1043 Meares

The building is carefully massed to minimize impacts on adjacent properties while providing high-quality homes with generous balconies, patios, and rooftop gardens. Its material palette of warm grey cladding, patterned balcony glass, and refined cementitious and metal finishes creates a timeless expression suited to its setting.

The project incorporates the legacy of Victoria-born sculptor Elza Mayhew, whose modernist reliefs and murals informed the design of the patterned balcony glass. This integration of public art into the building’s façade creates a unique cultural connection, while enriching the streetscape with texture, rhythm, and local identity.

Exterior finishes emphasize long-term durability and elegance, combining panelized grey cladding, cementitious surfaces, and full-height glazing. Custom-patterned balcony glass adds a layer of texture and relates visually to the surrounding architecture.

The ground-level live/work unit adds street activity, while thoughtful landscaping, setbacks, and tree planting create a sensitive transition to neighbouring residential buildings. Balconies and patios provide “eyes on the street,” reinforcing neighbourhood safety and connection.

The rooftop garden provides space for social gathering, food production, and relaxation. Additional features include accessible units, a bike kitchen, and pet-friendly amenities like a dog wash station.

Located within blocks of Victoria’s AAA cycling network, the project goes above code with bicycle storage, cargo bike stalls, a bike kitchen, and repair/wash stations. A comprehensive “Car-Free Incentive Package” encourages residents to embrace sustainable transportation over vehicle ownership.

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