Jan 28 - Island's tallest building proposed

Good morning !

Victoria could someday have a 35-storey tower, breaking records for building heights on the Island. Our first story looks at the proposal from developers.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

Island’s tallest tower proposed for Blanshard and Pandora

Vancouver developer Reliance Properties Ltd. wants to build a 35-storey tower replete with family-sized units on a busy street corner a block east of Victoria City Hall. 

“It's exciting because it's just a huge investment and renewal in a part of the city that's got a lot of older buildings that are kind of past their prime,” Jon Stovell, Reliance’s CEO tells Capital Daily.

Right now on that plot of land at 1520 Blanshard, there’s a plaza and a three-storey brutalist building built in 1981, currently housing the provincial government’s forestry ministry. 

“One Victoria Place” would have 321 market-rate units comprised of one- to three-bedrooms, including 99 family-sized units and office and commercial space on its ground floor and lower levels. 

The tower would stand 118 metres or 387 feet, and at 35 storeys, it would eclipse not only the current reigning height champ (Hudson Place One, just a little to the north) and Vic West’s Roundhouse at Bayview Place, which is planned to have 32 storeys, as well as the 30+-storey buildings slated for Colwood Corners and Harris Green. 

The title for BC”s tallest building goes to the Living Shangri-La, a mixed-use skyscraper in downtown Vancouver that stands 200.9 metres and has 62 storeys.

Last night, approximately 60 people attended a community open house where Stovell and his Reliance team expounded on the benefits of the proposed project which includes two ­five-storey buildings with ­housing and retail space complementing a large public plaza—and the 35-storey residential building shooting up like a “gateway” to the city to anyone approaching downtown, Stovell said.

Read more about the proposed tall building here. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Saanich traffic advisories: See where roadwork is taking place.

Delays and dust: Sidewalk replacement on Gorge E. near Jutland, Dunedin, and Bridge all week.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

After talks with city, Quadratic Sound abandons plan to reopen as music venue

The zoning issues that led Quadratic Sound—a music recording and practice studio operating above the Bottle Depot on Queens—to shut down its event operations have proven to be too difficult to overcome. The space announced over the weekend that it would no longer pursue a return to hosting events, after three months of working with city staff and architects to understand the requirements of operating a venue.

Quadratic Sound hosted events for years, supplementing its main business model as a rentable music studio. It became a pillar for underground community events and local music shows, known for its queer-friendly and inclusive atmosphere. 

But last fall, Quadratic Sound’s team was informed by city bylaw and the fire department that the space was not zoned to host events, prompting them to quickly shut this offering down. 

In an Instagram post, the team said it had consulted with the city on changes needed to allow for events, which included new permits and upgrades to the building. Instead of pursuing these, the team has decided to turn its focus on improving the original purpose of the space: studio rentals. The team says it may renovate the space someday to build out more rentable studios. 

Quadratic Sound said it has taken a hit with its changed direction. Because of the sunk costs invested in the event space, the team considers itself to be in a “financial hole” and needs to increase bookings to make improvements to the rental studio.

If the costs aren’t recuperated through bookings, the space may be moved elsewhere, it said.

“Our team has put countless hours into the Depot, and we want to see it used by our community,” Quadratic Sound’s statement read. “However, if we can’t find a sustainable path forward we’ll have no choice but to vacate the space.” 

Small venues shut throughout Victoria

Last year it was announced that Hermann’s Upstairs would close. It was soon followed by the closure of the Victoria Events Centre. Both of these spaces were known for attracting alternative events and for being a financially accessible option for local event promoters. Prior to 2024, Victoria had lost other notable venues Logan’s and the Carlton Club. 

But music fans scored a win last month when it was announced a new club—The Coda—would move into the space occupied by Hermann’s Upstairs.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Support transformative change for Indigenous communities

$681,656 has been granted to 21 different applicants to support social, cultural, and legal infrastructure for Indigenous communities — thanks to boundless generosity in the capital region.

One grant recipient has described the support as "transformative" for their initiatives.

