The Cape on Bowen: A master-planned community with views of the Gulf Islands
By Michelle Hopkins July 8, 2019
After a few months of anticipation, Jeremy and Caroline Clark have broken ground on their future home at Cape on Bowen. The young couple, who purchased a 10-acre lot boasting 180-degree ocean views and forest vistas, just steps from the beach, says the process has been seamless.
“The application process was very fast,” says Jeremy Clark. “We were told it can take up to a year to get your building permit, but we received it within two months.”
The West Vancouver couple are building their “dream home.” A contemporary 2,000 square foot with three bedrooms, lots of oversized windows and a large covered deck to take in sweeping vistas of Nanaimo, Pasley Island and the forest.
They hired Brad Lamoureux, principal at Lamoureux Architect Inc., to bring their vision to fruition.
“It is an incredible property. When you drive around it, you drive through a forested portion before suddenly there’s a clearing on a little hill with a promontory fairly close to the forest’ edge,” says Lamoureux.
It was those views that dictated the modern, linear design Lamoureux envisioned.
“You want to tread very lightly … I immediately thought of a house gently resting on this magnificent land, with its rocky bluffs and abundance of wildflowers,” adds Lamoureux. “We are using local cedar for the post and beam and corrugated metal, shaped like a telescope to capture the vistas.”
It was very important to the Clarks’ not to disturb the forest surrounding them.
“Our design inspiration was about leaving the land as pristine as possible while trying to be sustainable too,” says Jeremy Clark.
To that end, Lamoureux implemented a passive solar system and they are only using indigenous plants in the landscaping.
“We also have a beehive of 8,000 bees,” says Caroline Clark. “On Bowen there are no bears and so the bees produce a black forest honey, which locals call mountain dew… this is very unique to Bowen.”
The couple love to spend weekends on Bowen, either overseeing the progress or getting involved in the build. Over the last few months, they have met some of their future neighbours.
“Walking the trails, we have met lots of people,” say both. “Every month, we discover new flowers … we enjoy watching the woodpeckers, eagles and the deer and their fawns. It’s so tranquil here and yet it is surprising how close it is to the Mainland.”
Once they move here full time, the Clarks’ hope to purchase a fishing boat, as well as create a breakfast area in a field filled with lavender and a greenhouse.
The Cape on Bowen is a master planned southwestern waterfront community with views of the Gulf Islands up to Vancouver Island. Within it are natural walking/hiking trails crisscrossing a creek and connecting to the cross-island greenway through an ecological wonder called Fairy Fen. There is also a 1-kilometer western oceanfront trail facing the sunset and the Howe Sound Islands.
The Cape on Bowen is a rare opportunity to buy oceanfront and ocean view acreage in a truly spectacular island setting. For more information, email info@thecapeonbowen.ca, or visit TheCapeOnBowen.ca.
THE CAPE ON BOWEN ISLAND