Mosaic Properties plans an early fall construction start on Jukebox Lofts, a nine storey mixed-use residential and ground floor commercial building on a long-vacant lot in the 1000-block of View Street.

Originally proposed in 2010, Mosaic redefined its vision for Jukebox multiples times while researching innovative and emerging trends in urban living spaces. The project is now before the City of Victoria for a development permit that calls for 212 studio and one bedroom units sized approximately 310 to 800 square feet with over-height ceilings from 10 to 14 feet. 11 commercial spaces fronting onto View Street range between approximately 400 to 600 square feet. 158 parking stalls will be provided.

Although unit prices are yet to be confirmed Mosaic plans to target first time buyers and the investor market. However, given the likelihood many units will be made available as rentals by purchasers, Mosaic may ultimately decide to offer units as rentals in lieu of condos. But that's a decision that is several months away according to developer Don Charity, partner at Mosaic.

The decision to rent or sell units aside, Charity, big on Jukebox's location, describes Harris Green as downtown Victoria's premier residential area with a slower paced atmosphere and a variety of retail storefronts.

"The neighbourhood is quiet by night. You've got tree lined streets. You've got amenities. Even on a rainy winter day you're minutes on foot from a full-size grocery store," Charity said.

Aerial and approximate massing of Jukebox Lofts.  Citified.ca.

Mosaic Properties is not alone in its affinity for Harris Green. Two blocks to the northwest Alpha Project Developments is in the early stages of site preparation for the 88 unit, 17-storey Legato condo tower in the 900-block of Yates Street. On a property immediately behind Alpha's site is 989 Johnson, a 17- and 15-storey, 205 unit condo proposed by Cox Developments. Also by Cox is 1075 Pandora and 1088 Johnson, a two building, 13- and 10-storey rental and condo development totalling 175 units with a planned summer construction start. Chard Development is nearing the construction start of its 209 unit, 15-storey 819 Yates rental tower on a parking lot behind the former Capital Six theatre, and at 840 Fort Street a six storey, 59 unit rental lowrise was approved earlier this year.

Despite the pending influx of new-build condos and rental apartments in Harris Green, Charity is confident Jukebox's Mosaic Properties Inc. homes, a trademarked brand of home designs that draw from Mosaic's past projects like The Reef in James Bay (inspired by a cruise ship), The Mosaic on Fort Street (a restoration of a mid-century office building into unique residences) and a new-build residential tower in Portland, Oregon by the same name, promises to set Jukebox well apart from the competition.

"We do things differently," Charity says. "When we offer a patio, it's a usable patio. Our windows open wide and stretch high from the floor. And many homes at the Jukebox have unconventional floor plans that will appeal to people who don't want to live in a box." C

 Resources: learn more about Jukebox Lofts on Citified | Discuss Jukebox Lofts on VibrantVictoria

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