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.
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
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
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.
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.
Renderings © Union Architecture and from May 1, 2026 development submission to City of Victoria
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.
Gateway in Esquimalt - image © Devon Properties - see their rental page for more info
