MAPPING VICTORIA - May 2026

Christ Church Rezoning Approval - Posted May 29, 2026

On Thursday May 28th, Victoria City Council voted 6-2 to approval rezoning for the Christ Church Cathedral lands, permitting four residential buildings ranging from eight to 18-storeys on site, one to two levels of underground parking as well as a new amenity building for offices and event/cultural/community space. Plans for individual buildings will have to be submitted for approval by applying for a development permit in the future. As for when we can expect the development permit applications is anyone's guess; however the Anglican Diocese of the Islands and Inlets previously indicated it would be a long-term plan taking up to 20 years. Check out our MappingVictoria Christ Church Master Plan project page for an extensive overview, the Victoria News story on rezoning approval as well as the Church's excellent project website for more details.

Lost in the shuffle was the previous item on the meeting agenda, the rezoning and development permit with variances application for 517 Chatham. The six-story, 133 unit heritage inspired building in Old Town received unanimous approval with amendments requiring further discussion between city staff and the developer around public access times to the pocket park and the cladding of a blank wall facing a neighbouring building.

May 14, 2026 video on Vimeo

Rejection Rejected for Fort and Quadra Proposal - Posted May 23, 2026

At the May 21st Council of the Whole Meeting, city council ignored city planner's recommendation to reject a proposed development consisting of three buildings of 10, 11 and 27-storeys at the corner of Fort and Quadra. Instead by a vote of 7-2 they directed city planners to work with the developer Parc Retirement Living "to revise the proposal for greater consistency with City policy and applicable guidelines, refer the proposal to the Advisory Design Panel, complete a land lift analysis, and then return to a future Commitee of the Whole meeting for Council's consideration."

During their presentation city planners noted the maximum height currently allowed for the site is 12 residential storeys. Rob Bateman, Senior Planner with Development Services stated "The proposal for a 27-storey building in this location; therefore, undermines the overall urban structure concept by proposing a larger scale building in a location that should be providing a transition to the smaller scale buildings adjacent to the downtown core." Bateman also commented that in addition to exceeding the allowable density the three buildings did not meet city guidelines for sufficient spacial separation and the podium/street level was not consistent with the heritage storefront nature of Fort street.

Mayor Marianne Alto observed “It’s important for us to signal there is an appetite from the majority of council for something to be here, that it should be a landmark and there is a lot more conversation to happen. My only real hope is that it does not take a very long time.” An interesting use of the term 'landmark' as it indicates there is openness for a significant development here beyond the 12-storey limit.

MappingVictoria dove into the controversy about the height limit and early city planning feedback in a November 24, 2025 opinion piece, and you can check out our 899 Fort Street project page. The Times-Colonist also reported on council's decision in Andrew Duffy's May 22nd story.

Pacific Arbour Six Proposal for 899 Fort Street by Parc Retirement Living - Image © LHRA

Google Earth View: The red pin point shows the proposal site at 899 Fort Street. Is there a logical reason why buildings on this site must not exceed 12 storeys during a housing crisis?

Unlikely to Aryze in Oak Bay? - Posted May 22, 2026

Aryze is at it again - this time in Oak Bay partnering with the Songhees Nation for a proposed 54 unit waterfront condo development beside the Victoria Golf Club. It'll be a surprise if this Aryze proposal reaches the light of the Oak Bay day at least in its current form based on Oak Bay's aversion to development. Its clunky looking design overwhelming and out of place with the surrounding landscape won't do it any favours either. We'll follow this one in the months and years ahead along with the other massive Oak Bay waterfront proposal, the three tower 568 unit plan for Butchart Point, which seems more of real estate sale strategy than a realistic housing proposal.

May 22, 2026 CHEK News story on Oak Bay proposal

July 16, 2025 CHEK News story on Butchart Point

No News is Good News? - Posted May 13, 2026

Hello loyal readers - a heads up that there will be no Breaking News for the next week. Because I can see the into the future. And also because MappingVictoria has given our staff a well deserved holiday. We can only hope they return from their all expenses paid trip to Liechtenstein. In the meantime here's a picture of a bike counter.

