42 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Project Overview: 

 

 

Reliance Properties is proposing a 35-storey mixed-use building at 1520 Blanshard Street, located just outside the North Park neighbourhood. The proposal features ground-floor retail, co-working space on the second floor, and residential units on the upper floors. The residential units include a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options. The plan also outlines a large public plaza as part of the development. 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 02 January 2025 - 06:12 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

35 storeys seems like a lot.

 

That kicks aside that 26-er planned for Esquimalt.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 02 January 2025 - 06:26 PM.

[Mike K.]

Yes, and the 32-storey tower at the final phase of Harris Green Village. Also the two 33-storey towers proposed for Colwood corners.

[Victoria Watcher]

The CALUC meeting for this development is scheduled for Monday, February 10th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Hotel Rialto (653 Pandora Avenue). 

[Barrister]

Rental or condos?

[GaryOak]

Let's go higher, glad to see that sad office building gone

[G-Man]

Wow that is tall for Vic. If Reliance can build 35 stories here surely they could get Northern Junk done in a week.

[Mike K.]

That building was formerly leased by government, I assume?

We are going to see more and more of these smaller office buildings disappear in the coming years.

[HarrisonGreene]

How much opposition will there be, I wonder.

[Citified.ca]

Here's a little recap on what is proposed, versus what has been built and is approved as far as tall buildings go.

 

Vancouver-based developer pitches Victoria's tallest building for Blanshard Street property

https://victoria.cit...treet-property/

[aastra]

--

 

 

Daily Colonist
September 19, 1973

Complete Block Development Site

A whole city block of one and two-storey buildings across from Victoria city hall is expected to be replaced soon by a $10 million commercial-residential development.

There are no major obstacles to the project and the building permit is expected to be issued today to Speed Developments Ltd., a group of Victoria businessmen.

The project will be built on the block bounded by Douglas and Blanshard, Cormorant and Pandora.

It will consist of a 14-storey residential tower containing 228 apartment suites, a 78-unit motel and a number of amenities including swimming pool, poolside restaurant and shopping mall.

The development will comply with the city's new zoning restrictions which include a height limit of 14 storeys and a lower density than in the past.

The project is to be completed by the spring of 1975.

[aastra]

I was going to make my (familiar & grating) observation about how everything comes full circle eventually by noting that the tallest building by floor count ever proposed in Victoria (38 stories) was intended for this same block all the way back in 1970. But my musty old brain doesn't remember details accurately the way it used to.* The 38-story tower was actually proposed for the block north of the HBC store. This block was where the BC Electric "streetcar station" tower was proposed all the way (way) back in 1913. Methinks I must have conflated these projects in my musty old recollection.

 

*I don't know how the rest of you old farts deal with this kind of thing. I suppose you must depend on the patience and grace of other people. Kudos to all of them for putting up with you.

[Mike K.]

$10 million in 1973 is $66 million today, for posterity.

Good luck redeveloping an entire block for that sum today.

[Mike K.]

^^that motel with the pool, would that have been built elsewhere, at City Centre Hotel on Douglas and Discovery?

[aastra]

I read it as all being slated for the 700-block between Cormorant and Pandora. But a couple of years later the vision was severely downscaled by another developer and ended up being built as the Rotherham building along Blanshard.

 

Maybe the motel concept was adopted by somebody else for Discovery Street? It seems like a curious coincidence.

[Mike K.]

Indeed.

There was also the 00s proposal from Townline, for two towers of about 18 storeys where the two new office buildings stand today.

Also, this is Reliance’s second office redevelopment. They have plans for the art deco office building on Blanshard at Fairfield, with a hotel replacing the offices and a residential tower rising above.

[2F2R]

🎼 In the year 2525 🎸🎸

[Victoria Watcher]

https://victoria.cit...st-pandora-ave/

 

[lanforod]

That's very Vancouver looking.

[Barrister]

10 out of 10 on the ugly scale.