Developers have unveiled plans for a massive new project along the Oak Bay waterfront, called Butchart Point.
The sweeping development is pitched for a property right next to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, across from the Victoria Golf Club, with new towers and hundreds of new condos.
On 6.1 acres, there would be three towers with 568 units. In a brochure from Sotheby’s International Realty, the plan is touted as responding to the region’s growing housing demand.
The plan includes a public beach, a locally run coffee shop, even talk of a seasonal farmers market. Plus a big pool.
“It is a massive proposal, I have to say, for that part of the waterfront,” said Oak Bay Coun. Cairine Green.
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The site used to be home to the Stone House, known as “Butchart House,” after the Butchart family who owned the property for decades. It’s now gone, demolished in late 2024.
New owners bought the property and the property next door at 1101 Beach Dr. two years ago.
Both lots sold for a combined total of $20-million, and now the new owner has some ambitious plans, according to Green.
“Any massive development like this will put pressure on local services, and I’m thinking fire protection, emergency services, traffic. There is a lot going on with that proposal. I’m also thinking about infrastructure,” Green said.
The project is proposed for a property that has not seen new construction in more than a century.
The property proposed for the Butchart Point development is shown. (Sotheby’s International Realty)
A rendering included in Sotheby’s International Realty’s brochure for Butchart Point is shown. (Sotheby’s International Realty)
A rendering included in Sotheby’s International Realty’s brochure for Butchart Point is shown. (Sotheby’s International Realty)
Oak Bay residents walking by the site on Tuesday said the district needs more housing.
Liza Weymar has lived in Oak Bay since 2007.
“I really don’t have a problem with it. I think housing is so hard in Victoria right now, and if it’s done well, why not?” Weymar said.
CHEK News did reach out to Sotheby’s for comment but did not hear back.
“I’m not sure this is a family-oriented proposal. It’s probably not in that category because of the location, scale, the massing. And it does look like a small Empress Hotel, actually, doesn’t it?” Green said.
Like all ambitious development plans, there are several steps the developer will have to take before this becomes reality.
Step one is putting the project on Oak Bay’s radar.
According to the district, an application has been received and it’s now before its planning department.
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