Address:
The Apex Site property on Douglas Street at Humboldt Street in downtown Victoria, also known as the 'Budget Lot,' is the focus of a redevelopment effort known as TELUS Ocean, an innovation and employment hub for 250 TELUS employees, ground level retail space, and six levels of leasable office space.
The City of Victoria-owned Apex Site property was the subject of an early 2017 bidding process between six proponents. The City of Victoria opted to proceed with a development planning process and a land sale that ultimately saw partners Aryze Developments and TELUS co-operate on the TELUS Ocean concept.
Click here to learn how to keep your data current and how to upgrade to a Citified Plus project profile.
So would you say the overall vibe is generally light or dark? Blue-ish or grey-ish?
Methinks I would prefer lighter and/or the impression of a bit of colour rather than the other way.
So would you say the overall vibe is generally light or dark? Blue-ish or grey-ish?
Methinks I would prefer lighter and/or the impression of a bit of colour rather than the other way.
Dark and blue-ish.
That's not my style but the saving graces are the high quality glass and bright reflections. Also the dots and squiggles on the glass add some interest and character.
Okay, I went and had a look for myself. The character of the glass and the screen pattern (or whatever we'd call it) is quite a bit different from what I was expecting based on the renders. Methinks on a bright blue day it could look very bright but on dark winter days I'm expecting it to be rather gloomy. Those cream/beige strips also seem very different from what I was expecting. I thought they would be really punchy in terms of their colour and/or gloss and overall effect, maybe a strong orange or something, but they actually seem quite subdued.
Anyway, I'm not necessarily criticizing it. I'm just saying I was expecting different. But whatever the case, it looks like the Douglas Street side will end up being a striking/unique architectural statement for downtown Victoria.
However, some of the lower panels on the laneway side are also installed, and I can't say I'm thrilled about them. They seem to have a very matte finish. Overall I was expecting even the plain panels on that face to have way more gloss. But it's just the lowest section so far, so it's hard to tell how it's all going to come together.
Methinks this design would really suffer if there's any drabness to any of the finishes. Everything about it should seem slick, modern, and glossy. But based on what we're seeing I'm not so sure that will be the case. This concern was on my mind from the first moment we saw the image of the rear corner (shown below), and unfortunately I think my initial impression was might have been justified:
...whatever the case, it looks like the Douglas Street side will end up being a striking/unique architectural statement for downtown Victoria.
I'm going to give them a point for the "ocean" metaphor. As you're walking along on Douglas there's a lot going on re: the shifting reflections playing off all of the angled faces.
2025 will be a big year for downtown Victoria's stock of rental apartments, Citified data shows
Nearly 700 units in downtown-proper and just under 800 when adding the periphery will complete...
TELUS proposal could deliver rental housing to Saanich’s Gordon Head neighbourhood
98-unit rental building, proposed in partnership with Aryze Developments, would also serve as a TELUS network facility.
Telus Ocean's construction start launches office space boom in downtown Victoria
Nearly 350,000 square feet of modern office space could be added to downtown Victoria over several years.
$100 million TELUS Ocean proposal for Douglas Street at Humboldt Street headed to public hearing
Environmentally-leading office tower will go before council on December 9th.
Plans for downtown Victoria's $100 million Telus Ocean tower tweaked as approvals process continues
Capital's most environmentally-forward construction project, ever, is envisioned as "an iconic building for an iconic site."
10-storey TELUS Ocean concept revealed as "alluring lantern" for Douglas at Humboldt
53 meter tall, 155,000 square foot innovation centre proposed as landmark for Victoria's south downtown.
City of Victoria, TELUS & Aryze Developments reveal plans for office tower on Apex Site at Douglas and Humboldt streets
TELUS Ocean will be an innovation hub and employment centre for 250 of the communication giant's employees.
Downtown car rental agencies on the move as secretive 'Apex Site' development plans crystallize
National Car Rental unveils development plans for new rental lot as its Douglas and Humboldt streets site nears redevelopment by TELUS and Jawl Properties.
Telecom giant TELUS, Jawl Properties to partner on upcoming Douglas Street tower
The Canadian communications giant and Victoria's most prolific office space developer have reportedly partnered to erect a tower at Douglas and Humboldt streets.
Design comp for property next to Crystal Gardens draws six entrants; City mum on alleged winner
One of six bids submitted to redevelop the City-owned Apex Site has been revealed, although the alleged winner has not been formally named.
TELUS looks to downtown Victoria for new office complex
Seeking to expand its real-estate and marketing presence in western Canada, TELUS has embarked on a major development strategy that will eventually include Victoria.
STAY CONNECTED TO CITIFIED