The Greater Victoria construction boom ticked forward on Monday as president Mike Miller of Abstract Developments tucked his shovel into the first cement footing of a new four-storey building on North Dairy Road.
Directly across from Hillside shopping centre on the Saanich side of the border with Victoria, the four-storey building is named Fifteen88 (at 1588 North Dairy Rd.) and features 62 condo homes of one and two bedroom units. On Monday afternoon Miller, architects and others gathered to fill the first concrete footing for the building.
“We’re very excited as it’s the first development under the new Shelbourne Valley Action Plan,” Miller said. “[Fifteen88’s] height, density mix, design and amenities will set the stage for future projects as Saanich works towards the plan’s 30-year goal.”
READ MORE: Abstract prepares to transform Fort/Pentrelew property
The condo homes are already 70 per cent sold. Abstract is planning for a late 2020 move-in date.
The Shelbourne plan, or ‘SVAP,’ as it’s known, is a long-term plan to create density with in 500 metres of the Shelbourne corridor with new separated bike lanes coming. Fifteen88 is obviously within walking distance to Hillside mall but is also on major transit routes.
Abstract submitted its design to Saanich planning in April of 2017 and was awarded the development after a Saanich council public hearing last April.
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Abstract Developments has a number of buildings underway, such as the three-phase Bellewood Park at 1201 Fort St., with a six-storey building, a four-storey building, and nine townhomes for a total of 83 one, two and three bedroom condo homes and townhomes. Bellewood is 50 per cent sold out with an estimated completion in 2021 for all 83 units. Abstract is also building Avery Lane at 1810 Kings Rd. in the Saanich Camosun panhandle and 3450 Whittier Ave, a 24-townhome development in the process of rezoning. Avery Lane is 16 townhomes of three and four bedrooms each while Whitter is proposed as two and three bedroom townhomes.
Abstract’s sister company, NVision Properties, has two major rental projects on the way with Verve, at 3381 Whittier Ave. in Saanich and another at Shelbourne and McKenzie. Verve will feature 95 rental homes of studios, and one and two bedroom suites, on target to be ready for April of this year. The Shelbourne and Mackenzie project at 3949 Shelbourne St. proposes 76 rental homes of Studios, one and two bedroom suites, and is currently amid re-zoning.
