Saanich council has given the green light to a 24-storey building, which is part of the fourth phase of the Uptown Shopping Centre development. This tower, located at 3440 Saanich Road, will become the district’s tallest structure. The approval came with a unanimous vote on June 10.
The development will include 318 rental units and six commercial spaces. Mayor Dean Murdock pointed out that this project is crucial for establishing the Uptown-Douglas corridor as Saanich’s downtown. He noted the area’s excellent public transit, trails, commercial services, parks, and schools, making it an ideal location for such a tall building.
The Uptown Douglas Plan, adopted in 2022, envisions transforming the area into mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods over the next 20 to 30 years. The area, currently dominated by car dealerships, businesses, and light industrial use, will see new zoning designations to encourage redevelopment into dense residential and mixed-use projects.
With council approval secured, the project can now proceed to the technical stages, including securing construction permits, before breaking ground. This approval comes after the district made moves to streamline development applications in the Uptown-Douglas area.
