property watch: life aboard a floating dream home surrounded by 'living art'
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“if you’re lucky enough to live by the water, you’re lucky enough,” as the saying goes. but some would say you’re even luckier if you live on the water, literally, as in a float home.
“every time you look out the window there’s something to see, whether it’s an eagle soaring, a fish jumping, ducks and their ducklings gliding by, the swans that come every year, or simply the mountains,” says marilyn yeo, listing agent for the two-bedroom, three-bathroom float home along the fraser river in ladner. “some float homes have narrow windows based on the structure. but these owners wanted really large windows, so there are unobstructed views all the way from one side of the house to the other. it’s like you’re looking out at living art.”
and if you like to fish, you can simply step out onto your deck and cast a line for salmon, trout, even sturgeon, depending on the season. or walk 20 steps and hop aboard your boat, tied to your private 60-foot dock, and motor to a secluded island for the day, over to steveston village for lunch, or farther out into open waters. or just enjoy the view from your spacious deck or multitude of windows, including a huge picture window in the kitchen.
a walkway ramp that rises and lowers depending on the flow of the river leads to the two-storey, 2,191-square foot float home that was custom-built in 2016 by pinnacle homes. it also features 700 square feet of composite decking on the top floor, which the owners designed as a party patio.
kitchen appliances, including a wall steam oven, 70-bottle wine refrigerator, and a six-burner gas cooktop, are by thermador.
supplied by engel & vÖlkers oce
the primary bedroom’s en suite features a large floating vanity, roomy shower with rainfall shower head and built-in bench.
supplied by engel & vÖlkers oce
what floats your boat home
according to the floating home association of bc, there are more than 800 float homes in the province, moored in marinas, along rivers and lakeshores in southern vancouver island, granville island, coal harbour, richmond, new westminster, maple ridge, and ladner.
this one on river road, built 16 km upriver at a marine build yard in delta, presented a challenge for floating home engineer matt tobias because he’d never built one with so much glass, requiring extra care not only while assembling but while towing. the structure has 40 glass panels and railings, as well as 30 windows, including the large picture window in the kitchen, all comprising two tons of custom-made glass.
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float homes are built differently than a conventional home, since they rest on water rather than land. as told by the crew during video documentation of the project, they first assembled the floating foundation, a level base made of blocks of polystyrene foam, which are light and float on water like a cork. they then cut trenches into the blocks to accommodate water pipes and utilities, wrap steel bars over the top for structural strength, and finally encase the whole base in 112 tons of waterproof concrete to form the unsinkable platform. more concrete on the lower floor covers 2,000 feet of water pipes, which are the main heat source during the winter.
a full wet bar with sink, refrigerator and bar seating for six.
supplied by engel & vÖlkers oce
a hot tub next to the outdoor kitchen and lounge area.
supplied by engel & vÖlkers oce
the 1,700-square foot foundation holds 60 tons of wood and glass above the water line. once the wooden frame is complete, workers wrap it in a six-inch layer of insulation, then seal it with panels of concrete composite, which they say is more durable than wood or bricks, to protect the house from the elements.
when it came time to launch the 190-ton home, the team said it was “nerve-racking” because of all that glass. they eased it less than an inch per minute down the ramp into the water. they then had it towed to ladner, moving slowly through waves and around boat traffic, where they carefully turned it around and backed it into its tight mooring.
most float home walls are built right to the edge of the floating foundation to maximize space inside, but these walls were set three feet inside the edge to allow for a lower-floor wraparound walkway for access to all four sides of the property. the walkway features plenty of cleats for friends to tie up their boats and come aboard for a barbecue. the outdoor kitchen has a grill with wood-fired pizza oven, built-in sink, and lots of counter and lounge space, as well as a hot tub.
a three-car garage behind the home includes refrigeration, a gas fireplace, built-in storage for tools, life-jackets, rope, etc., as well as ceiling racks for fishing rods. there’s also a boat lift to hoist your vessel out of the water for repair or storage.
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what’s inside
reflecting all that nature outside, the visionaries at dabrowski design incorporated natural elements and materials inside. wide-plank oiled walnut wood flooring extends to feature walls. cabinets are by delta-based hi-design custom cabinetry ltd. with richelieu hardware. floor-to-ceiling white pantry space allows for plenty of storage. white walls, ceilings, countertops and island boost the brightness streaming through the windows.
lighting fixtures are via vogue lighting, while the powder room features a graciano suspension bubble chandelier. bathroom floor and wall tiles are custom made by cera stone ltd.
the primary bedroom’s en suite features a large floating vanity, roomy shower with rainfall shower head and built-in bench. there’s also a walk-in closet with plenty of storage. the powder room off the entranceway has a unique mosaic backsplash tile.
wide-plank oiled walnut wood flooring throughout.
supplied by engel & vÖlkers oce
a three-car garage behind the home includes refrigeration, a gas fireplace, built-in storage for tools, life-jackets, rope, etc., as well as ceiling racks for fishing rods.
supplied by engel & vÖlkers oce
kitchen appliances, including a wall steam oven, 70-bottle wine refrigerator, and a six-burner gas cooktop, are by thermador.
custom-designed mantel frames adorn two horizontal form gas fireplaces that cosy up the space.
an enclosed laundry room houses a full-sized washer and dryer just off the primary suite, which also features an oiled walnut panel wall to tie into the flooring.
upstairs, the entertainment space has expansive windows to take in the views, a wall wired for a large-sized tv, and a full wet bar with sink, refrigerator, and bar seating for six — perfect for inside-outside entertaining, thanks to folding windows. double doors lead to a covered and heated outdoor space for use year-round. this deck faces west, ideal for taking in stunning sunsets.
another lounge area sits next to a second bedroom and third bathroom with floating vanity and full bathtub.
integrated contol4 smart technology connects lighting, entertainment apps, and security systems controlled from your smartphone.
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utilities and maintenance fees are similar to a residential home, with typical services including electricity, water, and routine upkeep of the float structure, dock, and related systems. the property encompasses two lots, the second at 4389 w. river road, that could be used to build another float home.
as for misconceptions that float homes rock ‘n’ roll in high winds or strong wake, yeo says modern float homes are engineered for stability and do not noticeably rock in normal conditions. “i’ve been (at the home) in all weather conditions — rainy, windy — and it’s really solid. i haven’t even noticed that the tide has gone up or down; you only notice it when the water line against the grass has gone up. i’m sure if it’s really windy and choppy you might feel it a bit. but there are weights on each corner and, because of the design, being more flat and spread out, you’re not going to (feel it) the same as if you were in a three-storey high, more narrow float home.”
in the neighbourhood
this is not a neighbourhood with services a walk away, but schools, shops, grocery stores and restaurants are minutes away by car or bike. there are also plenty of parks for recreation, and, of course, the river for boating, sailing, fishing or simply gazing at the living art floating by.
“it’s a really special, friendly community” of like-minded residents, says yeo. “the current owners poured their hearts into this home. it’s been taken care of meticulously. they hope buyers will love it as much as they have and appreciate the beauty and nature that surrounds the home.”
location:
listed for: $3,650,000
year built: 2016
type: two bedrooms, three bathrooms
size: 2,191 sq ft
realtor: listed by marilyn yeo real estate, engel & völkers ocean park
want more expert mortgage info? robert mclister shares canada’s best national insured and uninsured mortgage rates, updated daily.
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