Despite the controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s comments during his presidential campaign, one bedroom units at Vancouver’s Trump Tower are now hitting the market at almost twice their original purchase price.
The 63 storey building is one of the tallest buildings on Vancouver’s skyline and was designed by architect Arthur Erickson. It features 290 residential units atop 187 hotel rooms.
When the building was first marketed in 2013, the developer, Holborn, likely never anticipated the negative publicity that would come to be associated with the Trump name.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson even tried to get the Trump name removed from the building, writing a letter to the developer in 2015.
Despite the controversy around Donald Trump’s name, and the uncertain Vancouver real estate market — with the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver predicting price declines in 2017 — there are several one bedroom units listed in the building for over one million dollars.
That hasn’t stopped one seller from attempting to get $1,398,000 for their one bedroom, 699 square foot unit, nearly double what it was originally purchased for. Listing here.
That’s almost $2,000 per square foot for a unit that looks directly into an adjacent office building.
According to BC Assessment, the unit originally sold for $749,900 in December 2015. It was recently assessed at $1,007,000 (July 2016).
On a 25 year mortgage with the required 20 per cent downpayment, mortgage payments would be $5,068 per month, at a very attractive interest rate of 2.59%. That doesn’t include the monthly strata fee of $464.37, for a total of $5,532.37 per month.
If you’re looking to save some money, a similar unit of the same size is up for rent for $2,750 on Craigslist.
The listing for the $1.398 million one bedroom reads: “Luxury meets functionality. Spacious one bedroom at Trump Tower Vancouver built for an executive live/work lifestyle. Grandiose interior featuring top of the line Arclinea chef’s kitchen, Gessi fixtures, Gaggenau kitchen appliances, AEG range hood, and BOSCH washer/dryer. Enjoy exclusive access to hotel services and amenities without stepping out the lobby. While the around the clock concierge service take care of all your needs. Walk out and you will be in the heart of vibrant downtown surrounded by high-end retail shops and the best restaurants Vancouver has to offer. Or better yet, in the blink of an eye you will be in the slopes enjoying a well-earned staycation. Live the extravagant life without the hassles. Open House every Thurs 5-7:30 pm, Sat Dec 10th 2-4 pm.”
Since this post was originally published last week, another one bedroom over $1 million has gone up for sale in the Trump Tower. #6301 is a one bedroom, two bathroom unit, measuring 847 square feet and is listed for $1,990,000. The units were originally sold as junior two bedroom units but are in reality, large one bedroom and den apartments.
The view is definitely nicer than the first one bedroom unit, and there is an extra bathroom, but you are still looking directly into the Shangri-La at one angle.
Take a look inside a 1,600 square feet, four bedroom unit on the 52nd floor, currently listed at $4.2 million:
The views are pretty incredible, from English Bay, to the Lions Gate Bridge and Coal Harbour.
Last updated March 11, 2017
This article is factually incorrect and biased. The one bedroom units were not sold sold between 619-749k but rather those were the starting prices. All units that initially presold in the 6xx range did not come with parking and those with parking started in the 7xx range. The one bedrooms presold between 619-934k ranging from the 23-37th floors.
The 01 unit stated in the article was marketed as a jr 2 bedroom unit but in actuality is a 1 bed+den+flex unit. These presold from 948k-1.74m between the 38-67th floor. These units actually face Coal Harbour if you look at an angle and offer more than a 180 degree view because of the curved building shape curtain wall.
All 05 units from the 59-67th floors presold from 5.8-6.5m, each unit around 2100 sq ft; that is $2750-3210/psf. You can probably expect a much $/sf when these units come to the market as a resale unit.
Regarding ceiling heights, they were 8’7″ from floors 23-36 and 38-57, 9′ from floors 59-66, 9’6″ on 37 and 58, and 10′ on 67. Penthouse ceiling heights are 10’6″ and 8’7″ for the lower and upper floors respectively.
That is all good information. Clearly you have insider knowledge of the building and it would be great if you identified your source. It’s my understanding, one bedroom units started in the low-600s. See here: https://presalesvancouver.ca/trump-tower.html under “Pricing.” I also recall this personally as I was registered in the presale phase.
Regardless – the flip prices for these units are outrageous.
Peter, the pricing was increased various of times throughout the presale process. The 01 unit you identified for the 6301 unit was marketed as a jr 2 bedroom. They were initially priced from the high 900s to 1.22m. They were later increased to 1.68m to 1.734m. The unit quoted was sold at 1.7m.
Pricing throughout the building was dramatically increased. For example, a 03 elite collection unit (floors 59-67) sold at 3.7m in the initial launch and similar units later presold at 6.2m. 05 elite collection units presold at up to 6.5m.
Also, no I do not have insider information nor do I work in the industry. I am a student who simply had an interest in this project and contacted their sales department when units were still for sale. I also looked into the transaction prices on BC assessment – both of which could be publicly accessed.
Also, all 01, 03, 06, and 08 units from floors 23-37 are your typical 600-700 sq ft one bedroom units; these have a window exposure on the ‘narrow’ side of the stacked living/dining room config. These one bedroom units only have a 3 piece bathroom (only shower stall). You can search 1151 georgia on the bc assessment to see the transacted presale price. GST is extra on top of that price.
01 units from floors 38-67 are one bedrooms + den + flex and were marketed by the developer as a jr two bedroom. These come with a 5 piece ensuite (with a freestanding ‘wet room’ concept (similar to that in the showroom) as well as an additional 3 piece guest bathroom with a shower and a freestanding wash basin.
Units with powder rooms (true two bedroom units) only have stone on the floor and beneath the mirror whilst all full baths have full stone on all walls and floors
Thanks for the info on parking – I’ve added it to the post.
While changes were made, most 01 units in the executive collection (floors 23-37) were sold at over 749k: 2501 at 766k, 2601 at 848k, 2701 at 850k, 2801 at 897k, 2901 at 789k, 3201 at 909k, 3701 at 932k (but 3701 has higher ceilings) and others as they have yet to be published by BC assessment.
I’m curious what the ceiling heights are. International luxury standard are typically 10’+, except in London, UK. I’m guessing 9’3″ at Trump Vancouver, if not 9′.
Here are 9 listings at Trump Vancouver, one is approaching $3k/sf: https://www.locatehomes.ca/bc-real-estate-listings/search?q=1151+georgia
They are actually lower than normal, at 8’7″. According to this article: https://thethorntongroup.ca/blog.html/trump-tower-vancouver-to-be-citys-second-tallest-skyscraper-2372229 it allowed the developer to add eight additional floors.
Wow, you can get into some mid-market buildings like Savoy (928 Richards) with 9′ ceilings. I don’t think buyers at Trump Vancouver got value for their purchase dollars. Not to mention the building’s name is tarnished for the majority of Canadians.
It’l be interesting if Trump Toronto loses its name with the bankruptcy. We could really use a Waldorf Astoria or Mandarin Oriental in this city.
Not all floors are 8’7″. Only floors 23-36 and 38-57 are 8’7″. 59-66: 9′, 37+58: 9’6″, 67: 10′
Standard ceiling height for Vancouver apartments is 8′. Regarding luxury apartments in downtown vancouver (single level non-duplex units) the ceiling heights vary from 8′-11′.