The last 11 suites of Uptown Place’s phase two are all that remains for one of the most central developments in Greater Victoria.
Technically, the Uptown shopping centre and surrounding area fall in the Mount View and Colquitz neighbourhoods but time changes everything, and the name Uptown seems here to stick.
“We’re finding people consider this region the Uptown region, and the centrality of Uptown Place is so much that I would personally prefer to call this spot Central City,” said Tri Eagle marketing development co-ordinator Oliver Tennant. “The reason is, we have buyers who have come specifically to this area for its equidistant commutes from all parts of Greater Victoria”
Phase two of the two-building development is set for a mid to late August move-in date with 27 of the 38 suites sold. All that’s left are two bedroom, two bathroom suites ranging in price from $370,000 to $440,000, depending on size and layout.
The expansive, underground bike storage of the first building is already full, showcasing the building’s immediate access to the Lochside and Galloping Goose trails.
Uptown Place is a joint development between the Jawl brothers, Mike and Dave, and the Lee family that runs Tri Eagle.
The initial concern for nearly all potential buyers at Uptown Place is the noise pollution, as the pair of four-storey buildings stand over the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17).
But a site visit does a lot to ease concerns over noise. Yes, the eastside of the building overlooks the Pat Bay Highway and Saanich Fire Department. But when sitting, only the views of Swan Lake and Mount Douglas Park show up in the horizon. Traffic noise on the east side is also greatly reduced by natural barriers such as trees and shrubs, as well as a five-latch vapour barrier and heavily glazed window on the door to the balcony.
“It’s more view than anything,” said Tennant. “[The highway] is a sound creator but we’ve done a lot to work around it to maximize the view. There’s a water feature to create a natural background noise and among the environmental noise barriers are five rain gardens with native plants.”
There’s also considerable noise reduction in the walls and floors, Tennant said.
The southward views from the fourth (top) floor include downtown, the ocean and the Olympic mountains.
Uptown Place was just nominated by the Victoria Residential Builders Association for three CARE awards (Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence), in the categories of Best Condominium Project or Mixed-Use Development, Best Landscape and Best Sales Centre/Showroom.
The Gold winners will be announced at the CARE Awards gala on Oct. 17 at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The public will select the winner of the People’s Choice Award from finalist photos displayed at Hillside Centre Sept. 4-18, and online at www.careawards.ca from Aug. 24 to Sept. 27.
Voters are entered to win a stay at Long Beach Lodge Resort, www.longbeachlodgeresort.com, 2002 CARE Awards Project of the Year.
reporter@saanichnews.com