A major real-estate play in Victoria’s downtown core has re-surfaced with a new vision and a drastically different massing concept nearly a decade after plans were first aired.

 

 

Parc Retirement Living under the banner of Pacific Arbour Six Ltd. has re-conceptualized its intent for 829-899 Fort Street and 846-856 Broughton Street (at Quadra Street, kitty-corner from View Towers) to deliver 337 residential units and around 8,000 square feet of ground floor retail space in the form of 10-storey, 11-storey and 27-storey towers comprised of market rental, seniors rental and condominium suites.

 

Pacific Arbour Six’s 2017 massing evolved over the span of several years into a 10-storey project with a formidable presence and site coverage, before plans quietly hit the back burner. 280 units were part of that prospect, plus upwards of 35,000 square feet of commercial space.

 

Today, the company intends to pursue approvals for what could become one of the tallest buildings in the city, and reach the loftiest heights of any structure (thus far conceived or approved) south of Fort Street. Nearby building heights presently max out at 19 storeys, although multiple proposals in the immediate area to the north have secured approvals at upwards of 32 floors, and other applications are currently before the city that could see towers green-lighted at heights in the high 20s.

 

Looking west down Fort Street from Vancouver Street towards the proposed 27-storey tower at Quadra Street.  Pacific Arbour Six

 

In partnership with architectural firm Low Hammond Rowe Architects, Pacific Arbour Six says its decision to pursue a tall structure was the product of nearly two dozens massing scenarios pursued by the development team before landing at what is now before the City.

 

“Over 20 massing scenarios were developed, assessed, refined, and finally winnowed to the current proposal, a statement that has been presented to the City of Victoria reads. “This proposal was influenced by community need and demand, City policies current and anticipated, early conversations with staff and other owners in the neighbourhood, including applying lessons learned from the previous application.”

 

The package further elaborates on the design inspiration:

 

“The project envisions a precinct with three independent buildings that share an underground parkade while expressing their own distinct but related design personality. The program for this new application includes 337 new homes in addition to a second-floor daycare and ground floor commercial space. The homes are divided into approximately one third rental (55+), and two-third family and work force-oriented strata. Significant open, plaza space is proposed between the three buildings, allowing public pedestrian access and circulation between Fort Street and Quadra Street and increasing the permeability of the site. The plaza is located between the tower and the Broughton building – accessible from both Fort St. and Quadra St. 

 

“Two major commercial units face each other across this space making them ideal for restaurant or café tenants. Additional terraces along the Quadra and Broughton frontages can support similar uses, as well as providing generous landscape opportunities to bring the Cathedral precinct park-like character across the street.

 

“The building forms themselves considered current and anticipated future development, but also the historical context of Fort Street and this transitory area between downtown and Fairfield.”

 

The unit make-up will be split between nearly 170 condominiums in a 27-storey tower at the corner of Fort and Quadra streets. An 11-storey tower will include 112 senior-oriented rental homes further west on Fort Street, and a final 10-storey tower will deliver nearly 60 homes in what appears to be a flex concept that may include rentals or condominiums, overlooking Broughton Street.

 

 

Parking will be in the form of an underground parkade with nearly 230 stalls.

 

Public amenities will include an outdoor plaza and a 4,000 square foot daycare available to an operator for a 50% below-market rent discount over a ten year period.

 

The application is currently making its rounds through the pre-planning community engagement process.

 

Pacific Arbour Six's application is depicted in colour at-centre, while approved and proposed high rise density is marked in jade.  Pacific Arbour Six

 

As mentioned earlier in this article, the eastern portion of Victoria’s downtown is expected to see a relatively significant infusion of tall towers in the years to come. Already approved close to Fort and Quadra streets are a trio of towers at the 900-block of Yates and View streets' Harris Green Village (a retail plaza currently anchored by London Drugs and Market on Yates) at heights of 27 to 32 floors. Immediately to their south, a 23-storey tower has also been approved.

 

Meanwhile proposals moving through the application process include a 26-storey condominium tower at the site of the downtown YMCA (on Broughton Street at Quadra Street through to Courtney Street) and a tower pushing well north of 20 floors is considered for lands adjacent to Christ Church Cathedral between Quadra and Vancouver streets at Rockland Avenue. Currently under construction is what will become (for how long remains to be seen) Harris Green’s tallest building, a 25-storey rental building on Yates Street at Cook street, opposite two 20 and 21-storey towers now in the early stages of construction. C

 

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