36 replies to this topic

[dasmo]

I like the notion of the Hamlet and European village design. I despise clear cut cookie cutter subdivisions so this looks like it has hope to me. Anyone got the inside scoop on pricing?

[Bernard]

Here is the report of my visit to the site last Thursday.   I was impressed with what I saw

 

I think it would be VV organized a site visit to Elkington and to generally see what has been done in the rest of the South Shawnigan area.

[D.L.]

Hey that's a great idea! We could also do some four-by-fouring in the area as well :-D

[VicHockeyFan]

They have started a radio campaign on CFAX.

[VicHockeyFan]

https://www.facebook...228797823979675

 

 

 

[Victoria Watcher]

The Malahat Forest—formerly known as the historic Elkington Lands—stands as a true crown jewel of the Malahat region.

 

This remarkable property spans over 300 acres of pristine, protected forest, offering an unparalleled opportunity to shape your dreams into reality.

 

Embrace the quiet majesty of towering evergreens, the serenity of nature’s symphony, and the pure air of this extraordinary land. Whether envisioning a legacy estate, a private retreat, or a carefully planned community development, this property offers possibilities as vast as the landscape itself. For those seeking a forever home, imagine crafting a residence that will stand for generations—a sanctuary nestled within nature, where birdsong replaces city noise and starlit skies stretch endlessly above. Revel in the solitude, the privacy, and the rich ecological diversity that makes The Malahat Forest such a rare find. Alternatively, with zoning that allows for subdivision, this property offers an exciting investment opportunity for those looking to develop thoughtfully within this protected environment. Serviced by community sewer and water infrastructure managed by the CVRD, this phased strata lot ensures convenience while maintaining a commitment to sustainable living. Whatever your vision—be it a single spectacular estate or a series of curated homes that blend harmoniously with the landscape—this land offers a canvas for creation limited only by your imagination. Opportunities like this are few and far between. The Malahat Forest invites you to write the next chapter of its story—one of timeless beauty, possibility, and enduring legacy. 

 

$4,774,900

 

https://www.realtor....-malahat-proper

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 January 2026 - 09:15 PM.

[Mike K.]

Interesting. There is this small subdivision of closely situated houses out that way, like in the proverbial middle of nowhere-ish (I say ish because it’s not like its way west of Shawnigan Lake along logging roads, but it’s kind of a dead end community that reaches a good distance south where there is no secondary route in or out).

They initially sold for around $900k for homes in the 1.5-2k size range and all fetched buyers. A couple homes may have been much bigger. Very odd location, though, for an otherwise compact suburban-style layout for SFD density. Here’s the spot: https://maps.app.goo...LGtfwr5?g_st=ic

I recall the Elkington project moving forward like 15 years ago before it stalled out. That area sure is nice, but it’s not exactly mature forestland.

[Mike K.]

It looks like a home there has gone up for sale: https://realtor.ca/r...ialsharelisting

That’s a great price considering what they had been selling for a couple of years prior, at much less square footage.

The listing does say “short commute to Langford.” Google says 24-35 minutes on average on a weekday AM, leaving at 7:30. To Victoria it’s 40 minutes to 1:10.

[Victoria Watcher]

It looks like a home there has gone up for sale: https://realtor.ca/r...ialsharelisting

That’s a great price considering what they had been selling for a couple of years prior, at much less square footage.

The listing does say “short commute to Langford.” Google says 24-35 minutes on average on a weekday AM, leaving at 7:30. To Victoria it’s 40 minutes to 1:10.

 

Ya, that's not bad, 3,300 sq. ft. for under $1M.  2022 build.

 

11,625 lot.

 

I wonder how direct the access is to good trails.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 January 2026 - 09:05 AM.

[Mike K.]

It’s -very- good price. But you also have no privacy, with such an odd ball high density ring of SFDs. I’d be expecting an acreage out there, not a pocket neighbourhood Langford style.

Nearby homes on larger acreage are selling for not much more, so $1M might even be a bit high for the market, when you can buy just under 2k square feet on 2.5 acres for $1.1M. Granted, the home for $1.1 may be new but it’s not all that comparable to the $1 listing. Anyway.

[dasmo]

They were sold on a dream of an entire community. With denser community living surrounded by shared natural areas, workshop space, work and recreation facilities etc. The original plans had an elegant European style village plan if I recall. This is a remnant of that broken dream. That listing looks like an 80s urban Saanich special was teleported there. Hard sell IMO. Can’t rent the suite to a uni student to pay the mortgage out there.

[Victoria Watcher]

Seems these things never work out.

 

Bamberton.

Royal Bay.

 

Not sure if Silverspray ever got its amenities.

 

 

2013:

 

 

Michael Thornton has waited nearly two decades to bring people out to Possession Point in East Sooke to show off the heart of his Silver Spray development.

 

The Vancouver developer’s dream for the controversial project is finally taking shape as work starts on the first oceanfront cottage showhome and a series of decks along the prime oceanfront land.

 

“It’s taken 17 years to be an overnight success,” Thornton said while showing off the gem of his 70-hectare Silver Spray lands. “This is going to be spectacular.”

A seven-hectare portion, called Sooke Point at Silver Spray, will eventually feature 95 oceanfront or oceanview cottages.

 

Thornton’s company, Home Equity Developments is backed by a group of more than 1,400 investors. It bought the land in 1996 from Ross and Wendy Cabeen for just under $4 million.

 

Thornton envisioned an entire community with a resort hotel, homes and various amenities, but the project ran into hurdles at every turn.

 

“It’s been 17 years worth of hopes, dreams, angst and patience and riding the wave of the world economy,” Thornton said, adding he’s spent too much to count over the years on development, legal and other costs.

 

The overall development initially called for 274 homes, a lodge, golf course and marina.

 

 

https://www.timescol...nderway-4587987

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 January 2026 - 10:11 AM.

[dasmo]

Don’t forget the Roundhouse. Same playbook. Sell for a premium based on premium amenities that are promised. Then after the sales are done the promises need revisions in order to sell more premium products based on promises.

I have the utmost respect for Le Fevre. He completed the Railyards. A little later than planned but he followed through on his promise.

[Mike K.]

They were sold on a dream of an entire community. With denser community living surrounded by shared natural areas, workshop space, work and recreation facilities etc. The original plans had an elegant European style village plan if I recall. This is a remnant of that broken dream. That listing looks like an 80s urban Saanich special was teleported there. Hard sell IMO. Can’t rent the suite to a uni student to pay the mortgage out there.

This little subdivision came many years later and I don’t think, but may be wrong, was part of the original Elkington project. This one popped up unannounced. I looked at lots up there when they were still selling, circa 2022.

[Mike K.]

Don’t forget the Roundhouse. Same playbook. Sell for a premium based on premium amenities that are promised. Then after the sales are done the promises need revisions in order to sell more premium products based on promises.

I have the utmost respect for Le Fevre. He completed the Railyards. A little later than planned but he followed through on his promise.

Technically, Roundhouse has never sold anything. Bayview was developed according to plan, and its last phase is coming now. Roundhouse was a separate development but held by the same developer as Bayview, which has its own amenities.

What ended up happening, though, is a lot of other projects sold with the prospect of amenities at Roundhouse worked into the sales pitch.

[dasmo]

Bayview was sold on the Roundhouse. It was a huge part of the sell. At least initially.

[Victoria Watcher]

The retail part of Roundhouse will simply never materialize. Nobody is building retail anymore. Even food stores have slowed.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 January 2026 - 03:48 PM.