A rendering of Doral Forest Park, a 242-unit condominium proposal along the 4700-block of Elk Lake Drive in Saanich. In planning since 2013, a 2020 redesign could deliver an affordable homeownership component within a five-storey building (at left). A 199-unit tower rising to 11-storeys will span along the tree line of Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. © Mike Geric Construction
ESQUIMALT – A highrise condominium planned for Esquimalt Road at Head Street has taken its first step forward today and represents a major milestone in bringing an urgent care medical clinic to the municipality.
On May 22 demolition crews arrived at 899 Esquimalt Road to begin deconstructing the two-storey Super Low Food Market commercial and residential complex that had served the community as a corner store for generations.
Last fall, West Vancouver-based Lexi Development Group received approvals from Esquimalt council to build a 12-storey, 66-unit condominium – dubbed Pacific House – that will rise nine levels above Esquimalt Road and cascade a further three levels along the steep grade of Head Street to Wollaston Street. The primary ground floor tenant is expected to operate as a 3,600 square foot healthcare centre the developer is promoting as a driving element behind the project.
SAANICH – Seven years into a rezoning pursuit near Beaver and Elk lakes, developer Mike Geric Construction has fine-tuned a condominium proposal slated to add nearly 250 residences to Elk Lake Drive.
Known as Doral Forest Park, the project was originally conceived in 2013 as a cluster of lowrise buildings with a density similar to the present-day concept.
The 2020 vision, however, represents an entirely new concept for the site under the direction of Victoria-based Franc D’Ambrosio Architecture + Urbanism. The firm’s architectural statement was recently revealed and is now comprised of two buildings – an 11-storey mid-rise and a five-storey lowrise – with the latter positioned as a key element of Saanich’s emerging housing affordability strategy through an offering for 43 below-market ownership opportunities.
The Capital Region’s first province-run cannabis store could be coming to a Saanich shopping complex.
The district’s elected officials have forwarded an application from the Liquor Distribution Branch on to a public hearing prior to permitting a BC Cannabis Stores outlet within the Blanshard Street side of Uptown Shopping Centre adjacent to the mall’s Steve Nash Fitness World gym.
VICTORIA – The Salient Group is seeking a text amendment to the zoning for 1244 Wharf Street – a five-storey commercial structure most recently known for the defunct Guild restaurant and as the long-time home of Pacific Design Academy – prior to undertaking restorative work on the nearly 120-year-old landmark constructed in phases starting in the early 1880s.
With more than half of the building sitting empty due to low demand for its commercial spaces, the application would allow the company to utilize it predominantly as a boutique hotel in a level below the Yates Street frontage (in one of two below-street levels on the harbour side made possible by the steep slope along the building’s north face) and in levels above the ground floor. No additional storeys would be requested as part of the application.
The City of Victoria has formally announced the winner of a development competition for a City-owned parcel known as the Apex Site on Douglas Street at Humboldt Street.
Telecom giant TELUS with local partner Aryze Developments were selected out of six submissions received in 2017.
The design of the office and retail project, known as TELUS Ocean, has yet to be unveiled although the partners confirm 250 TELUS employees will work out of the building and additional spaces will be provided for restaurant and commercial tenants. An innovation centre will also be a part of the project.
TELUS has embarked on several high profile real-estate development plays in recent years, including TELUS Garden in Vancouver and TELUS Sky in Calgary. TELUS Ocean, according to the development team, will be designed by a world-class architectural firm.
Vancouver’s Reliance Properties has added several acres of downtown land to its Victoria holdings following the acquisition of Capital Iron’s properties along Store Street at Chatham Street.
The developer is known for the restoration of The Janion Hotel into residences and for plans to restore the Northern Junk properties at the eastern approach to the Johnson Street Bridge.
Completion of Vancouver Island’s tallest building, the 25-storey Hudson Place One (HP1) condominium tower at The Hudson District, is days away as crews finalize the building’s interiors.
Purchasers of HP1’s 176-suites have begun inspection walkthroughs prior to formally taking possession.
HP1 is the fourth tower to rise at the District. A fifth and final tower, Hudson Place Two, is currently envisioned to stand 23-storeys tall and include a mix of rental residences and commercial spaces.
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