Yeah, yeah – the Lower Mainland’s housing prices outrageous. So what? It’s still oddly thrilling to scour the real estate listings in search of the most lavish, fabulous homes on the market.
Rather than make you work for it, we’ve compiled a list of the five most expensive homes currently listed in Metro Vancouver. The majority of these are in Vancouver and West Vancouver. Whoduh thunk it?
1. 1-3838 Cypress Street, Vancouver – $35,000,000
You’re reading that right: this Shaughnessy home (pictured above) can be yours for a cool $35,000,000. Not only that, but you can be a part of Vancouver history, as this “Heritage A” mansion was once the home to a former Lieutenant-Governor, though which Lieutenant-Governor has yet to be clarified.
The 12,216 square-foot residence boasts nine bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, three kitchens and no less than two wine cellars. In case you’re wondering, a 25-year mortgage with a 20 per cent down payment (read: $7 million) will set the cost at $140,175 per month.
2. 1416 Wesbrook Crescent, Vancouver – $19,800,000
Entertain your friends and impress your enemies with this 7,876-square-foot slice of heaven in UBC’s endowment lands. With sweeping views overlooking the Georgia Strait and onto the North Shore mountains, you can remind yourself every waking moment that life is really only worth living with millions in the bank. Also, there’s a pool.
3. Bramwell Road, West Vancouver – $17,178,000
With panoramic ocean views, 16-seat home theatre and some of the gaudiest interior craftsmanship this side of first century Rome, this 15,960-square-foot Chartwell home is a testament to all that is opulent. We won’t play guessy-goo with who’d actually buy this house, but they undoubtedly enjoy the finer things in life, what with its indoor pool and hot tub, its tennis court, its elevator, his and her offices and, of course, the nanny suite, which is evidently not counted among the eight bedrooms and bathrooms.
4. 13822 Marine Drive, Surrey – $14,888,000
The only home on this list outside of Vancouver or West Vancouver, this White Rock home sits on over 70,000 square feet of south facing property with a full view of the ocean. That means lots of sun, folks – perfect for summer barbeques, baby showers and, uh, equestrian tournaments? Or whatever rich people do with excess lawn space and nice weather.
Bill Daniels, who’s known for his attention to luxurious detail, designed the home. This is essentially a rich man’s compound, featuring an indoor pool, a massage room, spa, theatre and stage (!) and a gym.
5. 2860 Mathers Ave., West Vancouver – $14,500,000
This might be the greatest house in BC, if not on Earth… and it can be yours for more than most of us can even conceive of making in our lifetime. This thoroughly modern Altamont home features a media room, indoor swimming pool, a massive gym, wine cellar, fully integrated audio and video systems and a heated driveway. Yes, a heated driveway.
Most impressive is just how “green” this residence is, with geothermal for heating and cooling systems, rain water capture systems and solar panels for hot water. Seriously, this place is a geek’s dream-palace come true.
6. 3333 The Crescent, Vancouver – $13,680,000
This neo-Tudor Shaughnessy monstrosity was built in 1911 and looks as though it hasn’t been worked on since. The interiors need some updating and each of the eight bedrooms look like they could (or should) be haunted. Also, there are “fireplaces everywhere” and “elegant sitting room,” according to the listing. Sounds perfect for the wealthy elderly or people who love antiques. It has a nice garden though.
7. 6633 Cartier Street, South Granville – $13,888,000
We don’t like to throw the word “exquisite” around casually, so believe us when we say that this place is, you know, exquisite. It’s exactly what you’d imagine a mansion to be, if someone asked you to close your eyes and repeat the word “mansion” three times. It includes a grand foyer with high ceilings, ornate spiral staircases like something out of a Fitzgerald novel, marble flooring, chandeliers that’d make Liberace weep and a pool room with a beach scene painted on the walls.
8. 805 King Georges Way, West Vancouver – $13,800,000
This puppy’s brand new. It’s never been used! Still has that new-house smell and everything!
No expense was spared in building this eight-bedroom/seven-bathroom mansion in the British Properties. Comes with ocean and mountain views, along with the standard fixings for wealthy homeowners: pool, elevator, crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms, so forth and so on... Also, an onyx bathtub in the master suite, because why not?
9. 2415 Hudson Court, West Vancouver – $12,800,000
Built in 2008, this West Vancouver home offers a 270-degree panoramic view with what might just be the best view of all homes on this list. Its frontage overlooks five homes below, which is perfect for those prone to feeling high and mighty. Enormous Italian Sneidoro kitchen, media room and indoor/outdoor pool make this the perfect home for raising kids and impressing all those visiting California snobs who think Beverley Hills is the bees-knees. To which you can say, “Please.”
10. 2106 Marine Drive, Vancouver – $12,800,000
A Tudor-inspired residence sitting on four acres in Vancouver’s Southlands, this home is perfect for comfortable family living, if you have the bank to make this work. The neighbourhood’s close proximity to horse stables, golf courses and boat moorage also make for the ideal sophisticated lifestyle for very wealthy people. Why strive for any less?
