Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crystal blue waters, Vancouver is renowned for its natural beauty and biodiversity. It’s no surprise the coastal city is dotted with lush parks and greenspaces including the 1,001-acre Stanley Park. But while Stanley Park gets most of the attention from tourists and guidebooks, Vancouver has several lesser-known parks that are just as breathtaking.
Queen Elizabeth Park, for example, is a 130-acre public park situated between Riley Park-Little Mountain and South Cambie. Built on a former basalt quarry, the park is 500 feet above sea level, offering stunning views of the city, mountains and the North Shore. It’s also lined with manicured gardens, exotic and native trees, and recreational facilities. At the heart of the park is the Bloedel Conservatory, a domed heritage building that houses over 120 free-flying exotic birds and 500 exotic plants and flowers within its temperature-controlled environment.
The park’s location also places it in proximity to amenity-rich areas and up-and-coming neighbourhoods with several new home and condo projects currently under development. Here’s a look at five of them!
1. The Hillcrest
Developer(s): Vertex Developments
Location: Columbia Street and West King Edward Avenue
Priced from: $749,900
The Hillcrest features a limited collection of 17 contemporary townhomes designed by Formwerks Architects. Situated at West King Edward Avenue and Columbia Street, the community is just a few blocks away from both Queen Elizabeth Park and King Edward Skytrain station.
Exteriors boast elegant architecture characterized by soaring rooflines and a black-and-white colour palette paired with oversized dark-trimmed windows. The exterior’s clean lines and minimalist aesthetic is echoed in the Area3-designed interiors, where open-concept layouts are lined with contemporary finishes and colour schemes. Kitchens have been designed with the help of renowned Vancouver chef David Robertson of The Dirty Apron to offer style and functionality. Plus, home cooks will have access to a communal herb garden wall located in the centralized courtyard.
2. Chelsea
Developer(s): Cressey
Address: 4663 Cambie Street
Priced from: $1,359,900
Chelsea is a six-storey condominium scheduled for occupancy later this year. The development by Cressey features a total of 79 flats and townhomes directly across the street from Queen Elizabeth Park. The Hillcrest Aquatic Centre, Nat Bailey Stadium and the King Edward SkyTrain station are also all within walking distance.
Priced from $1,359,900, the homes at Chelsea are thoughtfully-designed and exquisitely finished. The signature CresseyKitchen™ features ample storage space, quartz countertops, porcelain slab backsplashes, and Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. Main living spaces sport classic herringbone-patterned hardwood floors, while spa-inspired bathrooms include heated floors and oversized, black-framed showers in the ensuites.
3. Marquise
Developer(s): Blairmore Development Group
Address: 469 West King Edward Avenue
Priced from: $1,289,900
Located in the heart of Cambie Village, Marquise is a 58-unit development that offers contemporary architecture, luxurious homes, and an ideal location close to the SkyTrain and Queen Elizabeth Park — just 10 minutes away on foot.
The six-storey mid-rise features sleek architecture by GBL Architects characterized by a soft two-tone colour palette, vertical design elements, staggered panels of glass and alternating windows. Amenities include a landscaped private courtyard and a communal rooftop terrace with garden plots, a barbecue and dining area, plus an outdoor play area for the kids.
Inside, the designers at Portico Design Group have created functional living spaces that blend together warmth and light. Living rooms are bathed in sunshine, while kitchens are inviting and purposeful with efficient storage solutions, integrated appliances, imported cabinets, and contemporary finishes including solid quartz countertops and backsplashes.
4. Holborn Little Mountain
Developer(s): Holborn
Location: 155 East 37th Avenue
Priced from: Contact developer
Holborn Little Mountain is a planned 15.2-acre community that will be home to approximately 1,400 residential units, a daycare facility, retail and commercial space, a vibrant village square and public spaces. Initial renderings show a collection of modern mid-rise buildings designed by IBI Group with large windows and balconies surrounded by extensive greenspaces.
Little Mountain’s ideal location places it within a stone’s throw of Queen Elizabeth Park, Nat Bailey Stadium, Hillcrest Community Centre and vibrant Main Street. The area is dotted with boutique shops, cafes and locally-owned restaurants.
5. 42nd & Cambie
Developer(s): Vivagrand Developments
Location: 5888 Cambie Street
Priced from: Contact developer
42nd & Cambie is a planned condominium by Vivagrand Developments located less than a kilometre south of Queen Elizabeth Park. Final details haven’t been released, but the developer has indicated that the project will feature a tower up to 330 feet high, an average residential floorplate of 6,500 square feet, and up to 8,500 square feet dedicated to commercial space.
Residents will have access to a wealth of indoor and outdoor amenities including a large public plaza. However, even more amenities are right across the street in the Oakridge Centre including Hudson’s Bay, Crate and Barrel, and a variety of other shops, services and restaurants.
