Look beyond the obvious and shopping for a condo in the Lower Mainland has some pleasant surprises. Like City in-the-Park, near Edmonds SkyTrain Station in Burnaby.

You don't expect to find big city sophistication in such a tranquil, suburban setting. But the next phase of this substantial development will have it all - a hotel-style concierge on duty in the gatehouse as well as a luxury glassed-in pool pavilion with steam room, whirlpool spa and sunny lounging area.

The Millennium Group certainly hasn't missed much in its execution of the community plan for seven elegant highrises on the 16-acre site.

City in-the-Park, conceived by Arthur Erickson 10 years ago, is still a work in progress with three 33-storey towers completed and occupied.

Suites in the next two towers, Mayfair Place, are now preselling with a target completion date of spring 2002.

In the building world, City in-the-Park is well on its way to becoming somewhat of a phenomenon, according to marketing manager Bob Rennie, who says developers from all over the U.S. have come to have a look at just how it works.

"It's really unique to have a highrise community carried through over 10 years with the same developer," says Rennie, who estimates it will take another five years before the community is completed.

Buyers have certain expectations of life in a high-end, big city highrise and the developer has thought of most of them.

SPECTACULAR VIEWS Certainly one hopes for a view and a feeling of spaces that extends beyond the walls of the condo.

The two 22-storey towers of Mayfair Place will be alongside the southwest edge of the property, looking out over low-rise buildings, so that even on the lower floors there are some dramatic views. On a clear day some residents will be able to see as far as Vancouver Island.

Suites facing into the interior of the site look down on the boxwood hedges of the two-acre formal gardens, a defining characteristic of the community.

SECURITY At Mayfair Place, a gatehouse checkpoint will be manned by a concierge. Video-monitored secured parking is another plus.

ELEGANT LOBBIES As in the sister buildings, guests at Mayfair Place will walk through high-ceilinged lobbies gleaming with marble.

RESIDENT AMENITIES Mayfair Place cancels the need to venture out of the building once residents arrive home after a busy day.

With an indoor pool, fitness facility, steam room and whirlpool shared between the two buildings, residents have no excuse for becoming coach potatoes. On a nice summer evening, there's always the option of a stroll through the formal gardens.

HANDY SHOPPING Alan Green owner/manager of the newly opened Peppers in-the-Park just across the street from Mayfair, stocks all sorts of gourmet essentials like sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and goats' cheese. If he doesn't have what residents want, he'll order it in.

This mini-version of Vancouver's Urban Fare has a specialty butcher counter, cheese counter, bakery, fresh produce that includes organic fare, a cappuccino bar and a few tables for light meals.

The store delivers, too, offering both phone and Internet shopping for groceries and party trays.

Prices in the new towers are considerably less than you could expect to pay for anything comparable in downtown Vancouver.

One-bedroom and den suites with 706 square feet of space are priced from $154,900. The top price for a 1,200 square-foot two-bedroom suite on the 19th floor is $249,900.

The most expensive suite is a two-level penthouse with 1,639 square feet, priced at $419,900.

You can get a feel for the interior of the suites at the presentation centre on the 17th floor of Claridges, the third of the completed towers in the complex.

All the suites have nine-foot ceilings, overheight eight-foot doors, and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. Granite countertops, sleek mahogany cabinetry and stainless appliances give a rich look to the display kitchen.

Move on to the living-room area and a simple, burnished mahogany mantel defines the gas fireplace: the view takes over the space.

Even the smallest suites have a computer work station with smart built-in metal-look shelving and dedicated phone, fax and high-speed Internet jacks.

Furniture-style cabinetry gives a new look to the bathrooms, with a tiled wall over the vanity adding a designer upgrade.

A five-minute walk from Edmonds Skytrain station, the Presentation Centre is open from noon to 6 p.m. daily except Fridays.