The Charleston is another step closer to becoming a reality.
An application to rezone property at 20299 Industrial Avenue, to make way for what will be by far the tallest building in Langley at 15 storeys, danced through third reading at Langley City council on Monday night.
Construction on Charleston Place, a 1920s, art deco style highrise, is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2013 at the corner of Industrial Avenue and 203 Street, on the site of what is now China Beach nightclub.
Earlier in the evening, the development was the subject of a public hearing, during which architect Stephen Ho presented plans for the mixed commercial-residential structure, including an updated vision for the building’s exterior.
Changes to the original design include a prominent medallion on the structure’s face, bearing the name of the building, more and larger windows and “Romeo and Juliet”-style balconies.
Ho’s presentation also included a number of artist’s conception drawings, depicting opulent interior views which featured high ceilings, intricate mouldings and ornate lighting fixtures.
“It will be a timeless and iconic building in the City of Langley,” he promised.
Councillor Dave Hall and Mayor Peter Fassbender heaped praise on the developers for their “vision and attention to detail,” describing the building as “a real jewel.”
“I still want to drive the bulldozer to knock down (China Beach),” Fassbender quipped after Ho had completed his presentation.
“One of the things I hear is ‘Isn’t this a bit aggressive for a City the size of Langley?,” said the mayor.
“It is,” he added with a smile.
But that is the point, he added.
“It will not only be an icon, but a trend. It will set a track, and a positive one for us.”
Once complete, the building will include 29 residential units (down 17 units from the 46 listed in the plans first revealed last April), above more than 71,000 square feet of commercial floor space.
The reason for the reduction in the number of units is that the smallest units, originally 800 or 900 square feet, have been expanded to about 1,500 square feet.
“Our clientele will be different, it’s a luxury market,” explained Ho, about the decision to provide fewer larger units.
“And it sets us apart from our competitors.”
Originally, the developers hoped to begin pre-sales this month. However rezoning for the project must still pass final reading before a development permit can be issued. Ho expects that all the pieces will be place for sales to begin sometime in October.
Nobody from the public came to speak to council about the development at the public hearing, nor were there any written submissions.