A preservationist in deed, Murray Rosengren looks over the project model in the Vancouver presentation centre that shows how he incorporated old building and new dwellings.
Some developers would have instantly called in the bulldozers. The eight-room Mayne Inn, built in 1911, occupied prime real estate. It could have made way for something, bigger, better, newer.
Island power stopped builder Murray Rosengren.
"It's a very small community -- a small island -- and we really felt responsible and cared about the place," he says. "We decided it's more important to develop it and enhance it, but keep the historic size and shape."
"There are a lot of emotions attached to it," says Rosengren, who lives full-time on the island.
So, instead of wiping the slate clean, Rosengren designed his 18-cottage Mayne Island Resort and Beach Homes around the landmark, which will still continue to function as a hotel.
Now -- he states proudly -- the development has a real heart.
The preservation of the Inn made a huge difference to Adrienne Ash, 54, a North Vancouver computer consultant. Ash and her husband had stayed at the Inn a couple of times and fell in love with Bennett Bay, so when the opportunity arose to buy into Rosengren's new development, they purchased a 1/8 share in one of the beach homes.
"It just contributes to the whole atmosphere of the place," says Ash. "We like the fact that they haven't overdeveloped, they haven't built too many units . . . so it's a bit exclusive in a way."
Shares are offered in eighths, starting at $59, 900, which opens a door for people who may feel that seaside vacation homes are out of their league.
"For a lot of people, being able to own waterfront property -- particularly in the Gulf Islands -- is a dream that a lot of people have, but isn't very attainable for many of us," says Ash.
In fact, Royal LePage's 2006 recreational property report stated that the average lakefront property in B.C. is nearing $996, 000.
Another big plus for Ash is the commute via boat (Mayne Island is approximately one hour from both Vancouver and Victoria).
"You just have a nice hour leisurely trip over on the ferry, you get off and it's a short drive there," she explains. "At one point we had looked at The Okanagan, but it's a long enough drive. And then with the traffic the way it is now, it's a stressful commute to and from somewhere you're trying to go to relax!"
With a year-round population of 900, Mayne Island is an easily accessible refuge from bustling city life. A full roster of outdoor activities, from whale watching to clam digging, is available, while the renovated Inn will provide (amongst other things) a spa, restaurant, owner's clubhouse and beer/wine boutique.
The post-and-beam beach homes, all one bedroom and similar in size, are designed to accommodate four adults (the bedroom contains one king sized bed and the living room features a pull-out bed). Rosengren was committed to providing top-notch quality throughout the custom made decor and furnishings.
For instance, when it comes to the cabinet hardware, "each handle is worth nearly $100," says Rosengren.
Other highlights include hand scraped birch flooring, stainless steel built-in appliances (including a gourmet gas barbeque) and 12 foot vaulted ceilings. Grand double doors open from both the bedroom and living room directly to the sea, enabling a seamless outdoor/indoor living environment.
"You lay in bed and just look right out at the ocean," says Rosengren.
And small touches give the homes personality. For instance, there is a gouged wood accent panel above the sink and the bathroom features beach pebbles inset in slate tile.
But Rosengren is equally proud of the features you can't necessarily see with the naked eye. Locals raised questions as to how the development would affect their environment. Rosengren's answer came in the form of a state-of-the-art sewage treatment system, water-efficient appliances and the use of rainwater.
"We're going to be storing pushing 100,000 gallons of rainwater that we'll capture off the roof of the resort and we'll be installing a second plumbing system in every unit. All of the toilets will be flushed with captured rainwater," he says.
As well, the cottages will be partially earth-sheltered, which Rosengren says is highly efficient for heating.
rosler@png.canwest.com
FROM YOUR ISLAND COTTAGE
Testimonials to the attraction of fractional ownership are these views of the Mayne Inn from its dock and of Bennett Bay below the inn, both provided by the developer of Mayne Island Resort and Beach Homes.
ATTAINABLE 'DREAM'O
" ... Being able to own waterfront property -- particularly in the Gulf Islands -- is a dream that a lot of people have, but isn't very attainable for many of us," comments Adrienne Ash of North Vancouver, who with her husband a buyer of a one-eighth share of one cottage.
$59,000 NOT $1 MILLION
With properties on the water approaching an asking price of $1 million, a fractional-ownership asking price of $59,000, the base price for the Mayne Island cottages, provides extraordinary access to some extraordinary properties around the province.
