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
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.