By Jen Dart

The first time Shore condo owners Dave and Linda Hartzell visited Tofino they flew in and couldn’t leave.

It wasn’t self-imposed, however. It was September 2001 and all air traffic was grounded due to the attacks in their native United States.

“People were so kind,” said Dave. “It impressed us so much how kind Tofino was and we still feel that way.”

Now 10 years later, the Portland couple owns a waterfront condo at the Shore building on Main St. and they couldn’t be happier about their home away from home.

The Hartzells first visited the area for its exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. They stayed because they found not only a great community, but also the perfect property for their lifestyle.

“The Shore concept made sense to us,” says David. “We have storage for our two kayaks, surfboards, boogie boards and wetsuits.”

Linda adds that they are constantly amazed by the ever-changing view from their floor-to-ceiling window.

“There’s always something happening here,” says Linda of Tofino harbour. “It changes all the time.”

You might be treated to a 45 minute display of eagles playing, like Linda was, or manage to take “about 200” completely different pictures of the same mountain, as the Hartzells have.

Dave also calls their view “the best desktop view I’ve ever seen.”

Both Linda and Dave often bring work with them to Tofino, enabling them to stay away for longer periods of time.

“People want to be able to work from anywhere,” says Linda. “I get up early and work from 7am-12pm. I’ve already gotten five hours in and then I’ll take the afternoon off and go kayaking.”

“Nature pulls you away from your work; I get my work done so I can play.”

Dave and Linda were only the second buyers of a condo at the Shore. They’ve been a part of the project from the get-go, even visiting the building during construction.

Seeing the building coming together allowed them ample time to choose the right pieces to furnish their second home. In their one-bedroom condo, one piece is a Murphy hide-away bed for visitors.

In terms of distance to get to Tofino, the Hartzells have a distinct advantage – because Dave is a pilot, they can be door to door from Portland in less than three hours.

But even if traveling here took longer, Linda says their retreat in this area would be well worth it.

“Tofino has it all – mountains and beaches,” she says.

“For people who like the outdoors, it’s the best of everything,” adds Dave.

Tags: The Shore Tofino, tofino condo, Tofino home, tofino real estate
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By Jen Dart

It seems as if buildings in downtown Vancouver were more affected by the Sept. 9 earthquake off the coast of Vancouver Island than those in downtown Tofino.

When the magnitude 6.4 quake hit approximately 50 km off the coast of Port Alice (northern Vancouver Island), many residents in BC registered a distinct shaking sensation for a few seconds.

In Tofino, those who were outside on beaches and in town seemed to notice a rumbling. Not so for many who were inside the Shore building when the event occurred at 12:41pm.

Ken Thomson, the proprietor of the marine charter company Ocean Outfitters on the ground level of the Shore building (facing Main St.), was making a coffee for a customer at the coffee bar in his business when the earthquake occurred. He noticed a ripple in the drink and also felt a slight rumble. At the time, he attributed it at the time to the construction currently underway on the dock for the restaurant that’s part of the Shore project.

“I felt it a little in my legs,” said Thomson, “but not much. I was the only one that felt it – and the store was full.”

His whale watching and Hot Springs trips departed as usual, with no one the wiser to what had just transpired. It wasn’t until later when his daughter called to check on him that Thomson realized there had been an earthquake.

The quake caused high-rise buildings all over the lower mainland to sway, generating more of an impact that it did in Tofino, which was much closer to the epicentre of the quake off Port Alice. In fact, the effects were felt as far away as Kelowna and Seattle.

The Shore building, which houses both businesses and residents, is ideally designed for the BC coast – an area prone to seismic activity. The building is entirely reinforced concrete and steel constructed, and it’s wide base and low elevation make it as stable as possible. The building rises only two stories from Main St., with a third story descending towards the shoreline and dock area.

Built with concrete and heavy timber, the Shore is also designed to withstand a harsh marine environment in general.

Living with the possibility of an earthquake is a reality all over British Columbia, but especially true in coastal regions. The province and municipal governments have done much planning in this area. And because Tofino hosts many visitors, it is especially pertinent here. You may have noticed the roadside signs indicating when you have entered and exited a tsunami hazard zone. This indicates the area is below the expected elevation to which a tsunami wave would rise.

