79 replies to this topic

[aastra]

 

Esquimalt Road at Head Street: 26 stories, baby!

 

And the 900-block of Pandora backing onto Mason Street is also suddenly a wonderfully appropriate spot for a tall highrise building.

 

These things are now indisputably right and true, despite every beating we received to the contrary over the entirety of our lives up until this moment.

[Nparker]

Buildings of this height should always have been allowed.

[aastra]

Anyway, you get what I'm saying. But... if people want a tall highrise on the Carlton Club site then go for it. There would be outstanding views from there, no doubt. Maybe that will turn into a built-up district eventually. If the roundhouse ever gets redeveloped then there could be quite an impressive flock of buildings running from Vic West into Esquimalt.

[Nparker]

I'm just happy to see the arbitrary 15 storey height limit finally being challenged.

Edited by Nparker, 31 October 2023 - 11:12 PM.

[Mike K.]

The density won’t change at this proposal, but the massing can. The community can choose tall and slim, or wide and bulky. The developer cites View Towers in that article as a built form they’re trying to avoid.

With todays cost of land and construction, you need to hit certain density targets to make it all work, and while providing public amenities.

[HarrisonGreene]

If approved in its current form, this project will set a good precedent for that area. 

[Mike K.]

Sidewalking Victoria covers this project’s unique above-ground parking design: https://www.sidewalk...-parking-spaces

[Mike K.]

Community meeting scheduled for February 3rd.

RSVP: christine at getcircle dot ca

 

[Nparker]

This should be a slam-dunk for approval, but I bet the NIMBYs come out with sharpened pitchforks.

[Mike K.]

It sounds like this will be going before council in early March.

 

Any residents of Esquimalt here, or future residents who have homes under construction, who want to comment on this development should consider doing so sooner rather than later. Council can be emailed at: https://www.esquimal...cillor-profiles

[Nparker]

I have to wonder if NIMBYism will kill this proposal?

[Mike K.]

Not if people write in to let council know they support it.

[Nparker]

Not if people write in to let council know they support it.

If I lived in Esquimalt I would voice my support.

[aastra]

The more I look at this one the more I think it belongs on upper Douglas Street somewhere rather than in Esquimalt.

[Nparker]

Have you been to upper Douglas Street recently? I wouldn't want to invest my condo money there.

[AllseeingEye]

The more I look at this one the more I think it belongs on upper Douglas Street somewhere rather than in Esquimalt.

 

Curious, why? We're on the other side of the muni in the Selkirk neighborhood a block off the water - Esquimalt is changing rapidly; there are developments happening all over the place either under way, approved or pending approval, in fact I can see two cranes from one of our second floor north/west facing windows.

 

This is not close to our parents' Esquimalt circa 1972. I think this tower if approved will fit in nicely. And it will certainly be an improvement over what's there now. There are currently four major projects underway within a 2 minute drive of our place and another just past the Tillicum/Craigflower intersection in the early proposal stage. Unlike say Oak Bay which seemingly squeals like a pig any time any developer proposes anything especially it its higher than I am tall, Esquimalt generally is quite open to densifying and new in-fill projects particularly.

[Mike K.]

ASE, you should definitely write in. Every opinion counts in this one, there are no preconceived opinions. Council will be responding to the community here.

[Mike K.]

Public input has now ended, about 20-21 in favour, 11-12 not in favour.

[Mike K.]

Staff recommend approval.

[Mike K.]

Council voted to push their decision to the 18th.

This means all seven councillors should preside over the decision.