Condos/Apartments
December 5, 2023
Alda Pereira Designs A Modern, Minimalist Penthouse In Vancouver’s West End
Vancouver’s West End is a location that’s coveted for a reason. Wedged between English Bay, downtown and Stanley Park, it’s where the city meets the ocean. “This is a truly walkable area, steps to the seawall and Sunset Beach Park. It’s why you choose to live in Vancouver,” says one lucky resident of Marcon’s newly built Mirabel condominium complex. Mirabel’s two glass towers are a rare addition to the mostly high-rise-free neighborhood, with their panes of yellow and aqua glass nodding to the water and the sunset. Perched at the top of one tower and spanning half of the building’s width is a spectacular penthouse suite. Marcon tapped designer Alda Pereira to upgrade and furnish the space. She’d been working with the developer since 2016, first designing Mirabel’s suite interiors, lobbies and common areas, followed by the sales centre model suite. The penthouse would be her pièce de résistance.
The developer requested interiors that might suit a professional couple who travel and have a taste for sophisticated finishes. Alda immediately got to work on the design. Today, the 2,747-square-foot, three-bedroom, four-bath condo has a minimalist vibe, with elegant furniture in a neutral palette. High-style details throughout make it even more special. “We added custom millwork to the dining area and a principal closet for more functionality,” says Alda. In the ensuite, 12- by 24-inch honed marble tile completely wraps the room. Creating this breezy lifestyle, however, came with its challenges. The six-month-long project coincided with Covid shutdowns, which caused major delays. “Designers are experts in creating schedules, but so much was out of our control,” says Alda. “We had to deal with a bit of chaos that ensued.” This included longer lead times and problems with deliveries. “Even small things were challenging.”
Life at Mirabel, as described by a current owner, looks a bit like this: Morning coffee on the balcony, a stroll to Stanley Park for an early pitch and putt, a snack on Denman as you head to work on foot, then a wander through the leafy streets on your way home to catch the sunset. Where do we sign up?
What Makes This Building Great:
The View: “In the summer, the ocean, sky and mountains are all blue, and you get this spectacular vista that’s rare to find in Vancouver — it feels
precious,” says Alda.
The Location: “The West End is one of Vancouver’s oldest residential neighbourhoods, so Mirabel is amidst established homes, trees and low-rise brick buildings,” says Jesse Laver, Mirabel’s sales lead.
The Rooftop: “The penthouse rooftop has areas you can set up for entertaining,” says Alda. “You can host an incredible party up there.”
The Extras: “A private garage with room for two cars, a motor bike or two, and an attached private storage room are all perks of the penthouse,” says Jesse.
The condo layout was designed to maximize views. In the morning, the deck off the family room is perfect for breakfast as the sun rises. “It’s a great room to enjoy in the morning as the city wakes up,” says Alda.
A wall of custom millwork in the family room has storage, a place for the TV and shelves for displaying objets.
The sleek kitchen has Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances.
The custom dining table is made of solid wood and has an organic shape.
Later in the evening, the living room is the place to be to catch the sunset. “You have this incredible vista of the water, mountains and sunset from the living room,” says Alda. “It all feels very organic and intentional.”
Custom millwork continues from the principal bedroom to the dressing area. “The space has a very customized feel that you rarely get with a newly built condo,” says Alda.
The ensuite walls and floors are wrapped in a large-scale marble tile.
The subdued palette is restful in the guest bedroom.
A glass staircase in the entry leads to the rooftop terrace, allowing light to filter in. Along with its two balconies, the penthouse offers an indoor-outdoor lifestyle that’s incredibly appealing. “The balcony off the living room is perfect for drinks with a view of the ocean,” says Alda. “It’s pretty fabulous.”
Ema Peter
House & Home
Alda Pereira