Mixed-use building proposed for Capital City Centre Hotel and White Spot lots

BC Housing is proposing a mixed-use building on the lots where Capital City Centre Hotel and White Spot formerly operated in Victoria.

The proposal for the lot envisions purpose-built and designed supportive housing, market rental units, below-market rental units, office units, childcare, a public plaza, commercial retail, a grocery store and condominiums.

BC Housing has partnered with Chard Developments for the project, and they are currently undergoing public consultation as part of the City of Victoria’s rezoning process.

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The group says if successful, this project would happen in four stages.

First, a supportive housing building would be constructed at 722 and 726 Discovery St., across the street from this development.

Then the current tenants of the Capital City Centre Hotel would be moved into these units, should they so choose.

Once the hotel is empty, the hotel and former White Spot would be demolished.

Finally, construction would begin on the towers.

Our Place Society has been operating supportive housing in the Capital City Centre Hotel since October 2020, when the province purchased the hotel for this purpose. BC Housing says once complete, Our Place will continue to operate the supportive housing units in the new buildings.

As part of the public consultation process, the Burnside Gorge Community Association hosted a virtual public community land use meeting on Feb. 7, where nearby neighbours were invited to share their thoughts on the project.

B.C. Housing Minister David Eby said Wednesday that the multi-use facility could be a blueprint for similar developments at other former hotel sites the government has purchased.

“This is the kind of model we hope to roll out across the other sites as well,” Eby said.

BC Housing released a rendering of what the final development could look like, but noted that the depiction is not final and may be adjusted based on input received during public engagement.

A rezoning application is expected to be submitted to the City of Victoria in fall.

BC Housing is proposing two projects. The top shows a smaller project where supportive housing will be built for residents currently in the Capital City Centre Hotel. The larger shows the main mixed-use project. (Courtesy BC Housing)

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