640 Michigan condo proposal seeks rezoning

By Robert Randall • Published on Friday, June 18, 2010 • Categorized as Business & the Local Economy, Construction & Land Development, Local News

David Chard’s 640 Michigan Street condo proposal had a successful date at City Hall yesterday when the Planning and Land Use Standing Committee voted in favour of having the property rezoned.

This is the latest milestone in a rezoning process that goes back five years when Chard’s development company first proposed a 67-unit condo building on a James Bay street across from Orchard House, Victoria’s tallest highrise.

Architect's model for David Chard's Michigan Street condo project. The Orchard House highrise looms at left. Photo by Robert Randall © by VibrantVictoria.ca.

The building, which has increased in height over the years to eight storeys, has ping-ponged through the development process as the building was re-massed and amenities reconsidered in response to concerns from council, the city planning department and the James Bay Neighbourhood Association.

The rezoning process for 640 Michigan has dragged on for five years. Photo by Robert Randall © by VibrantVictoria.ca.

Chard will now seek a development permit, the hearing for which will allow council to give scrutiny to the visual look of the building as opposed to a rezoning which delves into the appropriateness of the land use.

Architect's rendering of 640 Michigan. Photo by Robert Randall © by VibrantVictoria.ca.

The project will be sent to a public hearing at a later date.

Talk about the 640 Michigan Street project here on VibrantVictoria.ca’s discussion forum.

Tagged as: City of Victoria, construction, James Bay, Victoria construction

Responses to this Headline or Article

The five most recent replies to VibrantVictoria.ca's discussion forum's [James Bay] Duet | Condos | 8- & 4-storeys | Approved thread, the most relevant thread to the above headline or article:

MarkoJ

May 05, 2012 at 10:50 am

Important to note that prices do not include HST.

Baro

May 05, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Was interested in maybe getting into some pre-sale action but those prices are way out of my reach for what they're offering. I guess the low density forces higher prices.

Gary H

May 08, 2012 at 4:49 pm

Some Duet advertising action seen on our recent trip to Victoria on May 4th. We were walking to Beacon Hill Park when I spotted the bus parked on Government St near the Parliament buildings.

Image
IMG_0872 by ghoyer59, on Flickr

VicHockeyFan

May 11, 2012 at 1:16 pm

http://www.victoriacondominiumguide.com/properties?id=308954

Quote: 704 - 640 Michigan St
MLS®: 308954

For Sale: $839,000 CAD

Live at Duet, the much anticipated new condominium project located at 640 Michigan Street in James Bay. Just 1/2 block from Beacon Hill Park, 4 blocks from downtown and close to both James Bay and Cook Street Villages. One of Duet?s signature suites - The Huron is an 1126 square foot 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom & office/den with a feature 538 square foot private terrace.

That might be the most specific pricing we've seen.

Mike K.

May 11, 2012 at 1:51 pm

Some more info on Duet and a sneak peak at plans for 819 Yates.

Quote: Duet condo in James Bay a different tune for downtown developer
By Mike Kozakowski, VibrantVictoria.ca
http://vibrantvictoria.ca/local-news/duet-condo-in-james-bay-a-different-tune-for-downtown-developer/

After nearly a decade of building highrise residences throughout downtown Victoria, developer Dave Chard of Chard Development has embarked on a series of firsts with his latest endeavor, Duet.

The two-building, 90-unit, condo project to rise across the street from the City’s tallest tower, the 21-storey Orchard House, is comprised of two lowrises of eight (concrete) and four (woodframe) floors. The low-rise nature of the buildings and the woodframe construction of the four-storey building are firsts for Chard whose typical projects are built of concrete and stand about a dozen floors above street level.

The decision to step out of the downtown core with Duet, yet another first, was in response to home buyers seeking modern residences in a more traditional neighbourhood setting and the opportunity to build housing attractive to young families.

“Given the market is relatively small in Victoria we’re having to build a variety of suite sizes with Duet to reach many different buyers. We are offering a location that is desireable for those who may be looking to downsize in James Bay, want to raise a family, or want to live in the city but not in the downtown core,” Chard said. Read more>

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