The Gorge Waterway straddling the shorelines of Saanich and Esquimalt between the Tillicum Road and Admirals Road bridges is a spectacular waterfront gem in Greater Victoria. Abstract Developments has unveiled Brooke, its latest townhome community, along Gorge Road West with Gorge Waterway-view homes. Brooke represents a rare new-build homeownership opportunity for the area. © Abstract Developments
By Mike Kozakowski of Citified.ca
LANGFORD
A major residential project north of Langford’s city centre has been cancelled and the development parcels along the 2600-block of Peatt Road court-ordered for sale. Langford Gateway, up to a four-tower, mixed-use proposal from an entity named Langford Gateway Developments, had secured approvals in 2021 for building heights of up to 22 storeys and a residential density of over 450 units in its first phase of two towers, plus nearly 8,500 square feet of commercial space. Read more here
A new highrise development has been proposed for downtown Langford on lots adjacent to the recently cancelled (above-mentioned) four-tower project. Surrey, BC-based ParaMorph Architecture on behalf of a consortium of owners presented the City of Langford’s design panel with a vision for a rezoning application encompassing eight lots between the 2600-blocks of Peatt and Sunderland roads, near Langford’s Veterans Memorial Parkway fire hall. Two towers, at 13 and 22 storeys in height, feature a mix of studio through two-bedroom homes along with commercial units at-grade. Nearly 320 residential units are planned atop some 12,000 square feet of retail space. Read more here
SAANICH
Abstract Developments has announced the third and pinnacle addition to its ‘Townhome Collection’ of ‘missing middle’ home offerings in the Capital, known as Brooke. Priced from $1,150,000, the up-market, luxury release of 25 three-storey townhomes on the Saanich side of the Gorge Waterway features picturesque water views, three and four-bedroom layouts and an ideal location close to transit routes, shopping and recreation. Construction of Brooke quietly got underway in mid-2024 along the 600-block of Gorge Road West, and homes are expected to reach occupancy by summer of 2026. Read more here
SAANICH/OAK BAY
The University of Victoria has wrapped up public engagement concerning a future on-campus dormitory planned for Sinclair Road near Clarndon Road on a portion of Parking Lot 5. UVic has unveiled plans to build a 500-bed residential facility for upper year undergraduate and graduate students on a site immediately east of its most recent housing and dining project, known as Cheko’nien House and Sngequ House. With consultation complete, the design of the building will get underway this spring. Construction, pending financial supports from government, is planned for a spring 2026 start. Occupancy is expected to occur in 2029. Read more here
VICTORIA
A newly completed residential and retail development that now stands in place of a strip mall formerly home to popular Greek restaurant Ithaka, a Panago Pizza franchise and other retailers, has fully sold its commercial units. Chard Development’s 107-suite Nest tower – situated at 1100 Yates Street and Cook Street with its one and two-bedroom residences now over 90% sold – is fully subscribed for four street-level commercial units representing 5,915 square feet of modern retail space. A second floor 8,333 square foot daycare is expected to open in mid-2025. Read more here
Meanwhile, Chard Development’s Haven condominium is move in-ready along the 1100-block of Johnson Street just east of Cook Street. Of its 104 suites, only three homes remain for sale with the opportunity to acquire a new-build residence supported by BC Housing’s Affordable Home Ownership Program available to purchasers who do not already own real-estate. Read more here
The first phase of a three-phase redevelopment spanning the 900 and 1000 blocks of Yates and View streets between Quadra and Cook streets is officially underway, with soil remediation efforts having commenced at ‘Harris Green Village’s’ first phase on Cook Street at Yates Street. Planned for the Harris automotive dealership lands, formerly home to Ensign Chrysler, are two towers of 20 and 21 storeys sharing a five-storey podium. The subsequent two phases of Harris Green Village will redevelop the actual (current) Harris Green Village strip mall along the 900-block of Yates Street between Vancouver and Quadra streets, with an additional 1,000 to 1,100 residential units in towers of up to 32 storeys. Construction is not expected to begin until after phase one at Cook Street completes. Total build-out is not expected until the mid-to-late 2030s, pending market conditions. Read more here
REGIONAL
Greater Victoria’s residential real-estate market posted significant gains in February as average prices for single-family homes and condominiums surged to their second-highest February peak since the historic values of 2022, according the Victoria Real Estate Board. Property sales from Sooke to Sidney jumped 12% compared to February of 2024 to post 528 transactions. Houses averaged $1.3 million, and condos $660,000. Read more here
Mike Kozakowski is with Citified Media and can be reached at mailto:mike@citifiedmedia.com
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