Quebec & Montreal Redevelopment
James Bay, Victoria, BC
A proposal for new and diverse housing, meaningful community amenities and outstanding public spaces by the local development team at Mike Geric Construction
Vision
This proposal reimagines a surface parking lot in iconic James Bay.
The vision is to build a development that will enhance its dynamic surroundings by adding to the character of this historic neighbourhood with a diverse range of housing, an improved pedestrian experience, exceptional public spaces and valuable amenities for residents and the broader community.
We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples on whose traditional territory these lands are located
Project Overview
Quebec and Montreal is a mixed-use development proposal that includes 112 homes, a childcare centre, café and commercial space as well as public open spaces designed to increase walkability, community connectivity and pedestrian safety in the immediate neighbourhood.
Comprised of four buildings, the design is custom fit to the unique location with a thoughtful transition between the scale and character of the waterfront buildings along Quebec and Montreal Streets, with that of the single-family houses and townhomes to the south.
Site Design
An integrated approach to building and landscape architecture and urban design has been used to create a proposal to transform this surface parking lot site into a beautiful community amenity.
Completely redesigned street-frontages along Montreal, Quebec, and Kingston Streets include richly landscaped streetscapes with new trees and plants, innovative rain gardens, wide separated sidewalks and public furniture and lighting. A feature tree at the corner of Quebec and Montreal will add to a vibrant new public plaza that’s a welcoming community space.
Building Form
The buildings include one mixed-use tower and three groups of two and three-storey townhouses. The tower is positioned on the Northern corner of the site, closest to the taller buildings along the waterfront. It sits on a three-storey podium that’s been scaled to define a comfortable street frontage on Montreal and Quebec Streets.
The building is pivoted off the street grid to align with compass North, which narrows its shadow. The narrow and tall tower creates a sculptural architectural composition that will be an attractive addition to the local skyline with colour and materials that pick up on the historic brick and stone buildings of the Inner Harbour District.
Transportation
This site is centrally-located close to local shops, services and amenities. Potential enhancements to walkability and connectivity to, from and through this property include wider sidewalks, protected bike lanes that connect to the City’s AAA cycling network at Montreal St, improvements to the crosswalk at Kingston and Montreal and the potential addition of a crosswalk at Quebec and Montreal.
Two electric vehicles are being considered for expansion of the local car-sharing network. Together with charging for e-bikes, secure bicycle storage and a resident bike repair station these investments will enhance the use of alternative transportation and offer a car-light living for residents in the area. Two levels of underground parking (146 spaces) are proposed to meet expected demand for all residential and commercial uses and new on-street parking for Quebec and Montreal Streets is proposed.
Housing
The projected number of new homes needed in the City of Victoria by 2025 is estimated to be 2,900. Finding opportunities to create a wide range of housing options is essential to ensuring we have homes available for all ages and incomes.
This proposal includes 112 new homes for James Bay and includes an affordable home ownership program that will make 10% of the homes available for sales at 15% below market prices.
Community Contributions
Timeline
• Purchased property
• Preliminary meetings with JBNA
• Pre-application meetings with City of Victoria
• Project Introduction to neighbours
• Community Open House Events
• James Bay Development Review Committee
• Submission to the City of Victoria
• Ongoing community discussions
• Advisory Design Panel
• Neighbourhood Update Meetings
• Submission Update to the City of Victoria
• Committee of the Whole
• Public Hearing
• Building Permit Application
• Site Preparation
Commitment
To Engagement
Our team is committed to ongoing engagement for this proposed redevelopment. Through open house events, neighbour and community association meetings, we’ve had many opportunities to share ideas and listen to feedback that continues to be incorporated into our planning. Please reach out to our team with your thoughts, questions and feedback about this project at team@quebecandmontreal.ca.
PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
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Mike Geric Construction is an award-winning local developer known for pioneering new technologies, creating high-quality diverse housing and building lasting positive relationships with neighbours, municipalities and the broader community.
The talented team behind this development proposal understands the significance of this property and the opportunity to develop a valuable community asset with lasting positive impacts.
