Finding inspiration from pedestrian-led town squares that dot small historic European cities, award-winning Aragon Properties sought to reinvent elements of the iconic town squares with Esquimalt Town Square. They succeeded.
“Like a European town square where people congregated and connected, we sought to keep that sense of community throughout the project,” says Luke Ramsay, development manager for Aragon Properties. “It’s been very successful with more than 85 per cent of the homes sold. Having said that, there is still a good selection of move-in ready homes available.”
Welcome to Esquimalt Town Square, where each of the one, two and three-bedroom West Coast inspired condos are enhanced by reclaimed brick feature walls. It’s just one of the design details that sets this community apart.
Esquimalt Town Square consists of two, six-storey residential buildings—The Arbutus and The Douglas—showcasing a collection of 68 homes, ranging from 915 to 1,449 square feet of distinctively sophisticated living space.
Conceived by D’Ambrosio architecture + urbanism (DAU), both buildings feature natural materials and a signature brick feature wall that seamlessly integrates with the art walk pathways and ground-floor garden terraces. The entire community is heated and cooled through a geothermal system which is both energy and cost-efficient.
For architect Franc D’Ambrosio, Esquimalt Town Square represented an opportunity “to bring new life to an important block in the Esquimalt Village Core. A heart for the Town.”
“The concept was to create a truly mixed-use redevelopment of this central Esquimalt site,” says D’Ambrosio, principal and architect, D’Ambrosio architecture + urbanism (DAU). “With both rental and condominium residences, office/workplace space, retail-commercial, food and beverage spaces as well as a new public library, the Esquimalt Town Square project has the attributes of a complete community.”
Besides the dramatic exposed reclaimed brick walls complete with linear electric fireplaces, each home features nine-foot ceilings, engineered wide plank white oak hardwood floors, custom millwork in most master bedroom closets, and select homes have large outdoor spaces of up to 1,188 sf.
The epicurean kitchens come outfitted with islands, quartz countertops with polished tile
backsplashes, islands with Kohler faucets and sinks, and a gourmet stainless steel appliance package, including a Bosch gas cooktop and wall oven, and a Fisher & Paykel fridge.
Then, enjoy your morning coffee or entertain family and friends on your patio offering Instagram-worthy views of the Salish Sea and Olympic Peninsula.
A western suburb of metropolitan Victoria, just a 15-minute drive away, Esquimalt was once not as well known as Victoria—no longer. Esquimalt is undergoing a huge revitalization and Aragon is transforming the downtown core with Esquimalt Town Square.
Esquimalt Town Square will be the new home of the Esquimalt Branch of the Victoria Public Library, and will also feature offices, a rental and commercial building, and a civic plaza. The Esquimalt Roasting Company just opened their new café in late September, and the Esquimalt Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library opens up soon. The Esquimalt Farmers Market has also been hosting part of their weekly Thursday afternoon market there since late summer.
“Inside the Mill, the Township Community Arts Council just opened their Gallery Splash! on the ground level with art installations created by local artists,” says Ramsay.
This, along with the Public Art Walk, has solidified Esquimalt Town Square’s position as a hub for artists and creative thinkers alike.
With more than three decades of excellence in building quality homes, award-winning Aragon Properties is a major player in the growth and revitalization of Esquimalt. Together with the existing civic Town Hall and the public square, the redevelopment represents the next step in the evolution of the Town of Esquimalt.
“At Aragon, we consider diverse types of housing that meet the needs of individuals and families at different stages of life,” says Ramsay. “We include spaces for living and working but also for shopping, learning, relaxing, collaborating, meeting and sharing.”
The display suites at Esquimalt Town Square are located at 501 Park Place, and are open for viewing Saturday & Sunday from 12-5 p.m. and by private appointment Monday – Wednesday. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 250-385-6665 or visit www.aragon.ca/ets.
