in a quiet tree- lined residential area, Quattro 1 is just far enough from the Skytrain rapid transportation system and main commuter routes to avoid any noise or disruption, yet close enough to connect residents to anywhere they need to be within minutes and no more than a 45- minute commute to downtown Vancouver. It seems buyers have recognized the potential for the area and want to be part of an up-and- coming community. As a general policy, Tien Sher builds homes that blend in with their surroundings. The two most recently completed developments have both been reminiscent of the 1800s, and both were snapped up quickly. In the case of Quattro 1, exterior architecture is said to be reminiscent of reclaimed Vancouver neighborhoods much like Yaletown, where old and industrial has transformed into chic and cool, but in this case hip comes without the inflated price tags. Richmond- based Patrick Cotter Architect Inc. was selected as lead designer for Quattro based on a flair for design but also an innate sense of what the neighborhood represents at the moment and what the community will become in the future. While conscious of keeping costs and therefore selling prices down, each unit at Quattro has the essentials of luxury living, such as granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. With interesting floor plans from affordable one- or two- bedroom suites, or stepped up to unique two- level lofts, Quattro is designed to enable homebuyers to get on the property ladder in an affordable way but without sacrificing style or convenience. Quattro is to be constructed in four phases, and the first 400 units are already complete. Phase 2, a 4.5- acre area west of Phase 1 and adjacent to King George Highway, will introduce high- rise condos and commercial units to the mix. development charge costs ( DCCs) of between 50 and 60 percent on multi- family properties in the city center area of North Surrey. DCCs are charges to developers to pay for water, sewer, drainage and roads for new subdivisions, so reductions in charges to this extent are an attractive incentive. To give some indication of how successful this initiative has been, in the seven years prior to 2003 there were only 294 units built in the area. Between 2003 and 2007, permits for 2,419 units were issued. The extent of the DCC discount is no longer quite so generous, but development continues apace. Anxious to make its mark on Surrey's development is Tien Sher Properties. Charan Sethi, president and CEO of the Tien Sher group of companies, has been involved with real estate for over 20 years and has an extensive background in developing, financing and investing in property. Most of the projects carried out in the past have been smaller- scale infill developments but they nevertheless constitute an impressive portfolio throughout Richmond, New Westminster and Surrey. The Quattro project, on the other hand, is Tien Sher's first large- scale project and is seen as a flagship development, designed to cement the company's place within BC property development while helping with the ongoing process of revitalizing Surrey. Not only is Quattro the biggest project ever to be undertaken by Tien Sher, it is also the single largest project in Surrey, contributing, when complete, 1,110 new homes spanning 10 acres of landscaped interconnecting lawns and courtyards. It also represents some of the most affordable housing in the Lower Mainland, with prices starting at $ 119,900. The first phase of the $ 600 million Quattro project is already complete and sold out. A collection of 400 condominium apartments in four low- rise buildings Tien Sher Properties JANUARY 10 www. bus- ex. com 105 Aluma- Glass Ltd is a glazing subcontractor, specializing in commercial installations, high performance and custom design glazing. Aluma- Glass Ltd would like to extend our congratulations to Charan Sethi and the Tien Sher Group for the completion of the Quattro project. Each opportunity we have to work together with Tien Sher is always a pleasure. Aluma- Glass Ltd Evelecus estium seditio nsectae sinvenisqui dereiuribus mo magnam, commolu ptaspe necabor arum acepro beatquae aut repudigendit aliquo eris aut ut et labores imusapist ad eatio que pa dis doluptat quas secatur, quam, optatibus eat. Sunt fuga. Nequam, sumque volupta dem evererum eium faccuptas mi, quasi occus idis RBI

106 www. bus- ex. com JANUARY 10 chic Art and design