4059 replies to this topic

[dasmo]

Oh ya, more density is definitely more affordable! 

[Victoria Watcher]

Almost $1,400/ft. 

 

 

Electric fireplace.    

 

 

 

 

AI:

 

Yes, the City of Victoria has adopted the highest level of British Columbia's Zero Carbon Step Code, which effectively bans the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels for primary heating and hot water in most new construction as of July 2025. 

This means all new buildings, from single-family homes to towers, are required to be "zero-carbon," primarily relying on electric heat pumps and other renewable energy sources. This initiative was an acceleration of the anticipated provincial requirements and part of the city's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Key details:

• Effective Date: The requirements for new construction to be zero-carbon came into effect by July 2025.
• Scope: The ban applies to most new construction, including residential and commercial buildings. Existing buildings and retrofits are not impacted.
• Goal: Buildings account for over half of Victoria's carbon emissions, and this measure is a key part of the city's climate action plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 December 2025 - 03:10 PM.

[dasmo]

Don't forget your "$897 Monthly" maintenance fees. And no in-law suite to help pay for it all. 

[dasmo]

I can't help but think of all those Marxist UVic students who campaigned for the "missing middle".... As they get kicked out of their affordable basement suites with none to move into. 

Edited by dasmo, 08 December 2025 - 03:13 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Modo car share. Bike storage.

1 parking stall.

[dasmo]

Haha. Add another $200/month for a parkade spot. 

[Mike K.]

…primarily relying on electric heat pumps and other renewable energy sources.

An electric heat pump is not a “renewable energy source.” It’s just a machine, that can be powered by fossil fuel-based energy, and in BC, it partially is.

My wood stove, however, uses an actual renewable energy source, also called a biofuel.

You see how wonky this all is?

[Victoria Watcher]

‘So blatant’: Developer ordered to remove 2 storeys from Dartmouth building

 

Halifax councillors say accepting situation would set dangerous precedent

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...lding-9.7125640

 

 

lolz.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 March 2026 - 01:58 PM.

[Matt R.]

“You can’t prevent it, you can just document it when it happens,” Patterson said about developers breaking the rules.”

Someone building this wouldn’t respect a stop work order? It’s not a backyard shed. Maybe they didn’t issue one and just let it happen.

[Tony]

 BC Hydro Generation Mix 

 

Water (Hydroelectric): ~95% or more.

 

Other Renewables: Small amounts of wind, solar, and biomass.

 

Carbon Fuel (Natural Gas): Approximately 2%, used primarily for backup during high-demand winter months. 

[Victoria Watcher]

 

Two other land-use matters at council found a much smoother path to the next stage.

 

Council unanimously moved forward a proposal to add a three-unit rental building to a lot at 1132-1134 Empress St. The project would connect the new building to an existing heritage duplex.

 

The other project that received support was a mixed-use development proposed to replace three old single-family homes on the 100-block of Menzies Street in James Bay.

 

The four-storey project promises 43 rental residential units built above and behind a commercial component on the ground floor. The building, proposed by Mike Geric Construction, would replace homes at 131, 135 and 139 Menzies St.

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...ditions-9955903

 

 

 

131, 135 & 139 Menzies Street offers the opportunity to acquire a fully entitled multifamily development site in Victoria’s James Bay neighbourhood. The ±13,389 SF consolidated site is rezoned and development permit approved for a 4-storey, 43-unit rental apartment building with one ground-floor commercial unit, totaling approximately 29,531 SF of gross building area. The project is BP ready and remains under the previous building code, providing potential construction cost savings and allowing for near-term development. The approved unit mix includes studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units designed to support Victoria’s growing rental housing demand. Located within walking distance of Downtown Victoria, the Inner Harbour, Dallas Road waterfront, grocery stores, restaurants, and transit, the property is well positioned in one of Victoria’s most established and walkable neighbourhoods 

 

https://www.realtor....toria-james-bay

 

$3,900,000

[Kapten Kapsell]

New renderings are on Dev Tracker for 701 Toronto, the rental building that will replace the surface lot behind 350/360 Douglas St. Substantial parking is planned underground that will serve the retained buildings and the new buildings.

