From a 22-storey residential tower on Douglas Street to rental apartments above industrial space in Vic West, several development proposals across Victoria illustrate how the city could accommodate more housing, businesses, and public amenities within its existing urban landscape.
Six projects stand out for their different approaches to mixed-use development. Some would introduce housing to traditionally commercial or industrial properties, while others envision larger transformations involving public plazas, cultural facilities, and new commercial space.
Here's a closer look at what's being proposed, where the developments are located, and what makes each project noteworthy.
Explore the Developments
- Six Victoria developments at a glance
- 512 Pembroke Street — A mixed-use redevelopment
- 617 Broughton Street — Commercial space and a public plaza
- Store Street — A multi-property redevelopment proposal
- 235 Russell Street — Rental housing above industrial space
- 3075 Douglas Street — A proposed 22-storey residential tower
- 517 Chatham Street — Six storeys of housing and retail
- Application records and sources
Six Victoria Developments at a Glance
The proposals range from individual mixed-use buildings to larger redevelopment plans involving multiple properties.
| Location | Proposed Development | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 512 Pembroke Street | Phased development combining residential, commercial, industrial, cultural, and community uses | Not specified |
| 617 Broughton Street | Commercial space and a publicly accessible plaza | 12–13 storeys* |
| Store Street / Chatham Street | Multi-property redevelopment involving residential, commercial, cultural, and public uses | Not specified |
| 235 Russell Street | Rental apartments above industrial space | Approximately 6 storeys |
| 3075 Douglas Street | Residential tower with ground-floor commercial space | 22 storeys |
| Chatham Street / Herald Street | Residential building with ground-floor retail | 6 storeys |
*The two application records for 617 Broughton Street contain different building heights. Both are noted below.
1. 512 Pembroke Street: A Mixed-Use Redevelopment with Public Space
A redevelopment proposal at 512 Pembroke Street envisions a combination of residential, commercial, industrial, cultural, and institutional uses.
Rather than focusing on a single building type, the application describes a phased development incorporating several activities within the same property. Publicly accessible open spaces are also part of the proposal.
The inclusion of industrial and cultural uses alongside housing is particularly notable. It represents an approach to redevelopment that seeks to accommodate employment and community activities rather than replacing them entirely with residential buildings.
The application does not specify a building height in the available description.
Explore the application: 512 Pembroke Street — REZ00909
2. 617 Broughton Street: Commercial Development with a Public Plaza
In downtown Victoria, a proposal at 617 Broughton Street combines commercial space with a publicly accessible plaza.
The project would introduce an additional public gathering area alongside commercial activity, potentially contributing to the pedestrian environment in this part of downtown.
Two related application records describe different building heights:
- DPV00307: 13 storeys
- REZ00911: 12 storeys
The available records do not establish which height represents the latest proposal. Readers interested in the building's final configuration should consult the application documents and subsequent municipal decisions.
Explore the applications: DPV00307 | REZ00911
3. Store Street: A Larger Vision for Mixed-Use Redevelopment
One of the broader proposals in this group involves several properties along Store Street and Chatham Street.
The application covers 1824, 1900, 1907, 1908, 1924, and 2010 Store Street, together with 530 Chatham Street.
The proposed changes would permit increased density and a wider variety of land uses, including residential development, retail, offices, cultural facilities, technology businesses, studios, and public open space.
Other uses identified in the application include assembly spaces and small-scale commercial agriculture.
What makes this proposal significant?
Unlike an application focused on a single residential building, this proposal seeks to change the planning framework for a collection of properties.
An amendment to Victoria's Official Community Plan (OCP) is required to accommodate the proposed density, building heights, and location of residential uses.
If the necessary approvals are granted, the changes could create opportunities for a broader mix of activities in this area. The eventual development would depend on the permissions granted and subsequent project decisions.
Explore the application: Store Street Redevelopment — REZ00796
4. 235 Russell Street: Rental Apartments Above Industrial Space
At 235 Russell Street, a proposed six-storey building takes a different approach to combining residential and employment uses.
The development would place rental apartments above industrial space, allowing two traditionally separate property uses to occupy the same building.
The rezoning application seeks additional density and permission for multiple-dwelling residential use.
This arrangement is noteworthy because industrial properties can face redevelopment pressure as cities grow. Combining industrial space with housing offers one possible way to introduce residential density while retaining space for industrial activity.
Whether this approach succeeds in practice depends on factors such as building design, access, noise management, and the compatibility of future industrial occupants with residential tenants.
The proposal provides an example of how mixed-use development can extend beyond the more familiar combination of apartments and ground-floor retail.
Explore the application: 235 Russell Street — REZ00881
5. 3075 Douglas Street: A Proposed 22-Storey Residential Tower
A development proposal at 3075 Douglas Street would introduce a 22-storey residential building with commercial space at ground level.
At 22 storeys, it is the tallest building described in this group of six proposals.
The project represents a more conventional form of high-density mixed-use development: concentrating residential units vertically while maintaining commercial activity along the street.
Compared with the lower-rise proposals on Russell and Chatham streets, the Douglas Street application illustrates the range of building scales being considered in Victoria.
The available application descriptions identify the proposed height and uses but do not provide enough information to establish the number of residential units or a construction schedule.
Explore the applications: REZ00899 | DPV00303
6. 517 Chatham Street: Six Storeys of Housing and Retail
Another proposal would bring a six-storey residential building with ground-floor retail to properties along Chatham and Herald streets.
The application includes:
- 517 Chatham Street
- 533 Chatham Street
- 532 Herald Street
- 536 Herald Street
Retail space would front Chatham Street, with residential uses occupying the building above.
This type of development can introduce additional housing while maintaining commercial activity at street level.
Although smaller in height than the Douglas Street tower, the proposal illustrates another approach to accommodating residential growth within an established urban area.
Explore the applications: REZ00907 | DPV00299
What These Projects Tell Us About Development in Victoria
These six proposals highlight several different approaches to accommodating growth in Victoria.
Projects on Douglas and Chatham streets emphasize residential density supported by ground-floor commercial activity. The Russell Street proposal explores the less conventional combination of rental housing and industrial space.
Meanwhile, the Pembroke and Store Street applications contemplate a broader mix of employment, residential, cultural, and community activities.
Three themes emerge:
- Housing and employment can share space. Several proposals combine residential development with commercial or industrial activities.
- Redevelopment is not limited to residential towers. Larger mixed-use proposals also contemplate cultural facilities, employment space, and public amenities.
- Planning changes shape what becomes possible. Rezoning and Official Community Plan amendments can be important steps before projects proceed to development.
These applications do not guarantee that the proposed buildings will be constructed as described. They do, however, provide a window into the types of development being considered across Victoria.
For residents, property owners, businesses, and investors, following these applications offers an opportunity to understand how individual neighbourhoods may change over time.
Application Records and Sources
This article is based on selected development application records published by the City of Victoria.
The municipal records identify these applications as ACTIVE. This designation should not be interpreted as confirmation that construction has started or that final approvals have been granted.
Source records checked: November 10, 2026.
Project descriptions reflect the information available for this edition. Individual application records may be updated as proposals move through the municipal review process.
Readers can review the original applications through the City of Victoria Development Tracker or follow the individual project links provided throughout this article.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Victoria.
