MAPPING VICTORIA - 617 Broughton St

617 Broughton St

Building Info

12-storeys with two 7-storey wings and public plaza facing the church, total density 5.94 FSR
242 rental apartments, including 37% family-sized units (two bedrooms or more)
14,308 square feet (1,329 square metres) of ground-floor retail with active frontages on Broughton, Courtney, and Gordon Streets
Range of indoor and outdoor amenity spaces within the building and on rooftop terraces (totalling 379 sqm)
A 583 square metre privately-owned public plaza that creates an enhanced interface with St. Andrew’s Church
Three below-grade parking levels accessed via Courtney Street - 167 vehicle parking stalls, 308 long term bike stalls

Developer

GWL Realty Advisors

Architect

MCM Partnership Architects

Context

Currently the site of 1960 built Broughton Square Parkade which has 325 parking stalls and several retail stores at ground level facing Broughton, Gordon and Courtney streets

City of Victoria Development Tracker

Project Folder

Status

June 2026 - Revised plans were submitted to City on May 26, 2026 taking into account planning and public feedback. Height reduced from 13 to 12-storeys although the two wings increased from 6 to 7-storeys. Number of units reduced from 251 to 242 units (August 2025 plans had 265 units), density slightly increased from 5.9 FSR to 5.94 while vehicle and bike parking remains unchanged.

Media and Images

MappingVictoria Flickr Photo Album for 617 Broughton St

May 2026 Revised Plans - © MCM Partnership Architects

Previous January 2026 version - © MCM Partnership Architects

Recent State

You can reach out and touch the neighbouring church from the parkade; while the proposal will create a public plaza and open unobstructed views of the east side hidden for over 65 years. The following three photos were taken on March 23, 2026.

October 28, 2023 - © John Johnson

Viewed from Broad Street - August 25, 2025 - © John Johnson

View of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church from top level of existing parkade on site - January 10, 2025 - © John Johnson

View from Broughton and Courtney - June 10, 2026

View from Courtney and Gordon - June 10, 2026

Location

Google Street View

View from Broughton & Gordon:

July 2025 April 2014 June 2009

View from Courtney & Gordon:

July 2025 May 2015 September 2011

Design Deep Dive

Developer description of design and heritage context:

"The design offers a contemporary interpretation of the prevailing Edwardian commercial style found throughout this part of Old Town. Materials, massing, building orientation, and architectural detailing integrate seamlessly into the surrounding urban fabric.

Architectural treatments, including brick masonry, chamfered corners, and proportioned façades, reference Edwardian commercial forms without directly replicating them, creating a contemporary design that complements Old Town’s historic character.

The new public plaza along Courtney Street provides additional space for viewing the distinctive apse of St. Andrew’s Church—a feature currently hidden behind a parking ramp. The building’s placement also maintains existing views of the church’s steeple and unique stepped gables from key vantage points along Douglas Street."

January 2026 version - © MCM Partnership Architects

August 2025 Version - © MCM Partnership Architects

January 2026 Revised Plans - © MCM Partnership Architects - click here to view full size image

January 2026 Revised Plans - © MCM Partnership Architects - click here to view full size

January 2026 Revised Plans - © MCM Partnership Architects - click here to view full size image and here to view the full 95 page booklet

Historical Context Deep Dive

The current parkade was built in 1960 as the Eatons Parkade and could hold more than 400 cars. It was later redesigned to include storefronts on the three street facing sides and the capacity was reduced to 325 vehicle stalls. Before the parkade this site was home to Vancouver Island Coach Lines and prior to that the Victoria Transfer Company.

Daily Colonist - April 30, 1959 Daily Colonist - page 1. Note - the parking capacity may indicate initial plans for a surface lot only.

Construction of Eatons Parkade in 1960 - © City of Victoria Archives

Postcard of Eatons Parkade - date unknown - image source

October 25, 1960 - Daily Colonist

Vancouver Island Coach Lines and Pacific Coach Lines history

Vancouver Island Coach Lines - Broughton looking towards Gordon street in 1931. The building was designed by Francis Rattenbury for the Victoria Transfer Company and completed in 1908. © Victoria Archives - Item M11760.

Interior of Vancouver Island Coach Lines - 1931 © Victoria Archives - Item M11761

Following pictures from 1945 and © BC Archives

Vancouver Island Coach Lines depot - corner of Gordon and Courtney

Courtney Street

Interior of Vancouver Island Coach Lines Bus

The site was used as a coach lines depot since the late 1920's and in the decades prior it was also home to transportation services in the form of the Victoria Transfer Company.

Daily Colonist - Saturday, October 27, 1928

December 13, 1908 Daily Colonist story on the Victoria Transfer Company and their new headquarters on Broughton. Click here for a larger readable size.

All three newspaper clippings on the Victoria Transfer Co were published in the January 3, 1909 Victoria Daily Colonist

The corner of Gordon and Courtney street was home to the first St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. It was converted to car garage/dealership and in 1935 was demolished. Vancouver Island Coach Lines expanded their footprint from Broughton street and used the lot for their operations.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at the corner of Gordon and Courtney- completed in 1869, photo likely taken the same year. The architect was Herbert Otto Teidemann. The church was demolished in 1935 - © B C Archives F-08559

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at the corner of Gordon and Courtney (upper right) - 1870

City of Victoria Archives - PR-0252-M05777 - photo 192?

August 11, 1935 The Daily Colonist - Page 1

Page updated

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