Retreats: They escape to city condo

Article by: John Ewoldt , Star Tribune
Updated: July 5, 2008 - 10:33 AM

hide

Views of Tom Reynen and Steve Gryzan's condo building in Vancouver from George Wainborn Park.

Photo: , Handout

Cart Buy Photos

Camera Star Tribune photo galleries

Camera view larger

8
comments
resize text
print
buy reprints

Tweet
share

email
Email share

your name

your email

recipients email

+ add a comment add a comment

Tom Reynen and Steve Gryzan's home in Shoreview sits on a heavily wooded lot with 200 feet of lakeshore. When the couple considered a second home, a cabin up north seemed like a duplication, so their getaway is on the 19th floor of a sleek condo building in Vancouver, British Columbia. They discovered their fondness for the city during a stop on an Alaskan cruise. With Vancouver being a compact city, they rarely rent a car.

The building borders a park and a seawall that winds along the city's waterfront, English Bay, Stanley Park and downtown. The condo has one bedroom plus a den, about 750 square feet.

Value: In Vancouver, property values haven't dipped. The couple paid $330,000 Canadian four years ago (about $260,000 U.S.). The condo is now worth about $550,000 Canadian. The city is in a building boom in anticipation of hosting the 2010 winter Olympics.

Distance: A three-hour nonstop flight.

Unique feature: It's a foodie's paradise, said Reynen. The city is full of wonderful restaurants along with great seafood and produce.

Summer fun: Shakespeare festival called Bard on the Beach and the Celebration of Light, an international fireworks festival, both the last week of July.

Area must-see: Vancouver is a good starting point to visit other parts of the Pacific Northwest, including Victoria and Whistler, British Columbia, and the wine country in Okanagan Valley.

JOHN EWOLDT

related content
Choose a time share for vacation options

Last update: Thursday July 3, 2008 - 10:32 AM

You're in a bind. You rarely want to visit the same place twice -- that's what has kept you from buying a vacation home -- but you want to lock in some of the costs of future vacations.

IT COULD BE YOURS FOR ...
$293,200 (U.S.): Views of the ocean are a highlight of the one-bedroom condo for sale in this building. Prudential Sussex Realty, 1-604-925-2911. $2,445,000 (U.S.): A three-bedroom condo sits on the water's edge in the lively Beach Crescent neighborhood. Sutton Group-West Coast Realty, 1-604-935-3380.