Downtown Victoria’s Mod pre-sale condominium has reached 50% sold-out status as the 15-storey tower begins its rise along Cook Street at View Street.

 

The 129-suite Harris Green project’s one and two-bedroom layouts span between 445 and 762 square feet, plus balcony options at up to 73 square feet in area. Select units also include parking in the form of a multi-level underground parkade.

 

Developer Dan Robbins, partnered with veteran Victoria developer Fraser McColl, says Mod’s concrete and steel construction – with ocean and mountain view options likely to remain protected from future nearby construction activity – have been popular with first-time purchasers, downsizers and even the investor market.

 

“Mod’s focus on highly desirable one and two-bedroom floorplans with utility and efficiencies in mind has attracted end-user purchasers who value steel and concrete construction and floor-to-ceiling windows,” Robbins said. “Additionally, in light of rising operating costs, our approach to delivering a project with low post-construction overhead has attracted the investor market which prefers controlled costs and fewer amenities to maintain.”

 

Although the project does not currently have a presentation centre, Mod’s representatives schedule over-the-phone, via email or in-person meetings with prospective purchasers to discuss development details and walk individuals through project specifics. This move was a conscious one, says Robbins, at a time when real-estate prices on the south Island set off on a trajectory that rapidly impacted affordability.

 

Referencing the latest sales data from the Victoria Real-Estate Board, the average condominium suite on the re-sale market is $650,000. Robbins notes that “of the inventory remaining for purchase at Mod, approximately 40% of homes are priced from the mid-$400,000s, well below this average.”

 

Mod’s two-bedroom suites feature high-end Kitchenaid appliances like a 36” refrigerator, a 30” wall oven, a 24” dishwasher, a desirable 30” induction cooktop and a Whirlpool over-the-range microwave-fan combo.

 

One-bedroom homes are fitted out with best-of-make sleek appliances like a 24” Whirlpool refrigerator and 24” induction cook-top, a Jennair 24” wall oven, a Frigidaire over-the-range microwave and a 24” Kitchenaid dishwasher.

 

24” space-saving Samsung washer and dryer combos, meanwhile, round out the appliance packages of all layouts.

 

Flooring material is a white oak engineered hardwood chosen for its low maintenance aesthetic and durability around children and pets. Bathrooms are fitted with tile floors. Quartz countertops add a touch of flair to kitchens and baths with cabinetry available in two finishes, one a riviera oak presenting as a light palette, the other a rich and deep-toned walnut.

 

Less common among new-builds are true floor-to-ceiling windows, a sought after design element incorporated by Mod’s architectural firm, NSDA, that has a lengthy repertoire of landmark residential towers. Large glass walls provide ample natural light to every home, and frame expansive million-dollar views of the south Island.

 

Amenities will be available within a fourth floor entertainment and recreation space, helping keep maintenance costs low and strata fees in check. There is also a dog wash station for pet owners, and parking stalls are electric vehicle charging-ready.

 

Robbins says Mod’s location at the southeast corner of Victoria’s downtown has uniquely situated the building where it is likely to stand out among its current nearby neighbours and future developments. At 15-storeys high, condominiums from at least the sixth or seventh floor up should maintain their vistas towards the south and east under the City of Victoria’s projected densification patterns.

 

At the eastern gateway to downtown Victoria and the Fairfield neighbourhood (home to the picturesque Dallas Road waterfront), Mod residents will have access to ample public transit connections for destinations throughout the Capital, cycling infrastructure via Victoria’s protected bicycle network, and the walkable downtown core at arm’s reach.

 

The ground level will be comprised of retail spaces, one of which is envisioned as a coffee shop or cafe overlooking the intersection of View and Cook streets. Robbins and McColl have fielded significant interest in the ground-oriented storefronts, and are working with operators to bring desirable retail amenities to Mod’s residents and the community at-large.

 

With construction now well underway, residential occupancy is targeted for mid-to-late 2023.

 

To learn more about homeownership opportunities at Mod, and to view the project’s sales website, click here. C

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