City of Victoria approves 22-storey condo building on Fisgard

Sunday July 12, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends City of Victoria council last week unanimously approved a 22-storey residential community at 741 Fisgard Street at the corner of Blanshard Street. The mixed-use condo development as now planned for the Fisgard/Blanshard intersection is on a lot that has been [...] The post City of Victoria approves 22-storey condo building on Fisgard appeared first on Island Social Trends .

Sunday July 12, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends City of Victoria council last week unanimously approved a 22-storey residential community at 741 Fisgard Street at the corner of Blanshard Street. The mixed-use condo development as now planned for the Fisgard/Blanshard intersection is on a lot that has been sitting vacant (as a parking lot) for seven years.

There will be 156 residential units, four floors of underground parking and ground-floor commercial units forming a food-court alley in the middle of the block. The decision was made by Council at their July 9 meeting. Long-time coming: The project by Jawl Residential and Tri-Eagle Development has been 23 years in the making.

Architectural design by Cascadia Architects. Plans originally called for a 15-storey office tower, but that stalled when other new office projects including the Capital Park complex behind the BC legislature, absorbed much of the demand. A building of this size typically has a 30- to 36-month construction cycle, with construction expected to start next year.

Condos with benefits: While the City has approved several rental buildings in the 2022-2026 term, this building is condos. Project plans call for 15 studio units, 66 one-bedroom units, 45 one-bedroom-plus-den units, 24 two-bedroom units and six with three-bedrooms. There will be 164 secured ground-floor bicycle parking stalls.

Downtown feature: Described as a vibrant, thoughtful addition to downtown Victoria, the building features: - The “Sky Gardens”: Instead of traditional balconies, the tower features six unique, two-storey outdoor sky gardens stacked vertically throughout the building. They give residents shared access to fresh air, vibrant greenery, and stunning views. It was proposed that the use of small individual balconies may not be as popular as in times past.

- A Vibrant Streetscape: At the corner, a prominent, light-filled glazed atrium lobby anchors the building. - A New Food Alley: Along the western edge, a linear food court of micro-retail spaces will activate a pedestrian lane connecting Fisgard to Cormorant Street, bringing an injection of energy, delicious eats, and foot traffic to the neighborhood. Victoria City Councillor Jeremy Caradonna said the food alley will be a big addition to the neighbourhood which currently features high-rise residential towers.

Community benefits: Community benefits include an eco-friendly rain garden at street level to naturally filter rainwater runoff; $200,000 to the city’s Housing Reserve Fund, which supports non-market housing projects; and $250,000 toward the new city park planned across the street at nearby 1703 and 1725-1745 Blanshard St. The developer said that downloading parking to neighbouring streets “is a bit unfair,” adding: “We felt it was part of the value for this building to have its own parking.” City Councillor Krista Loughton says the project is “exciting news for downtown Victoria”.

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