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Historic Victoria Church Eyes Transformation into Housing and Arts Hub
A church in Victoria, with a century-long legacy, is on the brink of a significant transformation as its ownership seeks to revitalize the property. The First Metropolitan United Church, which hosted its last service in late 2023, has merged with another congregation, leaving its historic building largely unoccupied apart from a few remaining Sunday services by other faith groups.
The United Church of Canada is now in discussions with Aryze, a development firm, to redevelop the site into a mixed-use facility featuring 130 rental units, an arts center, and revitalized church space. The proposed project aims to maintain the church’s role in the community by continuing Sunday services.
“We believe that merging housing with an arts center while preserving worship services is an innovative approach,” stated Don Evans, the director of property development for the United Church of Canada Pacific Mountain Region. “This model demonstrates successful integration and ensures the building remains active throughout the week.”
New Opportunities in Victoria’s Arts District
Chris Quigley, Aryze’s director of development, emphasized the ambition to weave this new project into Victoria’s emerging arts sector. The church is situated at the busy intersection of Quadra Street and Balmoral Road, just steps away from the Pacific Opera’s Baumann Centre and the Victoria Conservatory of Music, which is also housed in a repurposed United Church.
“The objective is to redefine the church’s involvement in the community by enhancing the cultural quarter that Quadra currently represents and could evolve into even further,” Quigley remarked. The redevelopment plan envisions a space that fosters various arts and cultural initiatives as well as increases both housing and commercial opportunities.
An essential component of the strategy is the intention to allocate some of the residential units as affordable housing aimed specifically at individuals working within the arts and culture sectors.
Zoning Challenges Ahead
Before proceeding, the proposal must navigate Victoria’s zoning approval process, which could take at least a year, according to Quigley. Similar initiatives, such as the Anglican Church of Canada’s efforts to rezone parts of the Christ Church Cathedral property for affordable housing, have faced delays in the past.
Aryze is set to host a community event later this month to share more details about the redevelopment proposal and gather public feedback.
This revitalization potentially marks a new chapter for both the historic church and the surrounding community, blending heritage with modern needs in a growing urban landscape.
Source
globalnews.ca