Recently built single-family homes at Sooke’s Wadams Farm subdivision are move in-ready, and priced as the most affordable newly constructed houses among Victoria’s latest subdivisions. Builder-developer Aragon Properties has delivered an up-market housing option to Sooke’s town centre at Wadams Farm, representing the most competitively priced, and a high-end-built, collection of new homes anywhere in Greater Victoria. © Aragon Properties
By Mike Kozakowski of Citified.ca
ESQUIMALT
After two and a half years of construction, a 99-home condominium and street level retail project at 1075 Tillicum Road is transitioning into its occupancy phase, Abstract Developments has announced. In mid April, the Victoria-based builder-developer celebrated a ‘key presentation’ ceremony with new homeowners and retailers, alongside the Township of Esquimalt’s mayor and council. Central Block, a six-storey addition to the Township’s Gorge Waterway community on Tillicum Road, has sold 70% of its one, two and three-bedroom residences, and both retail units have been pre-purchased. “The Gorge neighbourhood is a gem in Esquimalt and adding these new homes and storefronts will further build on its vibrant energy. I would like to welcome new businesses and residents to the community,” Desjardins said. Read more here
SAANICH
The redevelopment of Saanich’s University Heights Shopping Centre near the University of Victoria is on track to reach completion by mid-2026, some three years after construction began on a mixed-use rental and retail mega-project at the hands of South Carolina-based real-estate conglomerate Greystar. The multi-building project bordered by McKenzie Avenue, Shelbourne Street and Cedar Hill Road was first envisioned by Metro Vancouver-based Wesbild Holdings in the late 2010s. Wesbild secured approvals in 2022 following a lengthy and at times tumultuous municipal planning process, and sold the asset to Greystar in alignment with fourth and final reading issued by the District of Saanich. Construction got underway in 2023, and by 2025, the first phase of the project secured occupancy for rental apartments and retail spaces. At full build-out later this year, nearly 600 rental suites will be delivered at University Heights, along with approximately 165,000 square feet of modern retail space, as per planning documents sourced at the time of municipal approvals. Read more here
SOOKE
A new-build community of move in-ready single-family homes in Sooke’s oceanside town centre has announced a notable price adjustment that positions its offerings into an affordability category not seen in years. The Wadams Farm subdivision, under construction along Wadams Way at Church Road opposite Sooke’s new library, is the latest south Island development from luxury builder-developer Aragon Properties, which as of this spring, is selling three and four-bedroom homes priced from a market-leading, and seriously head-turning, $799,900. “The value proposition for these modern, spacious and avant-garde brand new homes is tremendous when compared to price points of new-build single-family houses throughout southern Vancouver Island,” says Jessica Wageman, Wadams Farm’s sales manager. Read more here
VICTORIA
One of the largest residential buildings by unit count to ever rise in downtown Victoria will reach occupancy this year between Chatham and Herald streets at Government Street. Known as Spencer Block, the five-storey complex spread across 1.5 acres of land will deliver 278 market rental apartments and a large contingent of ground floor retail spaces, where formerly an automotive repair business and surface parking lots were once situated. Vancouver-based developer Denciti Development Corp. describes the project’s location as “uniquely positioned at the border of Victoria’s Chinatown, Old Town, and Rock Bay neighbourhoods.” Read more here
A downtown Victoria rental tower newly completed along the 800-block of Fort Street has achieved a rapid-fire uptake rate since its lease-up program began earlier this year, the developer confirms. Known as 825 Fort, the 11-storey tower’s 119 residential units in studio, one, two and three-bedroom layouts are just about fully leased, indicating demand for city centre new-build suites remains a strong asset class for south Island real-estate. Construction of 825 Fort began in 2022 by Vancouver-based The Salient Group, and move-ins started this February. Salient’s President Robert Fung says of the company’s latest project in Victoria, which incorporated notable heritage blocks as part of the tower’s podium, that it has resonated with tenants over its up-market interiors and landmark design. “Our goal with 825 Fort was to create rental housing that thoughtfully integrates with Victoria’s architectural heritage while delivering a modern, elevated living experience for today’s urban renter,” Fung said, adding that “we are both delighted and humbled by the tremendous response from the community and by the many residents who have already chosen to call 825 Fort home.” The project rose on the site of a former Turkish bath and furniture store, and more recently, a Canadian Forces recruitment centre. Vancouver-based architecture firm MCMP drew inspiration from two multi-storey heritage buildings at the site dating to the early 20th century, and partially retained their Fort Street frontages. Read more here
Mike Kozakowski is with Citified Media and can be reached at mailto:mike@citifiedmedia.com
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