If a person wants to buy a home in an urban centre that has lots of historical character — and isn’t a trust fund baby, drug lord, Wall Street crook or gold digger — the best bet is New Westminster.

That could well be the only affordable, yet relatively funky neighbourhood left in Metro Vancouver.

The Trapp+Holbrook development on Columbia Street, for example, promises 196 condos with all the heritage charm of a Gastown loft, but at a fraction of the price.

The project — expected to be finished by late 2014 or early 2015 — will be comprised of a 20-storey tower and 8,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. The building will incorporate carefully reconstructed facades and features from two dismantled, turn-of-the-century landmarks — the terra cotta Trapp block and the brick Holbrook building.

Inside, the home plans are thoughtfully designed for modern living. The kitchens will have quartzite countertops with glass-mosaic-tiled backsplash and top-notch appliance packages. The bathrooms will have porcelain-tiled floors and deep soaker tubs with ergonomic back inclines. Plus, most T+H homes will boast large balconies, spectacular views and plenty of storage space. There will be many contemporary amenities on site, including a fully equipped fitness facility, outdoor barbecue pit with dining area, and community garden plots.

Typical sizes range from approximately 500 square feet for a junior one-bedroom suite to a little more than 1,000 square feet for two bedrooms and den. Prices for these homes start at $219,900. And considering that will get you a waterfront character home, that price tag might be one of the best deals in town.

Trapp+Holbrook is conveniently located between two SkyTrain stations, so residents are never more than a short ride away from downtown Vancouver (you know — the place where people still pay an arm and leg for new homes).

The Trapp+Holbrook presentation centre at 702 Columbia St. is open daily, except Fridays, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit thliving.com.