Vancouver's West End are frustrated that the developer decided to replace the building materials at the last minute.
Source: Developer's Rendering
of the Property Modus is a 17-unit development currently under development at 1488 Park Dr. The project's website describes the units as "spacious two- and three-bedroom townhouses" with prices starting at "around 1.4 million yuan.".
Until recently, the apartments were marketed as concrete buildings. Late
last month, the buyer was surprised to receive an email from developercentred Developments explaining that due to what it called "unforeseen circumstances," the project would be built with a traditional timber structure instead of the previously promised Insulated Concrete Form (ICF).
One frustrated buyer shared the project's email to CTV News in May 2021, which read, "This concrete with integrated foam material provides superior energy efficiency and better sound insulation." The buyer asked not to be named
for fear of angering the developer during construction. He said the construction of the ICF was one of the reasons that attracted them to the project in the first place.
The buyer said, "We wanted something specific and that's why we bought the property.". We chose this because of the concrete.
Developer says ICF will mean delay
In an email to buyers, the company announced the replacement of building materials, saying the continued use of concrete would cause unpredictable delays. "We know that ICF buildings offer some of the features you look forward to enjoying in your new home,"
the email read.
"However, the structural design of the building is already too old and changes to support the higher loads required for the ICF building would significantly delay the completion date, which we do not believe buyers would accept."
The email does not explain why the structural design of the building was never planned for ICF in the first place, but the information provided by the City of Vancouver about the development seems to provide the answer.
The city said the application for the development permit was originally for timber
. Corrie Okell, director of permit services in Vancouver, said the city received an application to build a three-storey building on the 1488 Park Dr. And approved the development permit in May 2019. "The application is for a wood-frame townhouse building at ground level with a concrete park below ground level,
" Okell said in a statement to CTV.
"This form of construction is in accordance with the Vancouver Building Code."
Okell added that Vancouver made "a minor change" to the development permit in April, but "it did not include changing the above-ground building from a wood structure to a concrete structure.".
When asked why the project was being marketed as a "concrete townhouse" in May 2021, when that was not the type of building included in its approved development permit application, Centred Developments told CTV News that they intended to switch from timber to ICF. But in the end it was impossible to do so. 'We Acknowledge that the original application submitted and approved in May 2019 was for a timber townhouse development, 'the
developer said in an emailed statement.
"The marketing of the project as a 'concrete townhouse' reflects the planned ICF construction.". During the course of the project, changes were made to the original development plan, including building materials. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we determined that implementing the ICF construction would result in significant delays, which is unacceptable to our buyers.
The developer also noted that the townhouses were indeed described as wooden structures in the project's property disclosure statement.
Buyers say legal action is' justified '
The frustrated buyer said they asked through a real estate agent hoping they would get a discount on the purchase price because the developer chose to use what the buyer said was a "cheaper material.".
They were told no such discounts would be offered and said they believed it was "reasonable" to take legal action to claim compensation for the change in building materials. Buyers,
meanwhile, bemoan amount of effort that seems likely to be required to get a result they believe is fair. "It's like, 'Oh, the developer is at fault, and I have to pay for their mistakes,'"
the buyer said.
Centred Developments, for its part, says it is committed to "providing high-quality homes.". "We will continue to use quality materials and ensure that all building codes and standards are met or exceeded,"
the developer said.
"We understand that some buyers may have concerns or questions about the change in building materials.". We are committed to addressing their individual needs and encourage them to contact us directly.
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