Six local Nations and 15 other applicants received funding through the Indigenous Priorities Fund — a pilot program in its second year, developed by an all-Indigenous Granting Advisory supported by the Victoria Foundation.

The Fund supports Nations first, followed by organizations with Indigenous programs, to boost the priorities they have identified in their communities. The granting pilot aims to develop a granting approach that better reflects Indigenous priorities.

To support the Fund, visit the Victoria Foundation's website.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐦 Flexibility test: See a red-winged blackbird do the splits, with a claw on two different cattail reeds. [Facebook photo]

🍵 Mateina’s low to no-sugar Yerba Mate beverages offer steady energy without the unwanted crash or jitters. Get 15% off Mateina's Energy Brews while supplies last.*

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🗞️ In Other News

BC climate activist deported after years of fighting to stay 
Zain Haq, co-founder of Save Old Growth, boarded his flight to Pakistan on Sun., following a years-long campaign to stay in the province with Victoria-born wife Sophia Papp. Haq received a deportation order after his student visa was revoked, though he and his legal team argue the deportation was punishment for taking part in environmental blockades in Vancouver, which he received mischief charges for. His supporters say he’s the first person deported from Canada for climate activism. 
Read how Haq was nearly deported last year, but granted reprieve from the minister of immigration. 
Read about his most recent deportation order here.

National skateboarding camp lands in Victoria 
Many of the country’s top skateboarders were in town last week competing at the Canada Skateboard national team camp held at Saanich-Commonwealth Place. Skateboarding is an Olympic sport now, and boarding will next be contested in LA in 2028. The Canadian championships are scheduled for March in Montreal. [Times Colonist]

Stolen drum ends up back in hands of North Saanich man
The hand drum, painted with a purple hummingbird and flowers, was stolen last year but appeared in an online ad just before Christmas. North Saanich Coun. Jack McClintock, who had purchased it at a thrift store, decided to sell it on Facebook Marketplace. Charlie Bill saw the listing and immediately told his North Saanich neighbour Ezra Davis Bill from the Tseycum First Nation because it looked familiar. Turns out it was his, and McClintock made sure to get it back to him. [Black Press]

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SPONSORED BY GLENLYON NORFOLK SCHOOL

Experience GNS: in-person open house

Families are invited to discover how Glenlyon Norfolk School empowers students to be curious, engaged, and prepared for the future. Attend an open house to explore the school’s campuses, meet dedicated staff, and talk to students. GNS helps learners thrive as balanced individuals ready for success. Register to learn more!

🗓️ Things to do

📽️ Karuara, People of the River: This documentary on the fight for legal personhood of a river in the Peruvian Amazon plays at Cinecenta today and tomorrow. 5:20 & 7pm. [Info]

🎂 Cake Decoration Workshop: Join this fun and creative evening, learning new techniques with fellow cake enthusiasts at Flourish BeauTea in Langford tomorrow. 6:15pm. [Info]

🎸 International Guitar Night: Check out the world’s premier touring guitar festival at The Farquhar at UVic tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🧠 Futures: The Design Trends Shaping 2025: A panel of industry leaders will share their perspectives on this year’s design trends at KWENCH. Thu. 5-7pm. [Info]

🍫 Hot Chocolate Festival: Taste the warmth of Victoria’s community with this month-long festival in support of the BC SPCA Victoria Community Animal Centre, kicking off this weekend. Feb. 1-28. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Esquimalt eatery is back, downtown; Protected seabeds: a good climate-change tact; 11 donors at Vic-area hospitals save 11 lives.  [Jan. 27]

Ladysmith’s Pam Anderson is not bothered by Oscar's snub. [CHEK]

Purdy good: Is this the new Cherry Blossom? [Times Colonist]

New boardwalks in Uplands Park should be fully installed by the end of Feb. [Oak Bay News]

Mysterious globes of ice photographed at Gorge Park. [Facebook]

2 eagles on a rock at Willows Beach. [James MacDonald]

That’s it!

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