Condo of the Week: an East Van condo with a beautiful backyard

This two-bedroom home offers two big-city rarities: a private backyard and a sense of community

The Details: 3-513 East Pender St. | $675,000 | 760 Sq Ft | 2 Bed, 1 BathThe Condo: Offering up some serious mid-century cool, this delightful two-bedroom home is perfect for those looking for a blend of unique design and functional living. With vaulted 16′ foot ceilings, heated concrete floors, loft master bedroom and a large kitchen skylight to bring in the natural light, there’s a lot to love here. The ground floor is open-concept with a sleek European-style kitchen, while the bathroom has a walk-in glass shower and wall-hung toilet. The living room features French doors, which lead out to the beautifully landscaped 380-Sq-Ft private backyard. As a bonus, the yard contains a finished steel shed that doubles as an office or workshop.The Building: Jackson Gardens is a 26-unit townhouse complex built in 1984. Pets and rentals are both permitted, and there is a parking stall included.The Neighbourhood: Strathcona is an eclectic and charming blend of young families, artists and entrepreneurs. While the proximity to downtown and the amazing bars and restaurants of neighbouring Chinatown and Gastown are huge draws, the best part of the neighbourhood is the community. There’s an evident feeling of pride among neighbours. Long-term, as the surrounding area continues to gentrify, the value in this area is certain to rise.Potential Downsides: East Hastings is just a block away, and there’s no getting around that. While it goes unnoticed from the front door, a quick stroll toward the mountains offers a stark reminder of a much different way of life.