10-storey office building pitched for downtown Victoria movie theatre site
Local development company Jawl Properties is hoping to redevelop the Capitol 6 theatre site in downtown Victoria into a 10-storey office building.
Jawl, which has owned the property at 1221 Blanshard St. since 2015, applied for rezoning and development permits on Monday.
The proposed building would include retail and commercial space on the first three floors, and office space on the upper floors, as well as three levels of underground parking.
In addition to the retail space, the ground floor would include an "urban plaza," something that developers think would improve the space for pedestrians.
"We believe that the development proposal offers an opportunity to stimulate desirable activity on this key site in the heart of the downtown core and optimize the potential of a currently underutilized and pedestrian unfriendly block end," the company said in its application to the city.
Jawl adds that it would first look for local retailers, including restaurants and cafes, to fill the lower-level commercial spaces once ready.
In total, the 10-storey building would contain a gross area of 169,988 square feet, according to Jawl, and would have room for approximately 600 workers in its office spaces and 144 parking stalls in its underground parkade.
There is also room for bicycle parking, and room has been reserved for showers and other post-ride facilities.
Jawl Properties says it paid particular attention to its architecture design so that it complements nearby buildings, such as the Atrium, and allows for sightlines to the nearby St. Andrew's Cathedral.
"It's really finding that balance between a working design for a successful building, but fitting it – custom tailoring it – to the city so that it becomes a part of the fabric of the city and makes it better," said Erica Sangster, principal architect with D'Ambrosio architecture and urbanism.
The project, dubbed Capital VI by Jawl, is currently in the community consultation phase, with a formal development application going to the City of Victoria in August.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.