When we first set foot on the lot at Woodgreen in West Vancouver, there was nothing there. Just bare ground and potential.
Today, it’s The Gated Haven, a luxury custom home that blends modern elegance with thoughtful craftsmanship.
From the initial sketches to the final finishes, every detail was carefully planned to reflect our client’s vision and the high standards that define Goldcon Construction. With its striking design, award-worthy kitchen, and spaces made for both comfort and entertaining, The Gated Haven has captured attention online and in the industry, becoming a finalist in two Georgie Awards categories as well as two Havan Awards categories.
In this article, we take you behind the scenes of The Gated Haven. We walk you through the initial layout, highlight award-finalist spaces like the kitchen, and show how Goldcon Construction brings clients’ dream homes to life while maintaining the highest standards of design and build quality.
Introducing Gated Haven by Goldcon Construction
The Gated Haven is a 5,600-square-foot custom single-family home located on a 17,000-square-foot lot on Woodgreen Drive in West Vancouver. The property is designed for open, functional living and combines well-planned spaces meant for practical, day-to-day use with high-quality finishes.
Key features of this luxury home include:
- Main floor: large kitchen, mudroom, family room, dining area, powder room, office, and pantry
- Covered patio with ocean views
- Upper floor: four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a second laundry room
- Double garage: one 2-car garage and one 4-car garage (with a lift)
- Open floor plan that promotes natural light and flow between spaces
- High-end materials and finishes throughout
The Gated Haven has been recognized as a finalist in two Georgie Awards categories: Custom Home valued between $3M-$6M and Best Single-Family Kitchen over $200K.
It has also been recognized as a finalist in two Havan Awards categories: Best Custom Home: $3 Million – Under $5 Million and Best Primary Suite.
This project reflects the level of planning, design, quality craftsmanship, and coordination required to build a high-end custom home in West Vancouver.
The Vision Behind The Gated Haven (Woodgreen)
When we took on The Gated Haven, our goal was to create something exceptional on one of West Vancouver’s most desired lots. From the first conversations to the final design decisions, every space was thoughtfully planned to reflect how this family lives and entertains.
For modern luxury and everyday life
At its core, the Gated Haven was envisioned as a modern luxury retreat home for a family that values both connection and privacy. The design reflects this in several ways:
- Expansive sliding doors and large floor-to-ceiling windows blur the lines between the living spaces and outdoors.
- Warm woods, sleek metals, and layered textures create a home that feels luxurious without losing the warmth or personality.
- For a family of car enthusiasts, the garage isn’t just a storage space. It has vaulted ceilings tall enough to fit two car lifts and was designed to be a proper home for the owner’s car collection.
A creative collaboration
Creating The Gated Haven was a collaborative effort involving some of the best minds in the industry:
- Robert Blaney Design for Architectural vision
- Beyond Beige for Interior design
- Bearmark Design for Landscape design
- The Goldcon team for refining design details, coordinating complex elements, and delivering the final result
Designing On Woodgreen: Lot Constraints and Creative Solutions
The Woodgreen Drive Lot was not a straightforward building site. Its size and orientation introduced constraints that urged the team to think creatively at every turn. Here’s a closer look at how we navigated those challenges.
A lot with two front streets
The property spans 17,000 square feet, with access to both Woodgreen Drive at the front and Woodgreen Court at the rear. The District of West Vancouver treats both sides as front-facing, which means the home had to be designed to work across both orientations.
Instead of treating the rear as a private backyard, the design team created it as a second front yard. This gave the home a broad, welcoming layout while maintaining privacy and security.
Navigating municipal regulations
The project also had to comply with the District of West Vancouver’s setback, height limits, and zoning regulations. Instead of pushing for more square footage, we redirected our focus to the quality of the available space and worked closely with the designers to translate creative ideas without compromising the final finish.
Maximizing space within limits
With the lot pushed to its legal limits on size and height, ceiling heights, window placements, and interior flow were designed to maximize openness and natural light. Those constraints pushed the team to be more intentional about how space was used.
Bedrock blasting
The site presented another layer of complexity beneath the surface. The District of West Vancouver regulates how much rock can be removed from each property, and the Woodgreen lot sat on natural bedrock that had to be cleared to fit both the home and the pool.
To get approval, we wrote a formal letter to the district’s land development department and made our case. We got the approval, and the blasting took three weeks to complete.
Also, instead of treating the excavated boulders as waste, we repurposed them throughout the surrounding landscape, giving the grounds a natural character that feels native to the North Shore.
The Kitchen: A Georgie Awards Finalist
If one space captured the heart of The Gated Haven, it would be the kitchen. Planned early in the design process and built to be the social and functional centre of the home, it earned a Georgie Awards nomination in the Best Single-Family Kitchen over $200,000 category.
