Your downtown is about to look very different
Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Well, here's the thing that's making the rounds this morning, causing a bit of a quiet ripple through the city, much like a pebble dropped into the Inner Harbour. Victoria's Christ Church Cathedral, that grand old dame on Quadra Street, just got the green light to rezone its land. And what does that mean, you ask? It means they can build up to four buildings, between eight and eighteen storeys high. Eighteen storeys! Can you imagine?
### What This Means for Victoria
Now, you might be thinking, "Agnes, what's the big deal? It's just a church." But it's not *just* a church. It's a significant piece of Victoria's skyline and history, a stone's throw from Beacon Hill Park and those lovely old homes in James Bay. This isn't just a minor tweak; it's a fundamental shift in how we envision that part of our city.
* The visual impact will be substantial, altering views from various points across the city, including perhaps even from the Dallas Road waterfront. * It introduces a density that's quite a departure for the immediate neighbourhood, which traditionally holds a quieter, more residential character. * It signals a willingness to embrace significant vertical growth in areas we might not have expected, pushing the boundaries of what "Victoria architecture" means.
It's a curious thing, isn't it? Victoria, often seen as quaint, post-haste even, is now looking at something that feels very... *un-quaint*. We're talking about buildings that will tower over the surrounding heritage structures and likely cast long shadows over parts of the neighbourhood. It really makes you wonder about the balance between preservation and progress, especially in a city that prides itself on its unique charm. Will this be a good thing for the city, bringing much-needed housing, or will it irrevocably change the character we hold so dear? Only time, and perhaps a few more planning meetings, will tell.
Agnes Szymanski, MiTL Sports Desk, Victoria.
Brendan and the early birds are chatting about this one right now, catch them at mornings.live.