For all areas of Main St., the evacuation zone is Wickaninnish Community School on Gibson St. It is recommended that you proceed there immediately in the event of a strong earthquake and the possible generation of a tsunami. For more details of emergency preparedness and for evacuation maps, please visit the District of Tofino website.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmakatejackson/5591442537/

Tags: earthquake preparedness, Shore construction, The Shore, Tofino, Tofino earthquake
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By Jen Dart

The team at the Shore has developed an exciting promotion for their final release of units.

There are only five remaining residential units at this luxury mixed residential and commercial building on Tofino’s waterfront. And the buyers of these last remaining harbourside and penthouse suites are now eligible for free fast travel to and from Vancouver.

The Shore is offering free flights for two years from Tofino to and from the south terminal at Vancouver International Airport for those who purchase units before Sept. 15.

This scenic Orca Air flight takes you over the Georgia Straight and across the mountains and lakes of Vancouver Island. The final descent into the Tofino-Ucluelet airport brings you swooping down directly over Long Beach.

The Shore’s “Buy and Fly” promotion began July 30, 2011 and runs until Sept. 15, 2011. It entitles buyers during this time period to free flights for two years from the date of the sale contract. The offer is valid for up to four people per sale. Up to 48 flights to and from Vancouver are included.

At regular flight prices, this offer is worth roughly $8,000 before taxes.

Orca Air, currently the only air carrier offering regularly scheduled flights between Tofino and Vancouver, is the fastest option for travel to Tofino (other than chartered float plane). Driving from Vancouver, including the time it takes for the BC Ferries crossing, takes about five hours. Granted, Highway 4 from Port Alberni to Tofino is one of the most spectacular drives you’ll find on the coast, but the flight offers even more stunning views of the mountains and coastal areas of mid-Vancouver Island. And you can use the time you save for beach walking and relaxing in front of a breathtaking view of mountains, rainforest and ocean from your condo.

In terms of residential units at the Shore, only five of 24 remain. Two of these are first floor harbourfront condos. These units range in size from 828 to 1,168 square feet.

There are also three penthouses suites available, each with two bedrooms and two baths, from 1,890 to 1,953 square feet.

For a full listing of prices and further details, please see our Shore Information Sheet.

Part of the development plans for the Shore building including a waterfront walkway and a marina and restaurant on the foreshore dock.

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino commercial real estate, tofino condo, tofino real estate, tofino waterfront
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Maria Peters of Leap Marketing in Vancouver has joined the Shore development’s team for the final release of units for this unique project.

Located at the “centre of town, edge of the world,” the Shore building is a mixed commercial and residential project on Tofino’s waterfront, looking out into the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound.

Peters is overseeing the final release of five residential and five commercial units, including the restaurant space located on the foreshore dock.

She is stationed at the Shore’s sales centre, located on the street level of the development at 368 Main St in Tofino.

Peters said she is thrilled to be in Tofino and involved with the Shore: “My partner Christa Frosch (of Sotheby’s Vancouver) and I are both involved and committed to the project.”

Her focus is to showcase the last few remaining units from the sales centre.

Currently, only five residential units remain – two one-bedroom waterfront units and three penthouse suites.

The waterfront harbourview units are priced from $525,500, while the penthouse suites range from $1,345,000 to $1,389,900.

In terms of commercial availability, there are four units fronting Main St. still available for purchase. Current tenants include Ocean Outfitters, Covet Boutique, and Westland Insurance. These units, which front Main St., range from $458,000 to $459,500 (1,032 to 1,061 square feet).

Maria has been in the Tofino office since early July, and has met a varied mix of people coming through the doors.

“Traffic in the office has been an international mix, with people from Hong Kong, Texas, Vancouver, and the UK,” she said.

“Tofino is international in the summer, and these visitors are finding the Shore.”

The owners of the Shore are also currently looking for a tenant for their dockside restaurant. This space is located on the foreshore in front of the building, and construction should be completed by the fall of 2011.

A marina is also under construction, and will be located next to the restaurant. Moorage is available first to residents, then to the public.

It’s not surprising that visitors are naturally drawn to Tofino’s waterfront; it’s a hub of activity, as well as a viewpoint for a glimpse of the beauty of the surrounding rainforests. Watch float planes taking off, wildlife and fishing boats and kayakers passing by.

Main St. is Tofino’s historic hub as well. In fact, the public walkway dedication that the owners of the Shore are providing in front of the building is reminiscent of a wooden boardwalk that once ran the length of the village of Tofino’s waterfront. In those days, the streamer from Victoria was the only contact with the larger world.

Today, as Maria noted, the world comes to Tofino.

