Throughout the world, the environmental challenge has given architecture a renewed sense of purpose. CURV, with its Passive House credentials, takes this to the next level. It is also the first building project in Vancouver for Montreal-based developer Brivia Group.
Visually stunning, the undulating shape is meant to resemble a fresh, green shoot emerging from the crack in a city sidewalk. CURV will be the tallest Passive House in the world and will have 358 homes, including 96 social-housing units, and a rooftop amenities area.
In a global market where discerning buyers have their choice of impeccably appointed homes, the highest standard of design excellence is a minimum expectation. Representing a new era in sustainable design and engineering, CURV is built to the Passive House standard, the leading measure for low-carbon, energy-efficient homes, and will set a new standard and mark a new era of design and engineering aligned with personal and planetary well-being.
“Vancouver is known for its beauty, its livability, and its campaign to be the greenest city in the world. It is also admired globally for the quality of its urban planning and, increasingly, for its architectural ambition. All this makes Vancouver the perfect canvas for a 60-storey, luxury Passive House tower that stands as a tribute to the city, and a new benchmark for design excellence and environmental achievement worldwide.” Kheng Ly, Founder, President and CEO, Brivia Group
TOP-TIER TALENT
Jacky Chan‘s BakerWest Real Estate is the listing agent for CURV condominiums and Sarah Yada Seto, Vice President, Marketing for BakerWest, has been on board since the beginning. Excited to be a part of CURV, she says “When I joined the team at BakerWest, I added my voice to a team that is highly skilled and knowledgeable, but never forgets to have fun and treats everyone with respect. We also have an amazing network of sister companies and are able to connect with all of their teams as well. It’s rare to find an environment like this and I love being a part of it!”
Sarah previously consulted for Passive House Canada and worked on projects throughout Canada and the US, learning from and working with some of the top minds in the country, whose expertise was on the environmental performance of buildings. Sarah also brings experience from an impressive list of projects, including with Westbank Corp, Bosa Properties, and Rennie Marketing, and as Program Manager for Sustainable Communities at BC Hydro.
Sarah shares, “CURV represents everything that a development can be. It checks every single box you’d expect from a luxury development – from its views, and location and it’s a beautiful, organic form designed by a renowned architect. But achieving the platinum-level, global standard for environmental sustainability is truly the icing on the cake, and it elevates it into another realm that not many others are in.”
She continues, “The fact that we are now seeing the effects of climate change on a daily basis has taken my interest in sustainability from a mere ‘work’ interest to a true ‘life’ passion – in knowing that each one of us has a role to play in making a difference.”
TOM WRIGHT, DESIGNER
CURV architect Tom Wright is a principal of WKK Architects (UK) and earned international acclaim with buildings like the Burj Al Arab. In Vancouver, CURV will stand at the pinnacle of the city skyline and advance its aspiration to be the greenest in the world. LEMAY_ID X ESCOBAR Colombian-born CURV architectural interior designer Andres Escobar is collaborating with Lemay_id, creating a compelling vision and a strong team.
MARKETING EXPERTISE
Jamie Squires, President, and Managing Broker, is a leader within the Greater Vancouver real estate market with 20 years of experience in the industry and with Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing, is set to become one of the most successful and influential professionals in her field. To CURV, she brings dedication and extensive market intelligence.
Jamie shares some details regarding her passion for real estate, her team at Fifth Avenue, and the CURV Passive House project. “As someone who has been involved in real estate for over 15 years, CURV represents a dramatic shift in how we view luxury. CURV is emblematic of a seismic transformation in the very essence of luxury, catering to the evolving values of today’s discerning clientele who seek not just the best-of-the-best, but also embrace the passive and sustainable nature of the project. This remarkable development recognizes that modern luxury extends beyond extravagant finishes and amenities; it acknowledges the growing importance of eco-consciousness, energy efficiency, and harmonious coexistence with the environment. CURV demonstrates that true luxury is no longer just about extravagance, but also about responsible and sustainable living, aligning perfectly with the changing values of those seeking a more holistic and environmentally conscious approach to luxury living.”
“Before Fifth Avenue gets involved with a new development, it is key that our values align. For my team, these include an unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency, and excellence in all our endeavours. We prioritize fostering strong and enduring relationships with our clients, partners, and communities, ensuring that every project not only meets but also exceeds their expectations. Additionally, we place a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, recognizing the importance of creating spaces that not only enrich lives today but also contribute positively to the future. At Fifth Avenue, these core values serve as the foundation for our approach to real estate development, guiding us in every step of the journey.”
