The Crosstown area of Vancouver is one of the city's great next cool neighbourhoods, loaded with character and wonderful opportunities to mix heritage with cutting-edge contemporary, as the Bowman Lofts are doing. We asked Robert Fung, president of the chic boutique developer The Salient Group, what he likes about the project.

What's special?

"Just about everything. We have a real heritage gem in one of the few intact heritage blocks in the city, from the Sun Tower to the Keefer Steps, built from 1906 to 1914. It was built as five storeys in 1906, added another two [later] and in 2006 we added another two to top it off. It's a unique opportunity to be able to create two-storey units."

What about the location?

"The proximity to downtown is unmatched. We're closer to the financial district than Yaletown and close to the entertainment district and the cultural-character districts of Chinatown and Gastown. We're in an intact heritage building that, at the south end, has a Skytrain station. I'd like the rebirth of the block to be the catalyst for Crosstown as a heritage district."

What do people like about the project?

"There's truly a benefit in that people can see the building. It's a real buiding with real character. There's an odd sense of familiarity about a building that has been there for a century that's different from walking into a new building. Some of the beams have been charred from a fire, which is one of the things we really like. All this provides a stronger sense of community for the people in the building. And there's lots of diversity in design, a lot of individuality, and the buyers are definitely individual. There are a dozen two-storey suites and a number of flats that are open plans but with identifiable spaces. The plans are open, they flow, the space use is efficient."

What standard features are impressing buyers?

"From our point of view we're trying to reduce the number of upgades to make everything standard. One upgrade is a swivelling prep table in the kitchen. But overall our goal is to make it so that if you have a couch and bed you can move in and live. There are window seats so you do need a couch. But there's adequate storage and the finishings are a good base quality. We have Bosch stainless appliances.

"All the new stuff is crisp and contemporary. We have gas cooktops, lacquered cabinets -- but also there are some references to take you through time, like extra-deep kitchen cabinets that could remind you of the '50s or '70s."

QUICK FACTS

The Bowman Block

What: 38 homes in Vancouver's Crosstown district

Where: 522 Beatty St., Vancouver

Developer: The Salient Group

Sizes: 674 sq. ft. to 745 sq. ft. for single-level lofts and 1,147 sq. ft. to 1,285 sq. ft. for two-level lofts

Prices: $330,000 to $600,000- plus

Open: By appointment only, 604-689-LOFT (5638) or visit www.bowmanlofts.com

© The Vancouver Province 2006