Exclusive: “High-Rise Robertson” buys West End penthouse

Mayor's new condo overlooks park and beach

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Alexander Park (Mackin)

That is a photograph of the Haywood Bandstand at Alexander Park, overlooking English Bay, in Vancouver’s West End.

Built in 1914 and restored in 1988, could this pleasant structure become the new, outdoor rehearsal space for a certain tuba-playing Mayor of Vancouver?

That is, if the neighbours of Gregor Robertson’s recently acquired penthouse suite object to the sound of the big brass instrument.

According to the Land Titles and Survey Authority, “Gregor Angus Robertson, Mayor” is the owner of a 1,764 square foot suite, with a declared $1.68 million value, in a 1976-built tower kitty corner from Alexander Park, a block south of Davie Street.

The mortgage was registered by Robertson on Aug. 27 with Vancity for a condo that was assessed at $1.397 million, but listed for $1.788 million. UPDATE (Jan. 4): The B.C. Assessment Authority’s rolls through July 1, 2015 show the penthouse is now worth $1.677 million.

This is how real estate agent Emmie Tong described the penthouse on her website (which included the two photos):

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“Gorgeous S-facing PENTHOUSE at prestigious Alexander Park, with 300 degree 433864c95f86bf949af179ee112e31d7English Bay, Kits Beach & City View. Modern split entry welcomes you to 18 foot ceiling. Great room with cozy gas fireplace. Main floor boasts updated kitchen, spacious dining, full size guest bedroom w/full bath. Upstairs has a large master bedroom & luxury ensuite, office w/3 sides wrap-around bay window overlooking the sea. Classic hardwood floor, new blinds, new pantry, loads of custom-made cabinets & furniture, heated kitchen & bath floors, heated towel-rack, and 800 square foot rooftop garden! Guaranteed no neighbours! Three units per floor separated by fire escape. New roof 2010, fully rainscreened 2013. Two large side-by-side parkings, 1 locker and common bike room. West Coast Life Style!”

Real estate is an obsession for many in Vancouver and the mayor’s move from 912 West 23rd Ave., near Douglas Park, raised eyebrows in 2013. Why? Because he bought, with then-wife Amy, a $1.575 million duplex at 1645 Stephens St. — just a hop, skip and a jump from the then-proposed Point Grey Road bike lane. Robertson abstained from the public hearings and vote, but his Vision Vancouver caucus rubber-stamped the project, including the controversial closure of Point Grey Road’s so-called “golden mile.”

The Robertsons’ marriage broke down in mid-2014, but the mayor continued to list the Stephens house as his address on his nomination papers for the civic election. His registration withstood a legal challenge, but he never did confirm or deny that he was living in a condo at Patina on Barclay Street, behind the YMCA. While Robertson kept his precise whereabouts a mystery to voters, Vision Vancouver advertising criticized NPA challenger Kirk LaPointe for living at the University of B.C. campus.

After the election, Robertson’s relationship with singer Wanting Qu, an Olympic Village resident, came to light. Her name, however, does not appear on the property registration for the Alexander Park penthouse.

The house on Stephens sold for $1.98 million earlier this year, $400,000 more than what the Robertsons paid in 2013.


6 thoughts on “Exclusive: “High-Rise Robertson” buys West End penthouse

  1. Bill

    Does VanCity do all the left-wing politicos?
    Their board is filled with them, but the regular staff do the lending work, without influence?

    Reply
    1. bobmackin Post author

      Chair Jan O’Brien is Mrs. Geoff Meggs, Theodora Lamb is a Hollyhocker, and Bob Williams is the former eminence grise of the B.C. NDP. CEO Tamara Vrooman was a former deputy minister in the Gordon Campbell BC Liberal administration, now an advisor to Vision Vancouver and patronage appointee to the Vancouver International Airport Authority board.

      Reply
    1. bobmackin Post author

      I apologize profusely, but I hope you take solace in the remaining 55 minutes regained since last weekend’s “fall back” return of standard time.
      –Bob

      Reply
  2. e.a.f.

    It may not exactly be “news”, but given the amount of ink regarding where Robertson’s opposition was living, its good to know where he Mayor is living. If he had been living in Richmond, that might have cost him some votes. Might have given him a crack at running for Mayor of Richmond, but that just doesn’t have the same, “cache” shall we say.

    So no, its nice to know where your local politicians live and who they might be financially beholden to. the vancity credit union, is a credit union and yes it has a lot of lefties, but better that than a large eastern bank.

    Reply
    1. Niko

      Actually (and we’re drifting off topic here) I have perfectly reasonable experiences with all sorts of “large eastern banks” and nothing but BS from VanCity.

      Reply

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