117 replies to this topic

[HB]

An interesting part in the photos is that the foundation walls of the building were kept and used as a retaining wall. the Arbutus tree was also saved.

[dasmo]

I see that! Interesting share HB.

[G-Man]

In case you didn't see my blog post in the Online Media thread I thought I would link it here as well. Would love to hear some more opinions on this and more thoughts on how it could still be saved!

 

http://sidewalkingvi...of-perfect.html

[dasmo]

In case you didn't see my blog post in the Online Media thread I thought I would link it here as well. Would love to hear some more opinions on this and more thoughts on how it could still be saved!

http://sidewalkingvi...of-perfect.html

Great observations G-Man. The exclusion of the outside is the key. It connects better to VicWesr than its own surroundings. It's great on so many levels but this I agree is its flaw now. Perhaps in 95 it made sense since its surroundings were flee bag motels but now this needs a fix. It needs connection.

[G-Man]

I hadn't thought of that but you are right it definitely feels more connected to the Railyards than to even the townhouses across Gorge Road!

[Mike K.]

That's related to the issue of Gorge Road rising above the Selkirk property. To have built the Gateway office building and the seniors residences with street level component along Waterfront Crescent and Gorge Road would have required quite a bit more money with very little guarantee that there would have been any demand for street level retail there.

 

And then on the other side of Jutland along Gorge you have the Legion and 415 Gorge Rd E, neither of which are part of Selkirk. When/if those buildings are redeveloped that will provide an opportunity to engage the Gorge Road side of the block.

[grantpalin]

Is there any future change possible for Selkirk? It's a nice area, but seems to me incomplete; if it were somehow possible, I feel that the area could be enhanced by including and redeveloping the adjacent properties, adding residential density to the Selkirk neighbbourhood.

 

I was considering renting a condo in 365 Waterfront, but don't think I will for reasons, one of those being that there's no vibrancy during evenings or weekends. There's nothing there for residents except Glo and the fitness centre. Been reading through this thread and the linked pages, and unless things have changed, it doesn't seem a super appealing area to spend time in, other than just being at home. The adjacent part of Gorge Road isn't exactly exciting either.

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Edited by grantpalin, 20 March 2022 - 08:22 PM.

[Mike K.]

It’s very much a quiet residential node come evening. But it’s super accessible via bike and walking.

In time those parking lots will be redeveloped, for sure.

[grantpalin]

It’s very much a quiet residential node come evening. But it’s super accessible via bike and walking.

In time those parking lots will be redeveloped, for sure.

Admittedly I'm not a nightlife type of person, so evening amenities are less of an issue to me. That said, weekend-friendly amenities such as a small grocery (for at least the essentials) and a cafe or similar (be it Starbucks or something else) would go a long way to making the area a little more livable and lively. Looking on Google Maps, those parking lots are screaming to be built over, what an inefficient use of the space.

[AllseeingEye]

We live across the water and a few blocks west just off the Selkirk (Road) neighborhood - the area on both sides of the waterway is quiet and as you say on "your" side of the Gorge amenities are harder to come by. The area is transitioning, albeit slowly. Lots of new housing being built and new proposals pending but I think they'll have to come to fruition along with the warm bodies that will live in them, before you see additional amenities follow.

 

Fortunately on the Victoria/Esquimalt side of the water we have one of the best Thai restaurants literally three blocks from our front door in addition to a cool-vibe bakery, an old school barber shop, and a very popular Chinese take out place.

 

I think Jutland and area is coming along but it'll require some patience yet. That said "Gorge-Burnside" also - IMO - has and is taking on a disproportionate share of housing for the homeless for the broader region, so much so that a VV poster noted that trend in that neighborhood (specifically Gorge Rd & Washington) a few months ago and cited it as the main reason why he moved to the Colwood Corners area.

[Barrrister]

Might as well put even more housing for the homeless since that will consolidate services better. Should be able to easily build housing for about another 700 to 850

[Mike K.]

Admittedly I'm not a nightlife type of person, so evening amenities are less of an issue to me. That said, weekend-friendly amenities such as a small grocery (for at least the essentials) and a cafe or similar (be it Starbucks or something else) would go a long way to making the area a little more livable and lively. Looking on Google Maps, those parking lots are screaming to be built over, what an inefficient use of the space.

The walk to Save-Ons isn’t so bad. It’s also very nice.

[Casual Kev]

I used to live in the Railyards, and I don't think I ever stuck around Selkirk. Despite being a pleasant area it's mostly a pass through for Galloping Goose users. Not much to do on foot but if you drive you're of course close to everything.

[Matt R.]

I used to live across from this when it was being redeveloped but never spent much time there. A quick look at a map shows lots of coffee shops and even a pub or two within walking distance. Does it all shut down at 5 pm except for Glo?

[AllseeingEye]

Yeah Jutland is all corporate/government offices so after 4:30 pm M - F, and on weekends, its pretty quiet save for the waterfront walkway/Selkirk trestle and Glo. The Jutland waterside area on weekends particularly is very busy with walkers, cyclists, kayakers, etc.

 

Just to clarify because I think grantpalin may be using the terms interchangeably - Selkirk Street/neighborhood is physically across the Gorge waterway from what is actually pictured above, i.e. the Jutland Road/office area.

 

By "Selkirk" (s)he may have been referring to the trestle - but the Selkirk "neighborhood", where we live, is actually across the water and to the west/north west of Banfield Park. Selkirk Street eventually connects up to Tillicum Rd, again generally to the south and across the waterway from the Jutland Road offices shown above.

Edited by AllseeingEye, 22 March 2022 - 09:58 AM.

[Matt R.]

I loved living on Raynor avenue, wish we could have bought a house there way back when.

[Mike K.]

The Jutland area is officially called Selkirk Waterfront, which can be confusing if talking about Selkirk Street.

[AllseeingEye]

What was a little confusing was GP's use of the term above "Selkirk neighborhood" which is what I/we live in and how it is referred to by locals - yes the Selkirk Waterfront is not the same thing, and that distinction is the tendency made by us local yokels