Layout and function
The kitchen was designed as an open hub where family and guests can gather, cook, and connect. South-facing windows fill the room with natural light for most of the day, framing views of the yard and keeping the space feeling airy and open.
Two custom metal and glass doors are positioned on either side of the kitchen. One leads to the mudroom, and the other opens to the pantry, which connects directly to the exterior BBQ and outdoor dining area. The flow between cooking, hosting, and the outdoors is built into the plan from the start.
What elements set it apart
The layout supports the functionality, but the details are what make the space memorable:
- A massive custom metal hood fan sits above the range as a statement piece, one that required eight people to install
- Two-tone white oak cabinetry creates depth and contrast throughout the space
- Minimal hardware keeps the aesthetic clean and uncluttered
- A feature wine display built into the cabinetry adds character without taking up floor space
Materials and appliances
The selection of wood, metal, and accent colours elevates the space. The kitchen features these appliances and materials:
- Island: Silestone Et Noir Suede, a matte stone that sits at the centre of the room and pulls the whole space together
- Perimeter countertops and backsplash: Dekton Trance, a smooth finish that runs consistently across every surface
- Cabinetry: White oak in a two-tone finish, light and dark working together without competing
- Flooring: Herringbone engineered hardwood
- Appliances: We used Miele throughout
- Hood fan: Custom metal, large enough that it required eight people to install
- Doors: Custom metal and glass, one on each side of the kitchen leading to the mudroom and pantry
Why it earned recognition
The Georgie Awards nomination wasn’t tied to any single feature. It was the result of how every decision in the kitchen, from the layout and materials to the detailing and the way it connects to the rest of the home, came together as one complete space.
Building The Gated Haven: Process, Phases, and Problem-Solving
Once the design decisions were in place, our focus shifted to execution. Construction began in January 2024 and wrapped up in September 2025. For around 20 months, our team worked through a project of this level of complexity and custom detail.
To achieve this, we broke down the construction process into various phases and timelines. Some phases ran alongside others as the project progressed.
- Bedrock blasting and site preparation: Approximately 1 month
- Foundation and framing: 3 to 4 months
- Rough-in electrical, plumbing, windows, and roofing: About 4 months, with exterior cladding starting as soon as the windows were in place
- Interior finishing and drywall: 10-11 months, which is equal to or longer than the early phases
- Landscaping: About 4 months, running at the same time as the interior work
During the build, our goal was to stay organized and address issues before they affected the next stage. Let’s break down how the team brought the project from plans to reality:
Daily site supervision
On a project like this, someone from the Goldcon team was on site every single day. Not to hover, but because when you’re working on a home with this many custom details, questions come up constantly.
Having someone there to quickly respond on the spot meant problems got handled before they had a chance to slow anything down. And problems did come up, as that’s just the reality of this kind of complex build. The goal was always to find a solution quickly and keep moving.
Careful sequencing
When working on a home with this many custom elements, the order of operations matters more than people realize. These are some of the sequencing choices we made:
- The natural stone cladding around the staircase windows had to go in before the window shades, because the stonework affects where the railings sit
- The shades had to be installed before the stair railing could go in
- Control 4 automation wiring had to be run through beams and hard-to-reach areas early, before those spaces were closed off
Getting any of these sequences wrong would’ve cost time and money, forcing us to rework things that were already finished.
The floating stairs
Engineering the floating staircase was one of the more demanding parts of the build. Each tread is set off from the wall with lighting underneath, which looks simple but requires precise structural work to pull off properly. It was one of those details that took real problem-solving to get right.
The landscaping
The outdoor work had its own set of challenges. Laying the pavers around the pool on a 17,000 square foot lot required careful planning to get everything to fit and line up correctly. The landscaping was running at the same time as the interior finishing work, without either project getting in the way of the other.
Coordinating skilled trades
None of this works without the right people. For a project at this level, Goldcon works with trades who know what they’re doing and understand what’s expected of them.
We selected electricians, plumbers, framers, stone workers, and automation specialists who understood the scope of the project and met Goldcon’s standards.
We made sure that:
- Every phase was scheduled with others in mind
- Trade teams understood the workflow and timelines
- Sequencing didn’t slow the project down
Energy Efficiency and Smart Home Integration
The Gated Haven is built to perform as well as it looks. From its energy systems to its home automation, every technical decision was made with long-term comfort and functionality in mind.
Energy efficiency
The Gated Haven is built to Step Code 3, which means it goes beyond British Columbia’s standard energy performance requirements. In practical terms, the home is well insulated and designed to stay comfortable year-round without working the heating and cooling systems harder than necessary.
