Posted 27 August 2021 - 06:00 AM
Here’s a press release from Reliance!
Victoria, BC (August 27, 2021) – Reliance Properties with architect D’Ambrosio Studio submitted a rezoning pre-application this week for the Capital Iron Lands, becoming the first developer to respond to Victoria's 3.0 plan that calls for an Arts & Innovation District in the north end of downtown. Reliance’s master plan includes incorporating the site’s heritage into a vibrant waterfront community with high-value jobs, institutions, homes, and public amenities, plus a proposed new home for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
“At almost seven acres, Capital Iron Lands is one of Victoria’s largest development opportunities and we look forward to collaborating with the city and local communities to make the Arts & Innovation District a diverse hub of arts, culture, and technology,” said Jon Stovell, president and CEO of Reliance Properties, a company that has been immersed in Victoria for more than 10 years.
Reliance bought Capital Iron Lands last year. The site is mostly undeveloped with only 93,000 square feet of built commercial and retail space, including three registered heritage buildings. Its popular namesake tenant, Capital Iron, occupies approximately half of the built space.
The rezoning application calls for a mix of uses – heavy and light industrial including marine-related uses and manufacturing, retail, commercial, new public open spaces, plus high-tech, arts and cultural uses. As its amenity contribution to the community, Reliance proposes providing land for a new art gallery to be built, owned, and operated by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV).
“For many years, we have been actively searching for a new building for the AGGV," said Janyce Ronson, AGGV acting director. “Working with Reliance Properties provides us with the possibility of that opportunity, subject to continued support from funders, donors and the community. We chose to work with Reliance because of their record of supporting visual arts in BC, in addition to their support of other important community initiatives in Victoria.”
“The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is an anchor cultural institution in the region,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. “There have long been calls for it to move downtown. I can’t think of a better place than in the newly created Arts and Innovation District. I look forward to seeing this exciting rezoning opportunity come before Council.”
Reliance has long supported arts and culture in BC, including providing the single-largest donation to Emily Carr University of Art & Design, and more recently, commissioning globally renowned artist Douglas Coupland to paint a mural around an entire Vancouver residential rental tower. In Victoria, Reliance recently became the co-title sponsor of the annual PGA Open, with funds supporting the local Salvation Army.
“We are passionate about contributing to arts, culture and community,” said Stovell. “Capital Iron Lands is located along 400-feet of navigable water frontage, making it a unique, attractive, and exciting hub for arts and innovation.”
Reliance is a multi-award-winning developer, including winning regional and national awards for its adaptive reuse of The Janion in Victoria. Its heritage portfolio also includes the recently rezoned Northern Junk site, 31 Bastion Square, and the BC Power Commission building.
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.