Back row, from left: President of the Victoria Residential Builders Association, Norm Verbrugge, Lorin Turner of Zebra Interiors, Joan Gandza of Christopher Developments, Geoff Hobson of Hobson Woodworks, Rick LeBlanc of EKB Construction. Front row, from left, Christopher Walker and Eric Bowes of EKB Construction.
VICTORIA – Three has been a great number in 2022 for Christopher Developments Inc. This year marks three decades for the construction company, and their spectacular Lands End makes it three Project of the Year projects for Christopher Developments in the annual CARE (Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence) Awards of Vancouver Island.
While the company also earned Project of the Year honors in 2017 for Madrona and 2018 for Agate Lane – along with capturing the People’s Choice Award the past two years – Lands End won an amazing 10 different CARE Awards.
Owner and founder Christopher Walker is particularly proud of Lands End, a waterfront home that includes numerous unique, outstanding features that caught the attention of judges.
Christopher Developments Inc.’s CARE Award winning Lands End house
“Visually, it’s a beautiful home,” he notes, adding that waterfront homes are a specialty for the custom home builder. “The front elevation features curved dormers, steep pitched roof lines, and a dramatic exterior featuring exposed timber detailing.
“The waterfront setting definitely helps, and the rear yard faces Saltspring Island. We created an outdoor patio and living area that includes an infinity pool, spa, outdoor fireplace and kitchen,” he continues.
Having previously owned a winery, the homeowners wanted something very unique, and Christopher Developments, joined by Black Line Home Design and Zebra Interiors collaborated on the design of the home. Downstairs is a wine cellar that can hold 3,000 bottles of wine, with a three-storey round, glass elevator stretching to the top level of the home.
Award winning interior of Lands End home
“When you walk into the entry way, you see this elevator rise all the way to the master bedroom on the top level,” he states. “It was a very challenging build, but it came off beautifully.”
It’s a crowning achievement atop a long list of awards that includes Best Single Family trophies for 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Walker says the company, led by himself and his wife Joan, focus on high-end custom homes, building two or three per year.
“We keep it tight,” he says. “We‘re well organized, and we work with a group of sub-trades and contractors that are essentially our team, and as project managers, we coordinate construction with a collaborative and efficient process.”
Walker’s journey into construction is unique, as he is an aircraft mechanic and commercial pilot.
“Myself and a group of fellow pilots fly a formation in old Chinese warbirds called Nanchangs. Our big day is Remembrance Day, where we fly over the Legislature at 2 minutes to 11 a.m. each year,” he explains. “It’s a big passion of mine and I spend a lot of time doing it.”
Lands End’s wine cellar
Walker says he’s always had a passion for design, and in 1992 he decided to make a career change after meeting a realtor and together they started buying duplexes in Esquimalt that led to other single family developments and townhouses, and starting Christopher Developments. Eventually he decided to focus on top-of-market custom homes.
“Whenever someone is considering hiring us, we invite them to call anyone we’ve worked for, and they sing our praises. I’m very proud that we have a long list of happy customers,” he says. “We have a transparent process that focuses heavily on the client’s budget. Communication with our clients, sub-trades and buyers, is a key for us. We’re creative and transparent, and keep the lines of communication open with everyone concerned. That always leads to successful projects.”
www.christopherdevelopments.com
This Content Was Sponsored by:
Platinum: Wine Cellar Depot, Fensterek
Gold: One Touch House, Victoria Specialty Hardware and Plumbing, Zebra Interior
Silver: Island Floor Centre, K2 Stone
Bronze: West Coast Prefinish, We Paint Inc, Butler Bros.
