September 2023 Capital Region Commercial Real Estate Report

September 26, 2023

A rendering of Aryze Developments’ 12-storey rental proposal, coming to Fisgard Street at Quadra Street, that will not require a public hearing, Victoria council says. © Aryze Developments

By Mike Kozakowski of Citified.ca

SIDNEY
Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) has approved Kothari Group’s proposal for a 129-room hotel on 3.5 acres of commercial-zoned land at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) at the corner of Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue West. The VAA writes in a statement: Intended as the Victoria region’s first extended stay hotel, the three-storey all-suite hotel will feature a combination of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units with fully equipped kitchens, a fitness centre, swimming pool, and 1,500 square feet of meeting space. Read more here

Sidney’s Cedarwood Inn & Suites redevelopment has taken a major step forward with the unveiling of fresh plans for the ocean view site at 9522 Lochside Drive. Situated on over three acres of land across from Tulista Park, developer GMC Projects with architectural firm Ekistics Architecture have envisioned the future of the Cedarwood property as a 97-unit mixed-use condominium, townhome and light commercial node taking advantage of its oceanside location within short walking distance to Sidney’s town core. Read more here
VICTORIA
A 10-storey downtown rental project now in its excavation stage could grow by an extra floor and 14 additional homes if a variance application gets the nod. In 2019, The Salient Group secured approvals for 101-unit mixed-use tower at 819-827 Fort Street, which was subsequently revised with floor plans accommodating 105 units and at-ground retail spaces. Late last year as site preparation began, the company went back to the City to pursue a design change that would better align with political agendas and a revised downtown plan issued by the municipality, while adding more rental homes at a time when they’re needed most. Read more here

Downtown Victoria’s newest office tower is readying for its rise above Douglas Street at Humboldt Street as Telus Ocean’s excavation completes and construction begins. The 10-storey complex features three levels of underground parking, and ten floors split between at-ground retail, eight levels of offices, and a top floor amenity component with a rooftop available to community groups and event organizers. The total office square footage is nearly 154,000 square feet, plus approximately 5,300 square feet of for-lease ground floor commercial area. Completion is expected in 2025. Read more here

The Burnside Gorge neighbourhood’s former Travelodge complex, which in 2020 was converted into residences for homeless persons by the provincial government as part of COVID-era emergency housing measures, is back to hotel operations. Now known as The Vic Hotel, the approximately 100-room facility at 123 Gorge Road East has received a full interior upgrade and restoration, its exterior is freshly painted in a black-and-white motif, and its services are now described as a four-star lodging option. Read more here

Midtown’s newest condominium project is making good progress between Speed Street and Frances Avenue opposite Douglas Street’s Mayfair Shopping Centre, with its first phase nearing occupancy in September. Tresah – from Victoria-based developer Mike Geric Construction (MGC) – will complete its six-storey Tresah East component in the coming days, while Tresah’s 12-storey Tresah West counterpart (see website) is on-track for completion by summer of next year. Now launching a Tresah fall sales campaign, Mike Geric Construction is offering a market-leading $10,000 deposit on any home at Tresah West where 70% of the 179 suites have already sold. Prices for remaining one-to-two-bedroom condominiums, townhomes and penthouses start at $399,000. Read more here

A proposal to redevelop Fisgard and Quadra streets’ 112-year-old, 15-unit Abbey complex into a highrise rental tower will proceed without a public hearing. City planners issued a recommendation ahead of a Committee of the Whole to waive a public hearing for a largely community plan compliant rezoning and concurrent development permit application from Aryze Developments for 1702 Quadra Street and 862 Fisgard Street, where the proponent has pitched a 12-storey, 91-unit apartment block accommodating four on-site parking spots. Council voted to move the project forward without a public hearing. Read more here

VIEW ROYAL
A historically low downpayment option has propelled sales at View Royal’s latest condominium offering to a 35% sold-out status, according to the project team. The Grand & Fir, coming to Portage Park near View Royal’s town hall and adjacent to the Four Mile brewpub, has sold nearly 30 of its 82 suites in studio through three-bedroom layouts, thanks to a market-leading 2.5% payment at signing, followed by a 2.5% top-up 12 months later. The deposit structure represents among the lowest downpayments in the Capital Region. Read more here

Mike Kozakowski is with Citified Media and can be reached at mailto:mike@citifiedmedia.com

Copyright (C) 2023 by Citified Media Inc. Content under license to Business Examiner.

 

Share This