first crack at 100 of the 302 units that will be sold to the public in the first phase of the property development known as Millennium Water False Creek.

By yesterday afternoon about 55 people waited in a lineup that stretched for about half a block outside the real estate project’s presentation centre in the 200 Block of West First Avenue. Most, like Shin, who is among 10 who have been in line since Saturday- were being paid by realtors to hold a place in line. He refused to say how much he was being paid.

“It’s not really tough,” said the 23 year old BCIT student, looking tired and unshaven. “I’m used to doing a couple of hours or the day before. It’s the first time I’ve done five days.”

Millennium Water Invites You
Millennium Water is proud to be the title sponsor for the 2008 Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation Gala. Mark March 27th on your calendars and purchase your tickets now – attendees will receive front-of-the-line access to preview Millennium Water’s Phase Two Marina Homes!

Tickets are already over 50% sold out! Call 604.875.1775 today or fax back the RSVP form to hold your spot (click here to download the RSVP form). We look forward to seeing you at this exciting event!

The Millennium Water Sales Team
212 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3T2
t. 604.733.2010 | f. 604.733.2120 | e. info@millenniumwater.com | w. millenniumwater.com

Millennium Water - Vancouver's Last Waterfront Community - Your VIP Invitation

Located at 212 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC Canada V5Y 3T2 or you can call 604.733.2010. Home of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Athlete's Village where Phase One Residences are sold out and the Millennium Water Phase Two Marina Homes previews start April 5th, 2008! Be a part of Vancouver Legacy on April 18th. According to Rennie's print marketing, You are invited to an Exclusive VIP Sales Event for Millennium Water Marina Homes. Early presales home buyers are entitled to a 2% VIP Discount (all purchases of Millennium Water Phase Two Marina Homes prior to the public opening on April 19, 2008 are entitled to a 2.0% discount off the purchase price. Offer is subject to change. Terms and conditions may apply, please see a Millennium Water sales represetative for full details. Date for the grand opening of Phase 2 Marina Homes is Friday, April 18, 2008 between 4 and 8pm. The location is that the Millennium Water Presentation Centre and you must RSVP by April 11 to Jenny Lee at 604.682.2088 or www.millenniumwater.com/VIP. Light refreshments will be served. It is stronly recommended that you preview the Presentation Centre prior to April 18. Please bring your invitation for entry to this exclusive pre-construction Millennium Water sales event. Photo identification and a deposit cheque are required for purchase.

Millennium Water Phase Two Marina Homes Opening Weekend Offer

WHAT IF YOU COULD OWN 100% LUXURY at Phase 2 Marina Homes at Millennium Water WITH ONLY 15%* DOWN? Well you can! As a registered VIP at Millennium Water Marina Homes, take advantage of an OPENING WEEKEND ONLY Phase 2 offer to own with only 15%* down! The Millennium Water PHASE TWO - MARINA HOMES VIP SALES EVENT takes place this Friday, April 18th from 4-8pm at our Presentation Centre. If you’ve yet to RSVP, please call Jenny at 604.682.2088 or register online at www.millenniumwater.com/vip. (*Offer is subject to change. 10% due upon signing, 5% due within six-months of signing date. Offer only valid on new phase two contracts written before April 21, 2008. See a sales representative for more details.) As always, feel free to contact our sales team at 604.733.2010 or visit our web site at millenniumwater.com for more information. See you soon! The Millennium Water Sales Team - 212 West 1st Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 3T2 | t. 604.733.2010 | f. 604.733.2120 | e. info@millenniumwater.com | w. millenniumwater.com

Are the Vancouver Olympic Village Costs Known?

According to 24Hrs, there are worries about cost overruns at the Vancouver Olympic Village now more than ever. In March, Vancouver city council awarded BTY Group a $300,000 contract, without public competition, for “cost consulting and project monitoring.” BTY principal Neill McGowan wouldn’t commuent on his company’s work, citing a confidentiality clause. Mayor Sam Sullivan, however claims the Vancouver Olympic Village condo project is “financial stable,” but refused to disclose what city council heard behind closed doors last week. “We don’t talk about in-camera items,” Sullivan said. Asked if there are cost overruns, Sullivan said: “From the real estate developer’s point of view costs are going up, not any greater than any other project.” The Millennium Development Group principals Peter Malek and Shahram Malekyazdi did not return 24 hours’ phone calls. The Vancouver Olympic Village condo mortgage is held by New York based Fortress Credit Corporation and city hall. By Bob M for 24 hours. Transparency is required for the Olympic Village says Robertson according to Kristen T for MetroNews Vancouver. Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson is calling for transparency at City Hall over whether taxpayers will have to bail out the real estate developer, Millennium Group of the Vancouver Olympic Village. Last week, Vancouver city council met behind closed doors to discuss what will happen if the Millennium Development Corp building in False Creek real estate can’t pay back its bank. “There’s… some real concerns about the project being over budget by as much as $100 million, and whether the developer has the financing to complete the project,” he said. “The real concern is whether the people of Vancouver are on the hook for (it)… and I hope to hear commitment that we have an open process to evaluate the situation.” Building the Olympic Village in Vancouver’s False Creek – The Athlete’s Village is a $1-billion, 1,100 condo unit development in Southeast False Creek by the Millennium Development Corp which will become private residences after the 2010 Olympic Games.

$60 Million in Cost Overruns in Vancouver Olympic Village by Millennium Development Group

Sometimes it takes a nation to build a village according to Vancouver 24Hrs. The apartment complex for the athletes, coaches and support staff at the Vancouver Olympic Games may e the most troublesome venue to finance. Millennium Development, the private company chosen to Vancouver city hall to build Vancouver’s 2010’s Olympic Village, is wrestling with more than $60 million in cost overruns and pressure from primary lender Fortress Credit Corporation. Anxiety struck city council long before last weeks’ closed door meeting. In March, project cost monitor BTY Group was hired for $300,000 without a tendering process. The true cost of Montreal’s 1976 Olympic Village may never be known. Developer Joe Zappia was charged with fraud and conspiracy for falsifying village construction costs, but acquitted in 1988 when key witnesses died before they could testify. The $1.5 billion Olympic debt was finally retired in 2006. The $2 billion London 2012 village began construction in June but the government there is already considering a bailout because private funders can’t be found. More than 400 Sochi, Russia residents are being evicted to make way fro the 2014 Olympic Village. Bob M.