325 replies to this topic

[MarkoJ]

February 28th, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by MarkoJ, 01 March 2014 - 09:14 AM.

[MarkoJ]

March 14th, 2014.  Windows being installed....

 

 

[MarkoJ]

March 21st, 2014.

 

 

[MarkoJ]

March 28th, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MarkoJ]

April 4th, 2014.

 

 

[Mike K.]

That's it for this one and now that it's topped out it's height relative to Orchard House is somewhat comical. It's hard to believe it took so many years to approve this project.

[MarkoJ]

April 11th, 2014.

 

 

 

 

[MarkoJ]

April 18th, 2014.

 

 

 

[James Bay walker]

Is there a price list posted yet?  I chanced across one on the MLS @ $819,000 (1,098 sq.ft. -- at $746/sq.ft.), but perhaps that's an exceptional unit.

 

jbw

[timw11]

Is there a price list posted yet?  I chanced across one on the MLS @ $819,000 (1,098 sq.ft. -- at $746/sq.ft.), but perhaps that's an exceptional unit.

 

jbw

 

Most are in the 399-499 range. Lowest is 345 for a 1BR IIRC.

 

They have a promotion on right now through May 15th where they will pay your bills for a whole year (prop tax, strata, internet/cable, bc hydro, cell phone). Wonder if their sales are dragging a little.

[Mike K.]

That's the first time I've heard of such a promo.

With Sovereign still 11 units out (or roughly 30%) I wonder if that project has yet to pay for itself. It's one thing to have a building chewing through costs, but to have two?

[MarkoJ]

The Duet is doing fine in my opinion.  They are over 50% sold now and sales have actually picked up in pace on this project.  They've been running a number of promotions during the course of construction and pre-sales so I wouldn't attribute the promotion to slow sales.  I suspect they will be close to 75 to 80% sold by completion and some developers don't like 100% anyway sold on completion as they view it as money was left on the table.  

 

The Sovereign hurts as it is completed inventory and not moving at a favorable clip.  Completed inventory costs to carry (strata fees, insurance, financing, etc.). 

Edited by MarkoJ, 21 April 2014 - 09:25 AM.

[Mike K.]

No doubt several unsold units at the Sovereign will unfortunately stare straight into the Argus office building when that's completed.

 

The zoning was in place for 12 floors. Chard should have probably taken the extra floor.

[Greg]

No doubt several unsold units at the Sovereign will unfortunately stare straight into the Argus office building when that's completed.

 

Not sure about that. The third and fourth floors are sold out, as are the units on the backside for floors 5-7. Argus building doesn't help I guess, but the most affected units are already sold.

[Mike K.]

Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying that.

[MarkoJ]

April 27th, 2014.

 

 

 

[VicHockeyFan]

Duet is having a topping out party this week.

[jonny]

This development, like 200 Douglas, looks absurdly small compared to its neighbors.

 

I'm sure it will still be a nice place to live, but double or even triple the height would've been a better use for this land.

[Mike K.]

It does look incredibly small next to its neighbour, that's for sure. To think there were so many years of unnecessary drama surrounding this site.

[Mike K.]

This afternoon's topping out ceremony press release.

Chard Development ‘Tops off’ Duet, announces new Victoria project - Escher

 

May 7, 2014, Victoria, BC – Chard Development, Mayor Dean Fortin and local VIPs took part in a topping-off ceremony today at Duet in James Bay to celebrate the development reaching full height, a major milestone toward its completion in November 2014.

 

“I would like to congratulate Dave Chard and the team behind Duet on another successful project,” said Dean Fortin, Mayor, City of Victoria. “Thank you for your commitment to bringing new homes and vibrancy to Victoria for the past decade and for showing leadership with buildings like Duet that truly celebrate the neighbourhoods around them.”

 

The Duet project includes two buildings, Duet West, a four-storey building with 28 suites and Duet East, an eight-storey building with 62 suites and a 9th floor rooftop terrace available to all Duet residents with expansive views of Victoria, Beacon Hill Park and the ocean and mountains beyond. The two buildings are connected by a private courtyard and gardens that surround the property.

 

“Duet has captivated local buyers as well as those from across Canada because they can see themselves enjoying the best of Victoria from this quiet neighbourhood that’s close to everything they love about this city,” said Dave Chard, president, Chard Development. “We are very pleased to have sold more than 50 per cent of Duet to date and continue to see strong interest, particularly from people who want to sell another home during the spring or summer and move into Duet before the end of the year.”

 

Interest in one-bedroom suites at Duet has been significant, with just three remaining The majority of the remaining suites are two bedrooms with one or two bathrooms that are ideal for families, downsizers or people who appreciate a bit more space. Chard Development is offering to pay one year of household bills for purchasers who buy between now and May 15, 2014, an incentive that’s worth up to $16,000.

 

At today’s event, Chard also announced that the developer’s next project, the company’s sixth in Victoria, will launch in June. Escher is a 10-story residential development at 838 Broughton Street across from the YMCA and near the Royal Theatre. Escher will offer a wide selection of 82 modern one and two-bedroom suites as well as penthouse suites on the 9th and 10th floors and two street front live/work units. Suites will be priced from $219,000.

 

“The Chard Development team has worked closely with our architects, Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership, to design Escher with our positive outlook on an evolving downtown Victoria in mind,” said Chard. “Growth of the technology sector, new small businesses and restaurants and a vibrant arts and music scene are all contributing to an excitement and optimism about living downtown.”

 

The development received approval from the Planning and Land Use Committee and is currently pending a public hearing.

 

For Escher project pre-registration and an early preview opportunity visit www.eschervictoria.com. The new Escher presentation centre will be opening this June.

The presentation centre for Duet is located at 615 Broughton Street in downtown Victoria and is open daily from noon to 5 pm.