Turner Site

Reimagining a long-standing community corner as a landmark mixed-use hub, anchored in the spirit of the original Turner Building.

Turner Site

Located at the intersection of Richmond Road and Birch Street in Victoria’s North Jubilee neighbourhood, the Turner Site reimagines a beloved former community node as a vibrant new mixed-use development. Designed for Empresa Properties Ltd., the project balances a respectful homage to the area’s past with an ambitious vision for its future—featuring purpose-built rental housing, animated commercial spaces, and a pedestrian-focused public realm.

 

Type

Multi-Family Home
Community
Commercial
Urban Design

Status

Building Permit Submitted 2025

Client

Empresa Properties Ltd.

Location

Victoria, BC

Size

1,493.8 sq.m. site area 6 storeys, 55 residential units

Awards

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Highlights

The proposal includes a6-storey, flatiron-style mixed-use building with 55 purpose-built rental units and vibrant ground-floor commercial space designed to reactivate the corner and surrounding neighbourhood.

A landscape-forward approach includes stormwater management strategies, enhanced boulevards, and accessible public outdoor space with seating and tree cover.

A rooftop community garden and extensive balconies provide residents with high-quality outdoor space.

The design draws inspiration from the beloved art-deco Turner building, reintroducing its iconic corner entry, bullnose form, and glazed black ceramic tile base, providing a sense of memory and local identity.

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Improving the Public Realm

Public realm improvements are central to the project, including a proposed plaza at the Birch/Richmond intersection designed in collaboration with the City of Victoria, generous pedestrian space, and space for community gathering activities such as food trucks, street performers, and farmers markets.

The development achieves a strong “neighbourhood fit” by locating its massing away from adjacent single-family homes and preserving long-term opportunities for future contextual development on neighbouring parcels.

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Architectural Expression & Sustainability

The sculptural building form is clad in high-quality metal fins that respond to changing light conditions, while the recessed ground floor lends the upper floors a “floating” lightness.

Sustainable features include full EV-ready parking, no on-site fossil fuel consumption for residential systems, and extensive secure bicycle amenities.

The site is exceptionally well-served by public transit and active transportation routes, with direct access to the AAA cycling network and proximity to major destinations like the Jubilee Hospital, downtown Victoria, and UVic. The proposal integrates CPTED principles, including passive surveillance, secured access, and careful site lighting strategies to support safety and comfort for all users.

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Architectural Expression & Sustainability

The sculptural building form is clad in high-quality metal fins that respond to changing light conditions, while the recessed ground floor lends the upper floors a “floating” lightness.

Sustainable features include full EV-ready parking, no on-site fossil fuel consumption for residential systems, and extensive secure bicycle amenities.

The site is exceptionally well-served by public transit and active transportation routes, with direct access to the AAA cycling network and proximity to major destinations like the Jubilee Hospital, downtown Victoria, and UVic. The proposal integrates CPTED principles, including passive surveillance, secured access, and careful site lighting strategies to support safety and comfort for all users.

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"This project is about re-establishing a sense of place — one that feels both familiar and fresh — at the heart of the Jubilee neighbourhood."
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The Team

Architect Cascadia Architects

Interior Design Cascadia Architects

Structural Engineer Skyline

Electrical Engineer E2

Civil Engineer JE Anderson

Mechanical Engineer Avalon

Landscape Architect Biophilia

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