302 replies to this topic

[G-Man]

Not that I love to see parking, I would assume the reduction in visitor parking would not be the same as commercial parking right? I mean if there is still a planned grocery store here. 

[Ryan Cook]

 

Looks like they're getting ready to start construction 

[aastra]

 

...esthetically I much preferred the commercial podium. Residential levels will often emphasize the horizontal dimension too strongly, whereas before there was some implied verticality re: the tall & narrow sections which extended up across the levels.

 

--

 

 

There would seem to be only a trace of that verticality now, on the corner of the podium above the word "grocery".

 

I'm pleased to say there seems to have been a further alteration to the design of that section of the podium, and my complaints above are thus no longer applicable. (If only Nparker had lived to see the day...)

 

 

[aastra]

Although in light of the "No Frills" news re: the Hudson, I'm still seriously wondering what the potential is for any kind of grocery/food market on this site. Maybe Market on Yates will relocate here when the redevelopment of the London Drugs block starts up?

[Mike K.]

Geez, I still haven’t gone in to the No Frills.

[aastra]

Join the club.

[Ryan Cook]

No Frills isn't opening at the Hudson until early 2026. Market on Yates is moving to corner of Cook & Yates when phase 1 of Harris Green Village is complete. 

[Mike K.]

Ah, ok. I didn’t realize they hadn’t opened yet.

[aastra]

 

Market on Yates is moving to corner of Cook & Yates when phase 1 of Harris Green Village is complete. 

 

Oh, dang, that will be good. So what about London Drugs?

[aastra]

 

Ah, ok. I didn’t realize they hadn’t opened yet.

 

One of these days you should come to Victoria and check things out. We could even arrange a tour for you, maybe chip in for a snack, etc.

[Ryan Cook]

When built out, that first phase (Harris Green Village) is expected to include purpose-built rental residential towers of 21 and 20 storeys, nearly half an acre of green space for a community park, a daycare and retail that will eventually house London Drugs and the Market on Yates.

[DavidSchell]

Two excavators on site, existing structures are coming down

[Doctor Detroit]

When built out, that first phase (Harris Green Village) is expected to include purpose-built rental residential towers of 21 and 20 storeys, nearly half an acre of green space for a community park, a daycare and retail that will eventually house London Drugs and the Market on Yates.

 

Perfect! I've been so worried that we'd lose a key part of local heritage: northbound traffic coming up from View Street, doing a 120-degree turn into the spacious LD parking lot via the ramp intended for southbound vehicles, a maneuver that does a round-the-pole past a no-left-turn sign.

Maybe at the new location they can make the corresponding entrance mid-block from the Cook Street side, for maximum traffic calming.

 

The crowning element will be Carradona sponsoring a bylaw requiring all shoppers to arrive by cargo bike.

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[Mike K.]

That’s a vintage act of disobedience.

[Mike K.]

Construction is starting here. From the Province:

People in Victoria will have access to more than 500 new rental homes, retail spaces and a public plaza, as construction begins on a major redevelopment at the corner of Douglas and Caledonia streets.

“This big project is more than just tall buildings. It’s about creating attainable homes, opportunities and spaces where people can connect and thrive,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “Through meaningful investments and partnerships, we are helping build a stronger, more inclusive downtown Victoria for everyone who lives and works in, and visits, the community.”

On the site of the former Capital City Centre Hotel at 1961 Douglas St. and 710 Caledonia Ave., the redevelopment will provide a total of 505 rental homes in three concrete highrise towers. A plaza on the southeastern corner will provide a variety of community amenities, such as office spaces, a child care facility and a grocery store.

“This development marks another significant step forward in the city’s priority to increase housing choices for Victoria residents,” said Marianne Alto, mayor of Victoria. “I’m excited construction is underway on a project that invests in the future of our evolving community with 500 new homes and more amenities and services downtown.”

One of the towers will be owned by the Province, through BC Housing, and will include 133 units, with 20% offered at below-market rental rates to help more people find housing that meets their budgets. The remaining homes in the development will be offered at market rates and will be owned and managed by Chard. These homes will contribute to a stronger rental supply and a more vibrant, inclusive downtown community.

“We’re excited to continue providing much-needed housing to Victoria in partnership with BC Housing on this mixed-use project at Douglas and Caledonia,” said Byron Chard, president and CEO, Chard. “This project reflects our shared commitment to expanding housing options and delivering new community amenities to meet the needs of this growing area.”

The entire project is the result of a partnership between BC Housing and Chard to maximize the redevelopment potential of a number of properties owned by the two parties. The 133-unit rental tower in this development is being supported by $73 million in construction financing and a grant of $8 million through BC Housing’s BC Builds program.

“People in Victoria deserve housing that’s secure, attainable and close to the services they rely on,” said Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill. “We’re making that happen faster by investing in projects like this Douglas-Caledonia redevelopment that deliver real results for middle-income earners and families.”

These homes are part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 93,600 homes delivered or underway, including nearly 4,000 homes in Victoria.

[Victoria Watcher]

One of the towers will be owned by the Province, through BC Housing, and will include 133 units, with 20% offered at below-market rental rates to help more people find housing that meets their budgets. The remaining homes in the development will be offered at market rates and will be owned and managed by Chard.

 

 

I don't get it.

 

500 homes, and only 20% of the 133 are subsidized?  ie. 26 units?

[aastra]

 

“This big project is more than just tall buildings. It’s about creating attainable homes, opportunities and spaces where people can connect and thrive,

 

After several thousand years it's good to know we're finally constructing large buildings for reasons instead of just for the heck of it. 

[Victoria Watcher]

The 133-unit rental tower in the development is being supported by $73 million in construction financing and a grant of $8 million through the B.C. Housing Builds program, according to the ministry.

 

[...]

 

The B.C. Housing tower will have 54 studio apartments, 34 one-bedrooms and 15 three-bedroom units.

 

 

https://www.timescol...wntown-11378830

 

 

 

 

 

$81m/133 units =

 

$609,000 per unit.  54 of which are studios.

 

Good job, Lisa Helps.  

[aastra]

Fingers crossed that the overall look and vibe of this project ends up being better than average for the current era.

[aastra]

Can't wait until 2029 to see it finished. 

 

Should we start a pool re: which VV forumers won't live to see it? Sorry to seem ghoulish but it is October after all.