When Gabriel Grzybowski and his wife, Elizabeth, decided to buy their first home, they didn’t initially consider Port Moody.
The Vancouver-based couple wanted more space to accommodate working from home and the possibility of starting a family. “We’re currently in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom,” he says, “so it’s pretty tight.”
A friend referred the couple to Portwood, EDGAR Development’s multi-phase residential development in Port Moody. Coincidentally, Grzybowski’s godfather had done some architectural design for the project.
“When I talked to him, he was very confident in not just EDGAR, but also Axiom, the builder,” recounts Grzybowski, adding that other potential developments he and his wife visited in Vancouver and North Vancouver weren’t up to par with the quality they were looking for.
So, the couple decided to purchase a townhome in Umbra, the first phase of Portwood.
“It’s a three-bedroom concrete townhouse, and that’s extremely rare in Vancouver nowadays,” he says. “I thought, for the price point, this is a very good opportunity.”
The development has been a draw for many young families wanting to settle down in a safe neighbourhood with nature just outside the door, and with easy access to urban conveniences—all without paying city prices.
Now, Portwood’s first phase is set to begin welcoming residents later this year.
Umbra will be home to 219 residences and is one of five neighbourhoods that will make up the roughly 2,000 homes across Portwood’s 23 acres in the heart of Port Moody. The master-planned community will ultimately span 20 buildings that range from six to 19 storeys, with both strata and rental housing.
One of the distinct features of the Portwood development is that the amenities will be built out right away so the community’s first residents can take advantage of the outdoor courtyard, gym, children’s playroom and social lounge. The Portwood community will also include a 12,300 square foot daycare, café and other boutique service retail.
“There’s going to be access to trails and hiking close by, as well as a daycare for children, a huge incentive for people with kids, which we hope to have soon,” says Grzybowski. “It’s kind of like its own little community within Port Moody. Where we are right now in Vancouver is super busy and loud. It’s going to be quite a bit quieter, which will be nice.”
Green space and proximity to amenities were pull factors for Kara McCann and her mother as well. Nearly 70 percent of Portwood is green space, which includes two parks, communal outdoor gathering places, bike paths and a 1.5-kilometre walking trail.
McCann currently lives in the U.S. but plans on returning to Canada after she retires to be closer to her mother, who’s in her 80s and currently lives in Port Moody.
“I wanted her to have access to whatever she might need without having to drive somewhere,” says McCann, referring to the retail amenities at Portwood. “My mom and I both wanted a place that was surrounded by nature, with more of a rural feel than a city feel,” she adds.
McCann purchased a one-bedroom unit on the top floor—the same floor as her mom’s unit—with vaulted ceilings and a spacious balcony facing the green belt. For McCann, this was ideal since the apartment would be a second home while her husband continued to work in the U.S.
“It had everything that I was looking for,” she says.
Another appeal for McCann: the Scandinavian design. Designed by Acton Ostry Architects, the low-carbon-emission build marries design, sustainability and quality. EDGAR has invested in higher-quality soundproofing for the townhomes and durable metal roofing.
Inside the units, buyers choose between a light or dark-toned palette, with imported Italian kitchens by Inform Projects, a primary bedroom with space for a king-sized bed, air conditioning and a roomy private deck to soak in the Port Moody surroundings.
“I love the natural, biophilic feel to the exterior, and the beautiful cabinetry and colour schemes on the interior,” says McCann. “I just thought it was very thoughtfully and beautifully done.”
Umbra, the first phase of Portwood, is 80 percent sold, and the 3,000-square-foot presentation centre on site is now doing hard hat tours for buyers and potential buyers.
For more information or to book a tour, call or email the sales team: 604-931-8096 or [email protected].
Discover more at portwood.ca/umbra.
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