Bear Mountain Resort in Canada is prepared to offer new condos

VICTORIA, British Columbia -- Bear Mountain Resort, Canada’s premier vacation destination and first and only master planned resort community, is preparing to release its only real estate offering of 2006 with three new condo buildings. Adding to its already extensive real estate portfolio, these new developments are designed for ease of living and offer exclusive Vancouver-Island views and the pinnacle in luxury golf course living.

Bear Mountain Resort provides a complete lifestyle experience, offering a variety of residential and vacation real estate opportunities as well as The Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort & Spa. Situated on 1,300 acres of mountainside property, the community will feature the first and only 36-hole Nicklaus-designed golf offering in Canada when the second course is completed in 2008, medical and traditional aesthetics at the Santé Spa, five world-class restaurants and the state-of-the-art Mountainside Athletic Club, all within minutes of the beautiful seaside harbor of Victoria, British Columbia.

To date, the response to Bear Mountain Resort’s real estate offering has been overwhelming. The project’s first 10 phases of lot sales completely sold out as well as four luxury condominium buildings, townhomes and quarter share offerings, resulting in pre-sales of more than $342.4 million USD ($400 million CAD). In addition, Bear Mountain Resort set the record for real estate sales in one day on Vancouver Island, selling $114.7 million USD ($134 million CAD) of real estate during the selection day for St. Andrews Walk and Finlayson Reach condominiums in November 2005. Bear Mountain is currently taking reservations for all three new condominium properties and the selection event is scheduled to take place in early November.

“If history is any indication, the upcoming selection day is going to be extremely successful,” said Len Barrie, developer of Bear Mountain Resort. “Because these condominium buildings are so unique to Vancouver Island, we expect the demand to outweigh our supply.”

Soaring Peaks, a 23-story tower situated between the 9th and 17th greens of Bear Mountain’s Nicklaus-designed golf course, and The Highlander, a 15-story residence perched along the 18th fairway, break stereotypes of typical golf resort community living, with their distinct ambiance and surprising height, while Stonehaven, the sister building to Highlander, is a charming and intimate building that is perfect for the discriminating purchaser. Square footage for all three buildings ranges from 540 square feet to 1500 square feet with prices ranging from $279,000 (309,900 CDN) to 1.17 million (1.3 million CDN).

“The prospect of living above the clouds, even on an overcast day, is enthralling,” says Steve Carruthers of Zeidler Architects, the firm responsible for designing many of Bear Mountain’s buildings to date and architect for the Highlander building. “These new condos offer something for everyone.”

The Highlander features traditional design with the old-world charm of a Scottish castle. Its 220 units will be complemented by a 100-foot long Grande Hall with a two-story library, in-house theatre, tea room, fitness centre and pool, entertainment room with snooker and games tables, overstuffed leather chairs and two guest suites. The Highlander sits on the 18th fairway and offers views of the 18th green and the Straight of Juan de Fuca. Units range in size from 553 square feet to 1,268 square feet.

“With spanning views of Vancouver Island, it is a setting second to none in the area,” said Fraser McColl, the building’s developer, who is known for several prominent Victoria developments, such as The Reef and Mosaic buildings.

The Highlander will boast a unique chateau style similar to the designs of the famous architect Francis Rattenbury’s Fairmont Empress Hotel located on Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

Located right next door, The Stonehaven is a traditional four-story building that offers an intimate and traditional European setting rife with impeccable views of the 18th fairway of the Mountain course of the Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club. These quaint and private units are perfect for relaxing evenings after a long day of golf and touring nearby Victoria. As the sister building of The Highlander, residents will have unlimited access to all the luxurious amenities offered next door including the grand hall, library, pool and more. Units range in size from 700 square feet to 1,250 square feet.

Soaring Peaks, with its modern aesthetic of concrete and steel, boasts an equally lofty location high above the clouds, offering residents the highest living in Victoria. The 23-story tower offers spectacular views in every direction from either the spacious balconies or sweeping glass windows. Units range in size from 540 square feet to the penthouse’s 4,375 square feet.

“A tower on top of a mountain, in the middle of a golf course is a unique concept,” said Grant Klapstein, President of Cove Properties, the Edmonton-based company responsible for developing Soaring Peaks. “Soaring Peaks effectively combines modern architecture with traditional luxury and service.”

The building’s modern design features arrangements of glass, stone, brick and slate on cascading architectural levels that mimic the natural slope of the mountain. Luxurious amenities include a fully equipped outdoor pool and fitness area with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a resident-only gourmet kitchen, and high-tech entertainment area. Its 201 suites, geared towards sophisticated, active buyers, vary in size and style.

All properties offer full-service concierge services and golf privileges. Registrations are currently being taken for all units through the Bear Mountain Resort sales office at 866.391.6100.

For more information on Bear Mountain Resort and The Highlander, Soaring Peaks and Stonehaven buildings visit www.soaringpeaks.ca, www.stonehaven@bearmountain.ca and www.thehighlander.ca.

About Bear Mountain Resort

The premier destination and first and only master-planned resort community on Vancouver Island, Bear Mountain Resort provides a complete lifestyle experience, offering a variety of residential and vacation real estate opportunities as well as The Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort & Spa. Situated on 1,300 acres of mountainside property, the community features the first and only 36-hole Nicklaus-designed golf offering in Canada, medical and traditional aesthetics at the Santé Spa, five world-class restaurants and the state-of-the-art Mountainside Athletic Club, all within minutes of the beautiful seaside inner harbor of Victoria, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.bearmountain.ca or call 1.888.533.BEAR.

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