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Customs House
Uses: condo, commercial
Address: 816 Government Street
Municipality: Victoria
Region: Downtown Victoria
Storeys: 7
Condo units: (1BR, 2BR, 3BR, penthouse)
Sales status: now selling
The Customs House development encompasses a full restoration of the historic Customs House building at Wharf a... (view full profile)
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[Downtown Victoria] Customs House | Condos; commercial | 7- & 5-storeys | Built - completed in 2021


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#761 aastra

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Posted 01 June 2023 - 01:07 PM

To ASE's point, I think the Janion, the Customs House, and the final approved concept for Northern Junk represent a very good approach for refreshing and reviving things. Many Victorians still want to play the stubborn stinker against any kind of positive action, but these projects have addressed so many of the longstanding concerns re: new buildings being too tall (these buildings aren't), or architectural styles being too radically modern (these buildings aren't), or etc.

 

Methinks if we're still being stubborn stinkers even after seeing these results then we're just being stubborn stinkers for the sake of being stubborn stinkers.


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#762 Nparker

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Posted 01 June 2023 - 01:11 PM

Any likelihood of the Northern Junk compromise getting underway in the foreseeable future?
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#763 Vin

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Posted 05 June 2023 - 12:53 PM

Nope, I'm talking about the attributes. Believe me, for decades I've been talking about the attributes, but few people bother to listen.

 

There's a common theme in the controversies around projects like this one or Northern Junk: even though many Victorians claim they like the attributes of "old town" buildings, in practice they really don't seem to like those attributes. They claim they want the same kind of heights, massing, ground floor design, cladding materials, window styles, and ornamentation as the old building stock, but then they complain whenever a developer follows through on these attributes. "It's all wrong!"

It's really no wonder the governments are pushing massive and/or bulky buildings with plain cladding, blank walls, small windows, and unengaging ground floors. They'll give the people what they really want.

 

I get you. There are some residential/mixed-use buildings in Oakville, Ontario that look like a blast from the past, but they are actually relatively new buildings. Would love to see some of these in Victoria, especially for the newer ones used to replace some of the horrible one-to-two storey structures in Old Town:

 

https://www.google.c...i8192?entry=ttu

 

https://www.google.c...i8192?entry=ttu

 

Some single family homes in James Bay can be replaced by these, also in Oakville:

https://www.google.c...i8192?entry=ttu

 

https://www.google.c...i8192?entry=ttu



#764 aastra

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 08:14 PM

That unoccupied commercial unit is massive, isn't it? Methinks you could put a decent supermarket in there.


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#765 aastra

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 08:34 PM

When the Market on Yates gets the boot they could probably fit in there. Call it the Market on the Harbour.


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#766 m3m

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 08:40 PM

Not sure it works logistically. Not really a spot for a loading dock

#767 aastra

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 08:45 PM

I'm more of an idea man. I leave it to you guys to work out the details.



#768 aastra

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 08:56 PM

For example, if the harbour is right there then why couldn't the loading dock be an actual dock, on the water? Unload boats instead of trucks.

 

If customers need parking then why couldn't they be parking kayaks and paddleboards instead of hatchbacks and SUVs?

 

This is what I bring to the table. Synergistic innovation. Paradigmatic change. That's my skill set.


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#769 aastra

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 08:58 PM

Or we could forget the supermarket idea and just put a big pub in there.



#770 Nparker

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 09:07 PM

Or another street level gym or maybe bike storage.
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#771 aastra

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 09:10 PM

Cannabis store, nail salon, one of those little investment places... the possibilities are limitless. You just have to be willing to think outside the old constraints.



#772 HarrisonGreene

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Posted 27 August 2023 - 09:38 PM

I heard it’s gonna be another Starbucks franchise to compete with the one on the Wharf side.
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#773 max.bravo

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Posted 28 August 2023 - 03:13 AM

What would be really transformative for this block is one of those methadone pharmacies. Progressive af.
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#774 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 28 August 2023 - 04:22 AM

7 units for sale here on MLS.

 

203 - $1,249,000 -  1049 sq. ft. - $1190 per sq. ft.

206 - $3,150,000 - 2138 - $1473

211 - $2,295,000 - 1710 - $1342

 

303 - $1,199,000 - 970 - $1236

 

411 - $750,000 - 579 - $1295 per sq. ft.

410 - $2,399,900 - 1675 - $1432

 

PH 701 - $7,559,000 - 3531 - $2140 per sq. ft.

 

 

 

^ $18.6 million worth of listings.

 

 

 

 

On the website they have:

 

211* and 311 - 2br

209 - 2br and den

206* and 601 - 2br and family

701* - PH

 

* - also on MLS

 

 

 

 

 

Canada Post says 888 Government Street has 32 addresses.  And 521 Courtney has 25.  57 total.

 

screenshot-customshouse.ca-2023.08.28-08_37_47.png

 

https://customshouse.ca/history


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 August 2023 - 04:48 AM.


#775 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 28 August 2023 - 04:39 AM

- design architect is Paul Merrick

- eight floors for the east building, 5/6 for the west building

- some 105 units are currently envisioned

- units will be in the 500 square foot range and higher

- initial pricing estimates are $500k - $2 million

- retail will envelope the ground floor

- construction is anticipated by next year with approvals by the fall

- a public hearing for a rezoning will be required

 


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 August 2023 - 04:39 AM.


#776 Sparky

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Posted 28 August 2023 - 04:51 AM

It has been said that Victoria has a housing shortage.

 

There is no housing shortage....but there might be a money shortage. 


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#777 Barrrister

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Posted 28 August 2023 - 06:02 AM

It strikes me as a poor location. Government street in the winter is not exactly charming. Listening to seaplanes is not exactly the best nor is dealing with crowds from the cruise ships.

 

But I am sure that others would disagree but downtown Victoria has lost a lot of its luster.


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#778 Mike K.

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Posted 28 August 2023 - 06:10 AM

Yes, the project went through a few redesigns.

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Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.


#779 lanforod

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Posted 28 August 2023 - 07:41 AM

I wonder what that one bedroom would rent for. Furnished, maybe 3500/mo?



#780 max.bravo

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Posted 28 August 2023 - 08:13 AM

It strikes me as a poor location. Government street in the winter is not exactly charming. Listening to seaplanes is not exactly the best nor is dealing with crowds from the cruise ships.

But I am sure that others would disagree but downtown Victoria has lost a lot of its luster.


Couldn’t agree more. 10 years ago if I won the lottery my first purchase would be a swanky crash pad downtown Victoria. Now… not so much. Downtown is a cesspool - and I’m sure it’s not just the locals noticing.

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