Just as “cozy charmer” has long been real estate code for “really small house,” “granite countertops” has, since the 1990s, signaled the “height of luxury” in homes.
Last week the article “Wave of luxury starts with condos on Colby” informed us that the planned Colby Tower in downtown Everett will include nine luxury (yes, “luxury” has replaced “upscale” as the preferred adjective when selling to people with a lot of money to spend) condos featuring floor plans of up to 2,000 square feet, high-end refrigerators, granite countertops and other luxury appliances and fixtures. Of course the real selling point is the views – the Olympic Mountains and the Port Gardner Bay to the west, and the Cascades to the east.
The condos will sell for $950,000 and up. Those views command every penny and more.
But it seems that if you have $950,000 or more to spend on housing (we’re guessing), the real luxury would be to have the chance to choose your own countertops. And flooring. Granite countertops can be beautiful, and they are definitely functional, but some people find them dark, cold and a too-hard surface.
People with a lot of money to spend (again, we’re conjecturing here) would seem likely to want something unique, now that everyone and their mother has granite countertops. Wood, bamboo, all types of tile, recycled glass, quartz, soapstone, concrete and even new formicas are all fine countertop choices.
OK, not a burning issue of our times, but hey, spread the wealth. Encourage creativity. Do something different.
Speaking of the Colby Tower, the plan also calls for a restaurant to fill some of the ground-floor retail space. This is good news, as new restaurants are always welcome. And as downtown continues to blossom, what would be absolutely fantastic is a restaurant at the top of one these new buildings, or an old one, for that matter. A fine restaurant with those stunning views. Currently, the two Providence hospital campus cafeterias are the only spots near downtown to eat and take in that sweeping view.
Such a restaurant would not only draw locals, but tourists too. Since we’re dreaming about the downtown we want, why not put a garden on top of that building? The restaurant could have a kitchen garden up there, and spots for the public to take in the view. Surely a garden counts toward building “green.”
And with Everett gearing up to woo tourists, with the 2010 Olympics in British Columbia looming, perhaps the city could capitalize on the fine views from its own Wall Street Building. Offices could be converted to an eatery or coffee shop. “Grub ‘n’ Government Caf” or “City Vittles” with a view, perhaps?
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