Northern Junk
A Waterfront and Heritage Revitalization Project
The Northern Junk project in Victoria’s downtown core (1314 - 1318 Wharf Street) will enhance the existing vacant buildings located South of the Johnson Street Bridge.
The buildings have been vacant since 1978, creating an unusable portion of what should be a key connection point for the Victoria waterfront and proposed David Foster Way.
The final stage of the approval process was determined at a Public Hearing held by the Victoria City Council. Council heard from members of the public on whether they saw this design as being a positive enhancement to the downtown and Old Town neighbourhoods before making their decision. On August 5, 2021, the proposal was approved! Thank you to the community for your support.
Developer: Reliance Properties/Crosstown Properties
Architect: BOP Architects.
One Victoria Place
Breathing new life into Downtown Victoria
Reliance Properties is proud to introduce One Victoria Place - a people-centered landmark proposed for 1520 Blanshard Street in Downtown Victoria. One Victoria Place responds to the evolving needs of the city with amenity-rich housing (including 30% family-sized homes), live-work, commercial and co-working spaces as well as a large plaza designed to invite the public into and through the site and building.
Learn more:
Public Open House - January 27, 2024 5-7 PM, Thomas & Birch Warehouse (2100 Douglas Street)
Community Association Land Use Committee Meeting - February 10, 2025 6-8 PM, Hotel Rialto (653 Pandora Avenue)
Developer: Reliance Properties/Crosstown Properties
Architect: office of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers
A Landmark Building for a Unique Location
At 35-storeys, One Victoria Place is the tallest proposed building in the City of Victoria. This site, located at a critical jog in the city grid between Pandora and Cormorant Streets is uniquely suited to a tall building and all of the benefits that it will bring to the downtown community. The building’s architecture is a contemporary interpretation of Victoria’s rich history, culture and environment that will have lasting significance for Victoria’s skyline and in the city’s cultural fabric.
View from Pandora Ave. and Vancouver St.
Vista Termination at Blanshard St. from Fisgard St.
View from Blanshard St. and View St.
A Landmark Building for a Unique Location
At 35-storeys, One Victoria Place is the tallest proposed building in the City of Victoria. This site, located at a critical jog in the city grid between Pandora and Cormorant Streets is uniquely suited to a tall building and all of the benefits that it will bring to the downtown community. The building’s architecture is a contemporary interpretation of Victoria’s rich history, culture and environment that will have lasting significance for Victoria’s skyline and in the city’s cultural fabric.
Key Design Elements
One Victoria Place is the answer to these important city building questions:
1. What does the future of urban living and working look like? How do we enhance the quality of life for individuals and families living and working in tall buildings?
2. How do we create a place specific modern architectural intervention that contributes to and participates in the rich history of Victoria’s built environment?
3. How do we create a sheltered, active, engaging, and inviting plaza and public realm that will make a meaningful contribution to the City? How can the landscape speak to Victoria’s natural environment to create a place-specific experience?
Urban Housing for the Future
- The provision of 321 units of housing, of which 30% will be family-sized
- Residential spaces co-located with supportive facilities for co-working, working-from-home, and engagement with local retail and restaurants
- Generous indoor and outdoor amenities including full activation of podium roof terraces
Support for Arts & Culture
- A cash contribution to support a non-profit organization’s off‑site building acquisition for permanent artist studios use
- Provision of a publicly accessible space with seating to support local events, story telling, performance, projections, and more, contributing to the day-to-day vitality of residents and visitors to the site
- Public art within the plaza
- Provision of co-working and live/work spaces that support the cross-pollination of ideas, creativity, and community
Responsive Architecture
- Culturally responsive architecture that provides a contemporary interpretation of Victoria’s rich built environment
- A material palette in dialogue with Victoria’s historic fabric deployed with modern, sustainable fabrication techniques
- Environmentally responsive architecture that adapts to local climatic conditions and meets low carbon building standards
A Vibrant Public Realm
- A significant public plaza that is sheltered from the street and prevailing winds, enjoys ample sun, and engages the surrounding village context
- Support for active transportation and harnessing of the energy of adjacent bicycle routes to provide a high-quality cycling experience
- An open, active, and inviting ground floor experience that brings the public into and through the site and building
FAQ
Will this project set a precedent for tall buildings in Victoria?
1520 Blanshard Street is the best site in Downtown Victoria for a tall building. There are very few sites that can support tall buildings, and none of them can do it as well. It’s unlikely this project will set a replicable precedent.
How does One Victoria Place fit in with the existing Victoria Skyline?
One Victoria Place will serve as a contextual landmark within a predominantly mid-rise urban landscape. The proposed building is a gateway to Victoria’s Downtown, visible from key vista terminations around the City.
Why does this project propose a higher density than what is allowed in Victoria’s Official Community Plan?
1520 Blanshard is ideally suited to host a taller building. In addition, more density responds to the urgent need for more housing in Victoria and makes a significant contribution to annual housing delivery targets.
Why not provide more office/employment space?
Demand for office space is lower than the demand for housing. More housing on this site will contribute to a more balanced mix of uses Downtown, facilitating activation around the clock and enhancing livability, safety, comfort,and quality of life. This project provides increased capacity for hybrid and remote work to meet the dynamic needs of modern employment.
How have City staff responded to the project so far?
City staff are supportive of the architectural and landscape design but have recommended revising the proposal to be more consistent with existing policy.
Do you have more questions? Please share them with our team.
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