Vancouver’s I4 Property Group (formerly Tigeri Properties Group) stands behind its moniker: inspired, informed, innovative and invested. These are the pillars of a brand that has been building homes for hundreds of Canadians over the past 15 years.
A cursory scroll through their past projects quickly reveals that I4PG is in the business of creating lasting impressions. The leadership team is spearheaded by President Myron Calof and his daughter, Sales & Marketing Director, Joelle Calof; who work together as a dedicated team to develop distinctively located and urban-infused homes across Western Canada.
HISTORY
Since 2000, I4PG has built a reputation as an industry leader continuously striving to deliver the highest possible design standards in their projects that reflect the needs and desires of their customers. While this Father/Daughter duo occasionally finds itself on opposite sides of a design or construction decision, both are steadfast in their determination to create the best projects they possibly can. Overall, Myron’s 35 years of experience in real estate and Joelle’s 25 years in the fields of design and sales is proving to be the right combination of strength and savvy that the real estate marketplace needs.
“Every I4PG residential project must pass four tests,” states Myron Calof. “First, the location must be close to shopping, services and transportation. Our buyers want to be close to the action. Second, the products and finishes and overall style of the project must meet or exceed the standards of buildings, which claim to be of the highest level in the marketplace at the time. Third, if we pass the first two tests we must be able to deliver accommodation of varying sizes and types at price points which are affordable for a range of buyers; from first time buyers to those downsizing from a larger home. Fourth, we must believe that without a shadow of a doubt our buyers will be proud of their new I4PG home,” he says.
The former senior vice president of two international real estate development organizations, Myron has over 3 decades of experience developing hotels, entertainment parks, movie theatres, sports complexes, office spaces, residential properties and shopping centres including West Edmonton Mall and Mall of America. After forming Tigeri Properties Group in 2000 and acquiring Calgary’s Newport Village Shopping Centre and Glenmore Commerce Court, Leduc Town Centre, and Edmonton’s Empire Building, I4PG’s predecessor developed Phase One of Garibaldi Village Shopping Centre in Squamish. Bringing a much needed retail presence to the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler, this landmark project included Squamish’s first movie theatre and several national tenants.
In 2008 Tigeri Properties Group launched its Studios brand in Nanaimo B.C., which has become the cornerstone of their residential arm and offers high-end finishes in great locations at affordable prices. “When we launched the Studios concept in 2008, we wanted to bring a taste of the ‘big city’s urban lifestyle to this smaller community. Initially we thought the project would attract a younger buyer but people of all ages and stages in life came along. Everyone wanted to experience the best of both worlds…living in the heart of downtown close to shops and restaurants and galleries and just a block away from the serenity of Nanaimo’s renowned harbourfront walkway.”
The Studios brand includes Studio SQ in downtown Squamish, B.C. and the recently developed Edmonton projects Studio Ed in Oliver and Studio Off Whyte in historic Old Strathcona. It also provides the Launchpad for one of the firm’s most recognized niche design concepts- the Studio Hybrid. These unique layouts are usually between 450-600 square feet and include glass wall-enclosed bedrooms, allowing the natural light from the outdoors to brighten the space while adding an element of distinction to the ‘master’ suite.
Other notable residential projects include Bridgeview Heights in Calgary, Renaissance on Shaw in Coquitlam B.C., Galleries at Garibaldi Springs in Squamish, B.C. and 700 Marine Drive in North Vancouver, which marked the company’s rebirth as I 4 Property Group in 2011.
This fall Studio on The Hill will mark the fifth and most ambitious of the series to date, a trifecta in Edmonton’s burgeoning condominium marketplace.
STUDIO ON THE HILL-Location, Location, Location
Situated in a lush residential community between Edmonton’s River Valley and its storied entertainment district, Studio on The Hill is a 45-condominium development in Strathcona, considered one of Edmonton’s most prominent neighbourhoods. Projecting a classic timeless design, exteriors will be crafted from brick and stone in soft earthy tones, accented by unique masonry detailing. The four-storey building will also feature extensive glazing, gated private street level patios and entries and dramatic landscaping.
“We love Strathcona; it’s the embodiment of almost everything we look for in a location,” adds Myron. “It’s next door to Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue which includes a vibrant theatre scene, a year-round farmer’s market, and the annual Edmonton International Fringe Festival. It’s also home to the University of Alberta, miles of year round accessible outdoor trails along the river valley, and offers quick and easy access to the entire city including downtown via nearby arterial roads, transit & the LRT.”
UPGRADES ARE THE NEW STANDARD
Priced from $224,000 with suites up to 900 square feet, Studio on the Hill will feature open and airy one, one and den, and two bedroom layouts. Each home will feature nine-foot ceilings, quartz stone countertops, in-suite laundry, generous storage, and flooring combinations of distressed hardwood laminate, porcelain tile and broadloom carpet. Bathrooms are punctuated with 18” by 18” marbled stone tiling and kitchens feel spacious and grand with 42” upper cabinets and floor to ceiling pantries.
According to Joelle, the design team was determined to create something that would truly set the building apart from others. “We approached the design process with the mindset that “Upgrades should be the New Standard”- and chose very elegant and quality-driven materials for our interior finishes. If it looked and felt like something you would see in a fabulous hotel, we wanted it for this building. More than anything, we want buyers to feel excited about sharing their spaces with family and friends.”
Inside, the design scheme matches or exceeds anything offered in the City according to Myron, even in so-called ‘high-end’ buildings. “These homes feature windows in the kitchens and bathrooms, which is rare in condo buildings. We know how important the kitchen is to our buyers and in this building we designed a chef’s triangle layout in almost every suite, which creates an efficient cooking space, and then added oversized natural stone peninsula countertops where guests can linger and socialize. When you add our “Healthy Home, Healthy Environment” features and options like Control 4 “Smart-Home,” Studio on The Hill is a stand-out proposition in this location.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As I4PG looks ahead, the company’s mandate is clear: provide buyers and investors with desirable locations, design innovation, superior quality, and long-term value. At the precipice of its next incarnation, I4 is now setting the stage for the next generation of the Studios brand; micro-studios in North Vancouver, Burnaby Heights, and The Quarter’s District in Edmonton. Myron says, “We have always sought to develop modern and efficient spaces for a generation of buyers who value location and convenience over size. We’re very excited to bring this concept to our buyers in cities like Vancouver and Edmonton who are looking for affordable housing options in the downtown core. Many of our buyers come to us seeking investment properties and this niche market concept is the perfect entry point into that side of real estate.”