“I am passionate about CURV because it embodies the very essence of what I believe the future of luxury living should be. CURV seamlessly merges cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and sustainability, creating a harmonious and extraordinary living experience that resonates with modern sensibilities. It’s not just about building exceptional properties; it’s about crafting a lifestyle that caters to the evolving needs and desires of discerning individuals who want to live in spaces that are not only opulent but also environmentally responsible. CURV represents a vision for the future of real estate that excites me, and I am eager to be a part of this transformative journey in the industry.”
LOCATION IS KEY
Nelson Heights is fast becoming downtown Vancouver’s most sought-after address. CURV is flanked by the city’s ‘Luxury Zone,’ which includes luxury brand offerings from Hermes, Gucci, Prada, Dior, and more. Dining includes Michelin-recognized Botanist, Boulevard, and Mott 32, and some of North America’s top-ranked self-care enclaves like Chi Spa at the Shangri-La and Fairmont Pac Rim’s Willow Stream Spa.
HAVEN IN THE CLOUDS
On the 60th-floor rooftop, residents will find a lofty paradise, aptly named The Haven. A divine space that includes a luxury dining area with a barbecue and pizza oven and the open-air SkySpa and SkyBar, sheltered by a wall of windows that block the wind, an expansive lounge and an elegant and richly appointed private dining room. In addition to the gym with professional quality equipment, there is a games lounge with a golf simulator, billiards, and a yoga room powered by Lululemon Studio. From the 24-hour concierge on the ground level to top-floor access, CURV sets the stage every day for beauty and wonder.
THE FUTURE IS PASSIVE
Designed in Canada and developed in Germany, ‘Passive House’ is internationally recognized as the leading science-based standard for low-carbon, energy-efficient homes. Its exacting specifications create the optimal conditions to thrive—including fresh, filtered air in a quiet, tightly insulated, temperature-optimized environment—at lower ongoing costs.
Far exceeding the City of Vancouver’s 2030 target for net zero emissions, CURV will use as little as 10 percent of the heating and cooling energy of similar conventional buildings. Proving the Passive House form at this scale, CURV will be a tipping point in highrise residential construction—the world’s most energy-efficient structure and a new standard for the future of living. Building CURV to the Passive House standard will save an estimated 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over 50 years!
CURV is a visionary idea expressed in a luxury home: everything one would expect of an exclusive, international residential property, and something more. It is an exacting, and at this scale, unprecedented Passive House standard that reaches new heights for personal and planetary well-being.
Like Tesla in its innovative breakout phase, CURV leverages world-leading technological performance to deliver the highest-quality personal experience—the future of living. With iconic architecture, ethereal interiors, elevated amenities, panoramic views, and game-changing environmental achievement—CURV is luxury with purpose.
A FOCUS ON HEALTH & WELL-BEING
The environmental crisis threatens the planet’s livability, but the CURV team chooses to see it as a design challenge. When it comes to health and well-being, a home should guard against the challenges of modern life – from microbes and allergens, pollution, noise or otherwise, and an increasingly erratic climate. Passive House is the logical extreme in that ambition—with everything from an impenetrable building envelope to a purifying air exchange system—designed and built to ensure luxurious comfort and optimal conditions to thrive. Exceptional insulation guarantees optimal indoor temperatures no matter the weather outside. The high-quality, carefully engineered Passive House building envelope enhances comfort and ensures longevity. Triple-glazed, draft-free windows protect against the elements: cold, heat, and searing sunbeams.
There are no thermal bridges: exterior connections that transmit heat or cold in or out of buildings. The structure’s airtight building envelope prevents unwanted drafts and preserves absolute quiet. CURV’s ventilation system ensures the quiet circulation of clean, fresh, temperature-adjusted air. The Passive House standard ensures a long legacy with ultra-efficient energy use—saving up to 90% of heating and cooling energy compared to similar buildings. The result is lower operating costs and strata fees—freeing up resources and future-proofing its value.
SONG OF THE HEAVENS
As Vancouver is the gateway to the East, CURV, soon to be the highest point in the city, has another identity: Tin Wan (天韻). In Cantonese, these words translate roughly as “sky” and “song,” but together, they are understood to evoke “the song of the heavens.” This is fitting for a building that shapes a new way forward on a changing planet.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
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