[Mike K.]

Thank you!

[Victoria Watcher]

That is a big parking lot asking for something.  62 years later.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 May 2026 - 11:25 PM.

[Mike K.]

Crazier still is this proposal has already spent years with the city.

[Kapten Kapsell]

The new building is set to have 90 units, including 28 2-bedrooms (5 of which also have a den) and 8 3-bedroom units (the remaining suites are 1 bedroom or 1 bedroom + den). But the total # of underground parking stalls will be 195.

[Kapten Kapsell]

GAIN Group is moving the Mercedes Benz dealership to 2959 Douglas St.

[Citified.ca]

One of the interesting elements of the Toronto Street proposal is approvals via staff, not council. Municipalities now allow this if a project aligns with the OCP and design guidelines.

 

90-unit rental complex behind James Bay's Goodacre towers to be vetted by staff, not council

https://victoria.cit...ff-not-council/

[Victoria Watcher]

 

A four-storey mixed-used development set to replace three single-family homes in James Bay has been given the go-ahead by Victoria council.

 

Council voted 6-2 to move ahead with the rezoning, variances and permits required for the development on Menzies Street across from Thrifty Foods.

 

The building proposed by Mike Geric Construction will replace homes at 131, 135 and 139 Menzies St., bringing in 43 residential rental units above commercial space on the ground floor.

 

The proposal had gone through a number of changes, including a reduction in height from five to four storeys and increased setbacks.

 

https://www.timescol...-ahead-10933561

 

 

 

I outlined my own situation above; a search of current commercial property listings shows an abundance of multi-family houses, apartment buildings and residential development sites on the market.

 

Those were scarce until two years ago. Recently approved development properties, 131-139 Menzies St. being a good example, have been left unmaintained, mostly unoccupied, boarded, derelict and now for sale. With the right incentives, those houses were rentable and salvageable.

 

https://www.timescol...reases-12327935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

131, 135 & 139 Menzies Street offers the opportunity to acquire a fully entitled multifamily development site in Victoria’s James Bay neighbourhood. The ±13,389 SF consolidated site is rezoned and development permit approved for a 4-storey, 43-unit rental apartment building with one ground-floor commercial unit, totaling approximately 29,531 SF of gross building area. The project is BP ready and remains under the previous building code, providing potential construction cost savings and allowing for near-term development. The approved unit mix includes studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units designed to support Victoria’s growing rental housing demand. Located within walking distance of Downtown Victoria, the Inner Harbour, Dallas Road waterfront, grocery stores, restaurants, and transit, the property is well positioned in one of Victoria’s most established and walkable neighbourhoods 

 

https://www.realtor....toria-james-bay

 

 

$3,900,000

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 May 2026 - 11:29 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Major developer Intracorp will be entering the Victoria market soon with 134 homes at 517-533 Chatham and 530-538 Herald St.
 

 

Old Town rental building gets unanimous thumbs-up from Victoria council

 

The plan is for a six-storey, mixed-use building fronting on Chatham Street, with a gated pocket park on Herald Street with a walkway through to Chatham.

 

https://www.timescol...ouncil-12351342

 

 

 

Coun. Susan Kim proposed a successful amendment calling for the pocket park to be left open as often as possible. “I think that space that we designate or try to designate as public should indeed be public during as many hours of the day as possible,” she said.

 

She noted that the project will eventually border the new arts district on the Capital Iron lands, which the city is hoping will draw tourists and crowds to that part of downtown.

 

Coun. Stephen Hammond, however, said he didn’t like the idea of keeping the gates open all day, noting there is a danger the new park could be used for people seeking shelter.

 

“We all know the realities in this city,” he said.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 June 2026 - 05:40 AM.