MAPPING VICTORIA - 617 Broughton St

617 Broughton St

Building Info

13 storeys with 6 storey wings and public plaza facing the church, total density 5.9 FSR
251 rental apartments (26% two bedroom, 6% three bedroom)
Retail space fronting on all sides - Courtney, Gordon, Broughton and interior facing courtyard - residential entry on Gordon St.
Three below-grade levels accessed via Courtney Street - 167 vehicle parking stalls, 308 long term bike stalls

Developer

GWL Realty Advisors

Architect

MCM Partnership Architects

Context

August 2025 proposal had 14 more apartments at 265
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

January 2026: Active - applicant held a public meeting on January 13, 2026 at the Magnolia Hotel on Broughton Street. Revised plans submitted to City and received on January 23, 2026. The revised plans are dated December 2025 thus it appears no changes resulted from the January meeting; however, there are differences from the August 2025 submission.

Media and Images

January 2026 version - © MCM Partnership Architects

August 2025 Version - © MCM Partnership Architects

Recent State

October 28, 2023 - © John Johnson

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

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

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: Interior Plaza - © PWL - click here to see full size version

MCM Partnership Architects - click here to view full size image

MCM Partnership Architects - click here to view full size

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.

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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