Sunrise

Built in 1981 and condo converted in 1998, the Sunrise is of a type in the Chinatown neighbourhood: tiny suites, commercial spaces on the main and second floors and a few titled below-grade parking stalls usually not owned by those who own the suites. These buildings (also see Broadview Gardens and Five-Harvest Plaza) exactly serve their community, populated by many older immigrant Chinese-Canadians who don't drive, much less own a car. Here they can have a little home surrounded by friends and their culture, not burdened by higher costs for space and parking that they don't need.

The Sunrise is a 10-storey concrete tower housing 19 indoor titled parking stalls, a few large commercial condo spaces on the main and second floor, topped by 56 suites ranging from 360 to 668 square feet. The tiny floor areas of suites in this and similar buildings often means that CMHC will not issue mortgage insurance for buyers, who must then have at least 20% and likely 25% of the purchase price in cash in order to obtain a mortgage. All utilities including in-suite electrical use are included in the monthly condo contributions here.

Exterior windows and doors at Sunrise are common property for maintenance and future replacement. I have the Condo Plan on file.