from fort st james to vancouver — same strategy, sharper focus
- 25-unit lakefront portfolio closed in 2016
- early proof of what now powers a focused vancouver practice
listing
description
This 2016 sale of Lakeview Apartments and Birch Villa — two stabilized, lakefront apartment buildings in Fort St James — wasn’t just one of the highest-performing investment deals in Northern B.C. at the time. It was a chapter in a broader journey.
Because careers don’t always move in straight lines.
Back then, I was focused on interior and northern markets — helping owners unlock value in small towns where deals were hard, financing was tougher, and buyer confidence had to be earned the long way. This deal — two clean buildings, high cash flow, near-zero vacancy — was a perfect example of how strategic marketing and thoughtful execution could deliver real results, even in places far off the beaten path.
But over time, I evolved.
Through hundreds of deals, and even more lessons, I leaned into what I loved most: zoning, development feasibility, strategic negotiation, and complex multifamily properties. I pursued higher education — CCIM, Development Specialization, Managing Broker’s Licence — and eventually, all of that varied experience sharpened into a single, focused direction: Vancouver multiplex and multifamily land.
Not the easiest road. But absolutely the right one.
And what I bring now to every client in Vancouver is exactly what I brought to this deal in 2016: clarity, action, and results. That’s what transforms potential into profit — whether it’s a lakefront 25-plex in Fort St James, or a high-value multiplex site in Mount Pleasant.
investment
thesis
Two side-by-side apartment buildings in a low-vacancy northern market, offering stable income, lake views, and upside through smart positioning — sold to a niche investor focused on long-term yield.
policy
context
Both buildings are zoned Multifamily Residential and located within Fort St James’ established urban area. Despite their prime lakefront positioning, the properties are not located within a designated floodplain, reducing regulatory complexity and risk associated with development or long-term ownership. The zoning supports continued rental use and aligns with local housing goals for stability and density near the town core. Municipal services are in place, and the surrounding context is low-density residential, with walkable access to parks, schools, and essential amenities.
buyer
appeal
This portfolio attracted a long-term investor focused on yield stability and physical quality in a low-supply rental market. With lake views from many units, full site-level parking, and strong in-place cash flow, the buildings offered both immediate income and long-term positioning. The buyer recognized the scarcity of comparable rental product in the region — especially with modernized interiors, low vacancy, and no floodplain exposure. The decision to acquire was driven by a combination of operational simplicity and geographic defensibility — a rare pairing in northern multifamily.
25-unit lakefront apartment deal
Closed in 2016 with 11.5% cap rate
Early chapter in a career now focused on Vancouver development
specifications
Sold Price: $1,375,000
Total Units: 25
Year Built: 1972 (Lakeview) / 1973 (Birch Villa)
Suite Mix:
Birch Villa: 11 x 1-Bedroom
Lakeview: 1 x Bachelor, 13 x 2-Bedroom
Cap Rate at Sale: 11.48%
Lot Size: 38,899 SF (Combined)
Parking: 40 Surface Stalls
Construction: Wood Frame
Zoning: Multifamily Residential
Vacancy Rate at Sale: 0.67%
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