Pam Anderson to promote Ladysmith BC development
Defoor’s Fort Ladysmith BC - Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/14621198@N02/1496089825/
Ladysmith’s most famous native is planning to promote a proposed five-acre waterfront development in the town.
Actress Pamela Anderson is collaborating with Geoff Courtnall, ex-Canucks player turned developer, on the high-end residences proposed for the plot of land once owned by Anderson’s grandparents. “It is something that Pamela is going to get very involved in — in the promotion and marketing of the project,” Courtnall told reporters.
While the 72 condos and 11 townhomes are expected to be pretty svelte, don’t expect any over-the-top Hollywood grandeur. “There won’t be any Hollywood glitz. I’d say it’s more West Coast contemporary using natural materials, trying to honour the beautiful landscape we live in,” said architect Lynn Gordon-Findlay of Victoria-based de Hoog & Kierulf Architects.
Ladysmith, population 7,500, is about an hour’s drive north of Victoria and 23 kilometres south of Nanaimo.
First established as a mining town, it’s now considered one of Canada’s prettiest towns with quaint, century-old buildings lining Main Street. Still, it’s only just recently been discovered by property buyers looking for second or third homes, since Nanaimo has traditionally hogged the spotlight.
“Ladysmith is really blessed by being one of the few communities on Vancouver Island that has the topography it does. It’s built on a steep hill facing the water so all the streets and homes basically get water views from so many locations,” said Brian Bancroft, president of the local chamber of commerce.
Bancroft says the chamber is supportive of the project and believes it will likely attract buyers from Vancouver, Victoria, Alberta and the U.S.
And, of course, there’s always the possibility Anderson could be making a pitch to some celebrity pals.
The development proposal was recently submitted to city hall and it’ll likely be another two months before there’s any word if the project can go ahead. There is no rezoning needed, although some residents had reservations about the project’s height. The tallest building is proposed to be eight storeys, with a second at four storeys.
Gordon-Findlay says once it was explained that they chose to go high rather than wide to avoid cutting trees, most people were receptive of the plan.
The apartments range in size from 1,650 to 1,900 square feet, while the townhomes will start at 2,400 sq. ft.
