A proposal is being made for a 12-storey mixed-use building at the site of a former corner store at Esquimalt Road and Head Street.
Public and council input is still in the works for the development, which would require a rezoning.
“In the official community plan, 12 storeys is allowed along Esquimalt Road,” said Bill Brown, Esquimalt’s director of development services.
Brown said the building envisioned would be among the tallest in Esquimalt. The Esquimalt Legion property has been approved for 12 storeys and a proposed development bordering on Constance Avenue and Admirals Road calls for 12 storeys.
The project’s proponent, Lexi Group from Vancouver, wants to have two commercial units facing Esquimalt Road on the main floor and residences above, Brown said. There is the possibility of a main-floor residential unit, as well.
The property in question extends to Wollaston Street.
Brown said there could be parking underground and below the building, due to the slope of the land. The overall parking design would be similar to that of the existing complex directly across Head Street, he said.
“As you go down the hill, you can actually design the building such that parking is underneath, and you enter off Head Street,” he said.
The building plan calls for 70 residential units, including three townhouses, Brown said. An old house at the rear of the property would be taken down.
“The designers and architects have tried to protect the street design and character of Wollaston Street by putting the tower portion as far north as possible, along Esquimalt Road,” he said. “And on the south side along Wollaston, it’s three-storey [townhouses].
Two adjacent spaces on Esquimalt Road — Esquimalt Trading Ltd. pawnbrokers and the Fraternal Order of Eagles hall — would remain.
“This is only on that one lot where the convenience store used to be,” Brown said. He noted that the 60-foot-wide lot is relatively narrow, “so this will be a very interesting design for Esquimalt.”
Neighbourhood consultation will be arranged, and the project has to be looked at by both the municipal design panel and the advisory planning commission. Brown estimated the project will be ready to come to council in April.