Watch this blog for more updates about current sales offerings, as well as special events and promotions. The Main St. sales office for the Shore is open five days a week.

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino commercial real estate, tofino condo, tofino real estate, tofino waterfront
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By Jen Dart

The real estate market in Tofino has been on a major upswing since the early 2000s. Many locals like to point out that when first subdivided a half century ago, lots at Chesterman Beach were moving slowly and priced at around $10,000. Today they sell in the $2 to $3 million range.

While on a smaller scale, the same growth is reflected in the market for the rest of this town of roughly 1,800 people.

Tofino’s real estate market can be compared to high-end ones such West Vancouver and Oak Bay, due to the volume of higher prices properties. This is evidently due to high-priced sales in neighbourhoods such as Chesterman Beach, Jensen’s Bay and Rosie Bay.

Adding to the desirability of this market is the finite number of properties available. Much of the land on the Esowista Peninsula remains undeveloped.

Buyers in this area are often looking for a second home or vacation property. This is the vision the project developers had for the Shore building, and it holds true for many other properties in town.

There are a number of different options available for such a small market. Condominums, homes, commercial properties – and even entire islands – are currently on offer.

The average price of a single-family home in Tofino is around the $600,000 mark, above the British Columbia average of $505,178. Condominiums start at around $300,000. These prices represent a significant increase over prices even 10 years ago, when single-family homes were in the $250,000-300,000 range.

In comparison, the average price in Vancouver for a two—storey single family home in 2010 was 1,007,500. A standard condominium in Vancouver was priced at $484,500 in 2010. Compare those numbers to Victoria, where the single-family dwellings average was $480,000 and condominiums were $285,000.

The Tofino market saw much activity – and spikes in prices – from 2000 until a couple of years ago. While things may have slowed down everywhere, this is one market where sellers have not opted to lower prices to make sales.

The desirability of living in Tofino means that buyers will always pay top dollar for all kinds of properties here.

The proximity to local beaches, the rainforest of Clayoquot Sound, and Pacific Rim National Park all make this a market that has much going for it, whether you are planning to vacation or make your home here.

And although prices have dropped across the country during the global recession over the last two to three years, this is one market that has held steady.

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino condo, tofino property, tofino real estate
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By Jen Dart

The original concept for the Shore building came out of one of the developer’s master’s thesis.

Moss Development’s Thomas Olsen was a student of business administration writing his thesis on the best redevelopment fit for the old BC Packer’s plant on Tofino’s waterfront.

During his study, Olsen discovered that a somewhat surprising concept most complimented the unique site.

“My definition was not recreational real estate,” he said, “it was a second home. I went through all the different research and that was the best segment for the project.”

With this in mind, Olsen wanted to incorporate two-bedroom units into the four-story building. Working with the architects, Eleven Eleven Architecture, the team decided early on the building should be constructed of concrete and steel.

The architects considered another waterfront site in Tofino before settling on the current location. The dramatic views of Meares Island across Tofino harbour from the Shore had them hooked, however.

This view of the ever-changing landscape of Tofino harbour, as well as the dramatic backdrop of the rainforest of Clayoquot Sound, is framed in the floor-to-ceiling windows of each of the 24 condominium units in the Shore building. This transition from urban to the natural world, from the terrestrial to the water, happens as soon as you step into the unit. It’s also a backdrop that can be appreciated from the outdoor decks of each condo.

“When we were doing the launch, we talked about the ‘centre of town, edge of the world,’” Olsen said. “A lot of people couldn’t get in touch with that when it was under construction. But from the street, there is quite a dramatic effect when you walk in the doorway and it’s just framed nature.”

There are two floors of two-story units, and two floors with single-story units in the Shore. Seven commercial units front Main St., and there will be a restaurant and commercial space on the currently under construction dock.

Once finished, the dock and marina will feature boat slips (residents have first right of refusal for moorage), a public pick up and drop off area, a storage area for and exercise studio for residents, as well as a waterfront promenade. The promenade is part of a dedication to the District of Tofino, as is an area for a commissioned art piece. It’s the district’s plan to eventually have a walkway all along the harbour.

“We’re the first developers to have provided “a section of that,” Olsen said of the promenade.

The building also has underground secured parking for residents, though you won’t need your car much to get to any of the restaurant or shops in Tofino – they’re all within walking distance of the property.

Currently, only three penthouses and three harbour-view units remain unsold. For more information on the floor plans and the design features of the units themselves, please visit the residential section of the Shore Tofino website.

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino condo, tofino real estate
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