( Perspectives Lobby Gate)                         (Century Gate)

We walk into Mike Macca’s studio on East 6^th and find him hunched over a piece of metal with a blow torch in his hand. He is working so contentedly that he almost doesn’t notice us watching him in awe. He takes off his mask and tells us he’s just putting the finishing touches on this piece of art that is actually a garage door. As we make our way upstairs to the studio I can’t help but notice the hundreds of metal pieces hanging from the ceiling and walls of the workshop. I have so many questions for this talented artist who through old world craftsmanship has an innate ability to inject practicality and functionality into every piece.

Take one look at Mike Macca, or his work and you’d never guess that he was kicked out of art school, or spent a year and a half in jail for being a political dissident during Russia’s occupation of his homeland. Born in Czechoslovakia to a blacksmith father, Mike was introduced to working with metal at an early age. So it would make sense that it would be his first and favourite medium. Having no formal art training, Mike says he learned from others, in seeing things that interested him and trying to do it in a different or better way. In search of a better life for his family, he decided to move them to Canada in 1986. After six months in Austria, waiting for his paperwork to go through, he arrived in Canada with his wife and two year old daughter Jana. Fast forward 26 years and Mike Maca is a very successful Vancouver artist, producing quality wares for individuals, designers and architects alike.

     

    

We are now upstairs in his studio and we are blown away by his collection which includes sculptures and various works with metal and paint. As we walk around chatting, he points out his favourite piece, a set of clay sculptures that are a work in progress. When asked how he knows that a piece is finished, he shyly says “when it feels right”.

Another piece that I notice with interest is hanging from the ceiling above me. He tells me it is his family portrait!

We finish our tour back in the workshop and Mike shows us some of the pieces he is currently working on.  

 A fireplace……

A garden screen …….

…the garage door.

Mike Macca is a man of few words, full of passion that is abundantly evident in his work.  We are so thrilled with the pieces that he has created for us and we are already brainstorming ideas for our next community. We can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!  

… Bee Kim Heng Jerky, located at 4194 Fraser Street! (Just steps from Century)

Brothers Raymond and Scott Lim brought their father’s beef jerky store to CBC TV’s Dragons’ Den on Tuesday

As reported by The Vancouver Sun, Papa Lim went all the way to Singapore 25 years ago to learn how to make the famous Singaporean treat. His original Bee Kim Heng Jerky store in Vancouver’s Chinatown flourished until a devastating fire meant he had to start over in a new location. Things have never been the same.

Raymond and Scott appeared on the show with their pitch and the Dragon’s Den investors are going to help them out!

Congratulations to BKH Jerky!! We’re proud of you and happy to be in your neighbourhood!!

 

Ledingham McAllister has been celebrating the history of Fraser Street since we first introduced Century to the Mountain View Neighbourhood of Vancouver. The residents of this neighbourhood celebrated their long history with their annual block party on September 10, 2011. Our Marketing Coordinator Lauren Kwan was there along with an ice-cream truck giving away frozen treats to all the great neighbours! A great time was had by all and we wish to thank everyone who contributed in making this event a huge success! Please click the link below for more details and photos of this event on the Mountain View Neighbourhood blog.  

http://www.mountain-view.ca/2011/09/thanks-to-all-who-helped-make.html

We understand that many factors contribute to your decision when purchasing a home. It could be the reputation of the builder, location or price. We are confident that the homes at Century meet all of those requirements and more – a builder with over 100 years experience and an exciting community conveniently located just steps from shopping, transit, parks, and great schools. And now, purchasing a home at Century is even easier with the cost savings applied to our two bedroom west facing courtyard homes:

What is on YOUR checklist?

• You can have a dining room with seating for up to six people
• You can also have a breakfast bar for more casual dining
• You can have a spacious master bedroom with a walk-in closet
• You can enjoy outdoor living on your own patio with a lovely west facing view of the Courtyard

Century’s Phase 2 launch offers a selection of one to two bedroom plus den homes with great new floorplans. Even better, you can choose from stunning city view homes or convenient street-access city homes – both offering peaceful courtyard gardens just steps away. Fraser Street is revitalized with the arrival of Century and easy access to everything imaginable, not to mention Starbucks Coffee, Nofrills market and Shoppers Drug Mart just outside your door!

Century brings a new vitality to the area that’s dynamic in culture and rich in history. Get in now, and you can own in one of Vancouver’s original neighbourhoods. Homes available from $299,900. View homes from $400,900.

With over 100 years of history, Ledingham McAllister is the second largest builder of woodframe condominiums in BC. The quality, integrity, and performance is always consistent and never sacrificed.

Every floor showcases spectacular views. From cityscapes to the sloping peaks of the North Shore Mountains– you can indulge your sights on a picture-perfect landscape everyday.

Come and see for yourself.

Read more Century Updates

Join students, teachers and families this Saturday from 11am until 3pm at 4750 St. Catherines Street, for live entertainment, games and even a silent auction!

Read more Century Updates

Our potential buyers and sales centre visitors were very excited at the prospect of winning the scooter, naturally. It will be an ideal way to cruise around the neighbourhood, and get to know this emerging, fascinating part of town.

Now that our Grand Opening weekend has concluded, we are happy to announce our lucky Vespa winner.

Not only are James Sutton and Holly Dorie the lucky winners of our draw, they are also purchasers of a new home here at Century. They are both so excited to be moving into a Ledingham McAllister community, having heard good things about us from friends who purchased our homes in Richmond and Burnaby. Better yet, they are the lucky winners of a brand new LX50 Vespa and helmet package!

Century is their first Vancouver home, and they feel really good about the decision. A community from a reputable builder, at a price point that works for them, with new retail amenities like Nofrills market, Starbucks and Shoppers Drug Mart right below them, everything feels perfect. Of course, the classic, contemporary style at Century was a huge factor, too.

We hope that they have a great time, both cruising around on their new Vespa, and coming home to Century.

Century’s first phase is already 50% sold out! There are still many great new homes remaining. If we have not had a chance to welcome you to Our Sales Centre, come by soon. We would love to have you!