A mid-century single-family-dwelling at on McRae Avenue at Shelbourne Street in Saanich has been moved off-site to accommodate a future condominium project, and will be re-purposed for housing at another location.

 

 

On Thursday night, house moving firm Nickel Bros. transported the single-storey home from 1647 McRae Avenue in the Shelbourne Valley to the company’s Saanich Peninsula compound (where it will await its future destination), paving the way for a six-storey, 87-suite condominium from Victoria-based Abstract Developments.

 

“As part of our development process and in a continued effort to focus on green building practices, we are always excited by the opportunity to relocate a house when it is feasible to do so,” said Tavish Rai, Abstract Developments’ Executive Vice-President. Rai continued:

 

“Even when working with the skilled Nickel Bros. team not all houses are able to be moved. Fortunately, the house previously located at 1647 McRae made for an excellent relocation candidate and will soon serve a new owner very well. What’s more, this move makes way for many new homeowners to eventually be welcomed into the Shelbourne Valley – something we’re very much looking forward to.”

 

Abstract has been a local leader in the development of environmentally-forward housing communities, and most recently has been awarded with the Green Building of the Year Award for two years running by the Victoria Residential Builders Association’s Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence (CARE) Awards of Vancouver Island.

 

1647 McRaue, a single-family-home in Saanich's Shelbourne Valley, has been relocated and will be re-purposed as a family home at another location.  Abstract Developments

The relocation of Victoria homes has been a news topic for many years, and includes a high-profile move that transported several structures from what is now the Capital Park multi-phased district in James Bay on Superior Street to a Dallas Road address, via on-road house movers and a barge. Barges have also been used to sail Victoria houses up the Inside Passage to northern Vancouver Island.

 

Abstract has not revealed its timelines for its upcoming Shelbourne Street project, although more information on the condominium (approved by Saanich council in 2022) is expected by mid-year.

 

The company, meanwhile, is nearing the construction launch for its 99-suite Central Block condominium and retail complex coming to 1075 Tillicum Road on the former location of the Gorge Pointe Pub.

 

Central Block, now selling, is comprised of studio-through-three-bedroom homes priced from the mid-$300,000s, and will complete in 2024. C

 

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