A proposal to build a 31-unit commune in Victoria’s Fernwood neighbourhood has been nixed, according to the project’s founder and managing director.

 

The three-storey, four building Fernwood Urban Village (FUV) co-housing complex – bordered by North Park, Chambers and Grant streets – would have created self-contained strata-titled residences ranging from just over 300 square foot studios to 1,200 square foot family-sized units. A series of amenity rooms would have provided guest quarters, a fitness facility, shared cooking facilities and even an art space.

 

Bill McKechnie of Humbolt Construction and Design Co. issued a statement on FUV’s website confirming that “financial and legal challenges” have forced the cancellation of the project. McKechnie also went on to say that all related FUV activities and events “have been suspended.”

 

The City of Victoria granted rezoning approvals for the concept in 2014 after nearly a decade of planning. Since then work had focused on architectural drawings and engineering plans, with multiple parties having expressed interest in buying into the concept. C