First Met must First Meet Condition to Gain Rezoning Approval - Posted May 8, 2026

The Times-Colonist has reported that although praised by Mayor Alto and council, Aryze Developments' plans for the former First Metropolitan Church will require a public right-of- way between the church and the new build to secure the expected rezoning. Aryze's partnership with the United Church will see a new six-storey, 129 unit apartment building and adaptation of the church to be used as a cultural/performance venue.

Check out the TC article and our MappingVictoria First Met project page for more context and visuals.

Image from Aryze's March 12, 2026 Revised Plans - © MA + HG

Architect Floats New Design for Wharf Street - Posted May 6, 2026

On May 2nd I attended a reception at 1244 Wharf Street hosted by Cascadia Architects in the former restaurant/bar as part of Design Victoria 2026. Cascadia shared one of the possible revisions they are working on featuring a four storey modern addition atop a glass framed transition level. I had an opportunity to talk to architect Andy Guiry who indicated they are working on new plans and having discussions with the City as a two storey addition is not economically viable to support the restoration work and creation of new housing units. Guiry indicated they are looking at a 4 or 5-storey modern addition and emphasized that the building has been modified several times early in its history and they want to see it evolve and thrive into the future. He also indicated that they would like to see the Wyland's whale mural restored/repainted as part of the restoration process.

For a detailed look at the proposal for the historic 1882 building designed by architect John Teague check out our Mapping Victoria project page for 1244 Wharf Street.

May 2026 - A possible new direction - © Cascadia Architects

Additions made to the original 1882 structure - © Cascadia Architects

Previous February 2024 Plans - © Cascadia Architects

UVic Housing Tower - 48 More Months - Posted May 6, 2026

The Times-Colonist published a story today on Saanich Council's unanimous approval of a development variance permit for the University of Victoria's Sinclair Road student housing tower. The permit will be valid for 48 months in the hopes provincial funding is restored to the project in the next four years, allowing the 17-storey, 510 bed student housing tower to proceed. For a deep dive on the proposal and the design process check out MappingVictoria project page for the Sinclair Road building.

Mercedes-Benz on Canadian Tires - Posted May 5, 2026

3,460 and counting. Days that is. Or 9 years, 5 months and 22 days since the Canadian Tire on Douglas Street closed it doors for good.

129 days since the last new development proposal was received by the City of Victoria on December 23, 2025 for 915 McClure Street. Now that streak has ended with a new four building Mercedes-Benz dealership proposed for 2959 Douglas Street at the former Canadian Tire location. Our MappingVictoria project page has all the details for the Mercedes-Benz dealership by the Gain Group which also owns the neighbouring Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Audi dealership.

Oh, for clarification, it's been 133 days and counting since the last residential proposal received by the City of Victoria.

Groundhog or May Day? - Posted May 1, 2026

Esquimalt dominated April's Breaking News and they're back again with news on the pause that never waz (cuz waz rhymes better than was). The Times Colonist's May 1, ,2026 story on a potential pause on Esquimalt missing middle housing included insights from Councillor Duncan Cavens:

“I never believed that a moratorium was possible, or legal, or doable. “Somehow we got distracted by the idea of a moratorium that some of my colleagues had brought up.”

Even more Esquimalt development content from the Times Colonist in their April 30, 2026 report on the Gateway project at 856 Esquimalt Road.

"The $102-million, two-building complex — each six storeys — is 98 per cent filled, Steve Forrest, chief operating officer of Vancouver-based PC Urban, said Thursday at a ribbon-cutting with local officials and contractors.

“Rentals are so powerful right now in terms of demand,” said Forrest. “We are seeing people come from all over. There’s been a short supply of rental and people want a safe, secure and a nice place to live, and we’re providing that.”

Forrest said 16 per cent of the new residents are military members based at CFB Esquimalt, and another four per cent are health-care workers coming from the U.S.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse