Side of house exterior options - advice needed

Advice on material to use on exterior of home. Two story home made out of redwood built in the 1980s. One end of the home is in direct sunlight and the owner would like to replace the redwood on this one end with another product. He is receiving bids and most have been to replace with hard plank. He doesn’t like that look.
He has also looked at the nail on faux brick siding which he does like, but cannot find anyone that wants to install it.

The area is 500 square feet and goes up to the peak of the roof.
Would a masonry be able to brick this one end and ball park prices for this? He really wants it to look good – this end of the home is seen when driving up the long and winding road to his home.
Need suggestions please. Thank you.

 

A picture may help.
That faux brick is not cheap of you get one that really looks looks like real brick.
A real brick veneer would require a whole lot more work from foundation to the roof then they may be willing to do. It needs a footer, it's going to effect all the outside corner trim and where it meets the rakes of the roof, any window openings.
No way is anyone on any website should be guessing prices, not going to do anyone any good.

 

What's his complaint with fiber cement? Certainly sounds like he wouldn't be open to vinyl either....