Here are some things that made this possible:
- The exterior walls were wrapped in 2 inches of Roxul exterior insulation for stronger thermal protection
- The roof has a spray-foamed blanket that acts as a thermal layer over where weather exposure is greatest
- We added in-floor radiant heating that keeps the living areas cozy in cool seasons
- Air conditioning handles the warmer seasons on the North Shore
Automated systems and smart home integration
The home runs on a full Control4 automation system. Control4 is a whole-home platform that ties lighting, climate, security, entertainment, and more into one system.
At the Gated Haven, every light switch in the house is automated, and so is the car gate at the entrance. The owners can manage the home from a single interface rather than dealing with each system separately.
Running the wiring for a system this extensive was one of the more demanding parts of the build, particularly around exposed beams and other hard-to-access areas. It required careful planning early in the process to get everything in place before those spaces were closed off.
The Numbers: Cost Considerations and What Drives Pricing
The Gated Haven was built at approximately $800 per square foot, placing it in the $3 million to $6 million range. For a Vancouver custom home at this level, that number reflects the quality of materials, the complexity of the site, and the standard of finish that went into every part of the build.
The major cost drivers on this project were:
- Bedrock blasting and foundation preparation, which most projects don’t have to deal with at all
- Landscaping across a 17,000 square foot lot, including pavers, hedges, stone integration, and a fully automated aluminum entry gate for both cars and pedestrians
- Pool installation, with pool costs continuing to rise in West Vancouver
- Metal roofing, which costs more upfront than standard asphalt shingles but lasts significantly longer
- Cedar cladding and exterior accents, which are labour-intensive to source and install
- Natural stone interior and exterior from White Country Squire by Buechel Stone
- Stained oak cabinetry, which takes considerably more time and skill to produce than laminate alternatives
- Full Control 4 home automation system
- Light fixtures and LED strip lighting throughout the home, which adds up across a build of this size
For anyone building custom homes or planning a similar project, be prepared for real costs and have a contingency in place. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 10-15% of your total budget as a buffer to avoid rushed decisions. Homes like this are not straightforward builds, and the budget needs to reflect that from the start.
The Recognition: Two Georgie Awards Nominations
The Gated Haven has been named a 2026 finalist for the Georgie Awards, presented by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia. The Georgies recognise outstanding projects and builders across the province and are one of the most respected awards in the BC home building industry.
The Gated Haven earned nominations in two categories:
- Custom Home valued between $3 million and $6 million
- Best Single-Family Kitchen over $200,000
You can view the full 2026 finalist list here.
For our team, these nominations reflect the standard we hold ourselves to on every project. The Gated Haven is one home, but the way it was designed, built, and finished is the same approach we bring to every custom home we take on.
Craftsmanship and Construction Standards at Goldcon
At Goldcon Construction, building a custom home is not something we take lightly.
With over 25 years of combined experience in custom homes, coach houses, and luxury renovations across West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and the broader North Shore, we have built a reputation on trust, communication, and getting the details right every time.
We bring every vision to life with precision and have a track record of delivering projects that exceed expectations.
The Gated Haven is a good example of how we work. The owners visited the site only three times throughout the entire build. They shared their vision, trusted us to bring it to life, and walked into a finished home that matched exactly what they had envisioned.
Why Clients Choose Goldcon as Their Custom Home Builder in West Vancouver
Projects like The Gated Haven demonstrate why Goldcon is the custom home builder West Vancouver and North Shore homeowners trust for premium homes.
West Vancouver is one of the most demanding and rewarding places in Canada for custom home building, and navigating the approval processes and site-specific constraints requires local expertise that only comes from years of working in the community.
As our CEO says, “We are truly grateful for the opportunity to build this unique luxury home and showcase our strengths and talents in the home-building industry. Clients can expect peace of mind and quality craftsmanship when working with Goldcon. We want our brand to be known for being professional and trusted.”
If you are ready to create your dream home with a custom home builder in West Vancouver, let’s work together. Explore The Gated Haven project to learn more.
FAQs
What factors should I consider when choosing a custom home builder in West Vancouver or North Shore?
Factors to consider include:
- Verifiable local expertise in West Vancouver and North Vancouver
- A portfolio of comparable projects you can review
- Clear communication from the first conversation
- A team that understands and buys into your vision
- Award recognition or industry standing as a signal of consistent quality
How much does home renovation cost?
The cost of renovation projects varies widely based on the scope, materials, desired level of finish, and site conditions. For an accurate estimate, consult your builder early in the planning process.
What services does a custom home builder provide?
A full-service custom home builder like Goldcon Construction:
- Manages pre-construction planning and permit applications
- Coordinates architects, interior designers, and trades
- Oversees site logistics and sequencing
- Handles quality control at every stage
- Addresses challenges as they come up during the build
- Delivers the finished home to the agreed standard
