A block of Quadra Street could see a lot activity and more housing options in the coming years as another project has been pitched for the downtown stretch.
Vancouver developer Concert Properties plans to build 220 condos and 150 purpose-built rental units between two buildings on the Broughton Street property hosting The Y.
“We envision inviting the community with stunning new civic spaces that not only celebrate Victoria’s rich architectural heritage but also address its urgent need for diverse housing supply,” the developer wrote in a pre-application letter.
The plans include an 11-storey building at the corner of Quadra and Broughton streets, plus a 26-storey tower that would be across from Christ Church Cathedral. In between that tower and the church would be new public plaza that would host a water feature and a children’s play area.
Christ Church Cathedral has pitched its own housing project that would look to bring around 1,500 people to 500 units on its land.
Concert Properties’ plans envision over half an acre of landscaped outdoor publicly accessible amenities on the site, including a pedestrian path designed to connect to and highlight the church.
The proposal would have 287 resident and visitor parking stalls underground, while the developer boasts how the site is in a walkable location with several AAA bike lanes within blocks. Some ground-floor spaces in the buildings would also be dedicated for retail.
The pre-application letter noted the project adheres to the Downtown Core Area Policy (DCAP) but will need to be rezoned as the developer said the site’s permitted density is outdated.
The Y, in 2018, put the site up for sale as it looks to relocate to a new facility elsewhere in downtown.
A December update on the recreation agency’s website says efforts to find a new downtown location gained renewed energy last fall, but the cost for space remained challenging. It added Concert Properties has remained wonderfully supportive of The Y’s continued operation under the downtown lease.
READ: Victoria church wants to develop downtown property to add homes for 1,500 people