Douglas Weekly 2025

Douglas Weekly – August 19

August 19, 2025

Starlight Developments has broken ground on its Harris Green Village project. Photo: Starlight Developments.

IN THE KNOW:

Victoria’s urban development boom continues with latest groundbreaking

Starlight Developments has officially broken ground on Harris Green Village, marking the start of downtown Victoria’s largest-ever multi-family housing project. Spanning two full city blocks, this ambitious undertaking signals a substantial vote of confidence in the city’s core from one of Canada’s most active developers of purpose-built rental housing.

The Harris Green Village will be constructed in three phases and is set to deliver over 1,500 new rental homes upon completion. The first phase, which commenced last week, will see 526 rental suites added across two towers—one 20-storey and one 21-storey—at 1045 Yates Street. Of these, 80 suites are to be affordable units, directly addressing a key demand in Victoria’s rental landscape.

Once completed, expect over 100,000ft² of modern commercial and retail space, with anchor tenants Market on Yates and London Drugs remaining in brand-new storefronts. Plans include landscaped courtyards, outdoor dining, children’s play areas, dog runs, lounges, and rooftop social spaces—all emphasizing lifestyle integration and public accessibility.

Other large-scale developments already reshaping the region’s skyline and infrastructure include 25-storey residential tower The Apex at Yates, two significant projects along Pandora Avenue and Vancouver Street which will add nearly 300 new units in 2025 alone, and Bayview Place – The Pearl in Vic West, a project bringing 150 high-end units to the Inner Harbour by 2026.

Nearly 900 new homes are under construction or soon to break ground along Esquimalt Road, with several mixed-use developments expected to complete between 2025 and 2027, including Aryze’s ‘Factory Block,’ a six-storey rental and commercial project slated for 2026 occupancy.

And in Langford, Westshore Town Centre is undergoing a massive expansion, adding 200,000ft² of retail and office space, accompanied by new dining, entertainment, and multilevel parking to serve the fast-growing Westshore area.

First Nations chart new Regional Economic Strategy with landmark Co-Governance Report

More than 30 First Nations have delivered a comprehensive vision for co-governance of the Island Coastal Economic Trust in a recently released First Nations Strategic Recommendations Report.

The recommendations, formally delivered to the Trust on June 4, 2025, call for a consensus action plan that will unite First Nations governments, local governments, and the Government of British Columbia as full partners in transforming the Trust into a co-governed, permanently financed regional economic development organization.

In response, the Trust’s Board of Directors has committed to act on every recommendation, beginning by convening all partners to collaboratively build this action plan for transformation.

Authored by Vancouver Island-based Sanala Planning, the report was also presented to the Government of British Columbia. It directly supports the province’s Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan 2022-2027, including the pledge to create mechanisms that ensure First Nations are part of decision-making at the regional level.

Participating First Nations also voiced strong interest in working closely with the province to explore robust, sustainable investment models.

“This is an opportunity for the Trust and the provincial government to support Indigenous leadership, values, and priorities in shaping the future of economic development on Vancouver Island and the coast in an innovative and meaningful way,” says Ashley Wright, the Trust’s Indigenous adviser on the governance initiative. “Working together this way we can build a pathway forward that reflects shared responsibilities and a collaborative approach that benefits all communities.”

Victoria Forum 2025 tackles big challenges

From August 24 to 26 over 400 delegates will gather at the University of Victoria for the 2025 Victoria Forum.

The forum focuses on three big themes: creating a sustainable and regenerative economy, promoting fairness and social justice, and supporting peace and democracy. The goal is to speed up progress on the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before the 2030 deadline.

Renowned speakers include former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark, U.S. podcaster Nate Hagens and Canadian authors Vanessa Oliveira de Machado, Adam Kahane, and James Stauch. They’ll cover topics like protecting the environment, using digital tools to strengthen democracy, and how to move toward a low-carbon world.

The event kicks off with opening remarks from the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and features panels where people will share ideas and solutions focused on trust, teamwork, and making real change.

People can join in person or online, and registration is on a pay-what-you-can basis.

COAST launches mentorship program for companies in blue economy

COAST, the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies, has launched its first ever mentorship program tailored specifically for companies in the blue economy. The new initiative aims to accelerate innovation and growth among ocean-focused startups and small businesses by connecting them with experienced industry leaders, investors, and subject-matter experts.

Targeting entrepreneurs and emerging ventures working in sustainable ocean technology, fisheries, marine renewables, and related sectors, the mentorship program is designed to provide hands-on guidance, business development advice, and networking opportunities. By leveraging COAST’s extensive network across the Pacific region, participating companies will gain direct access to expertise and resources crucial for scaling up in a rapidly evolving global market.

Burak Evren, Director of Programming and Investment for COAST, said “We will hand-pick companies [who] are looking for ways to grow, scale, raise, hire new people and position themselves to be the next big organization in the blue economy.”

COAST’s Executive Director Jason Goldsworthy called the launch “a vital step toward unlocking the region’s potential as a leader in the sustainable blue economy,” emphasizing the program’s role in cultivating both commercial success and positive environmental impact. The inaugural cohort will officially kick off this fall, with applications now open to eligible companies.