Nanaimo developments

[VantageHD]

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

What's downtown Nanaimo like these days, especially within a ten or twenty minute walk from the Gabriola ferry? I understand that there are some significant issues in the city, but if one is coming across from Gabriola as a pedestrian, how does it compare to downtown Vancouver? (I'm not suggesting I've heard it's worse; Vancouver's what I know, so it's a good comparison for me.)

I was in Nanaimo for the first time in September. Stayed downtown and was impressed. We spent the day walking around eating and drinking and had a blast. Felt very laidback and relaxing as we noticed how little traffic there was in the core. They did a good job routing it around the downtown. As for druggies it wasn't an issue for us. Obviously there was a few but not nearly as many as I was expecting.

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by VantageHD

I was in Nanaimo for the first time in September. Stayed downtown and was impressed. We spent the day walking around eating and drinking and had a blast. Felt very laidback and relaxing as we noticed how little traffic there was in the core. They did a good job routing it around the downtown. As for druggies it wasn't an issue for us. Obviously there was a few but not nearly as many as I was expecting...

Thanks for the images and the description. We've spent quite a bit of time over the years in Nanaimo, and we like the city; we're planning to be there more frequently going forward. I'm just looking to filter through the noise and hyperbole one finds online, and get a sense of what downtown is actually like.

[gaviscon]

The only downside to Nanaimo is the public transit. It's not reliable in the least.
I might consider moving there if they actually get the LRT proposal running though. The city has so much untapped potential.

[Islandtime]

Originally Posted by gaviscon

The only downside to Nanaimo is the public transit. It's not reliable in the least.
I might consider moving there if they actually get the LRT proposal running though. The city has so much untapped potential.

No LRT is envisioned for Nanaimo any time soon. What is happening is a new RTN, Rapid Transit Network, and downtown transit exchange.

There is no Light Rail Transit (LRT) system currently in Nanaimo, but the city has a bus-based rapid transit system called the Rapid Transit Network (RTN) and is exploring future possibilities for rail on the Island Rail Corridor. BC Transit operates the regional bus system, which is undergoing changes and improvements to its payment and routing options.

Current transit in Nanaimo

Bus system: The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) transit system is a bus network that includes the Rapid Transit Network (RTN).
RTN: This network uses high-capacity buses and has frequent service on key routes, with potential for future improvements like dedicated bus lanes.
Downtown Transit Exchange: The city is developing a new downtown transit exchange to improve the bus system's efficiency and accessibility.

Conceptual views of new downtown transit exchange







Downtown Transit Exchange FAQs

https://www.nanaimo.ca/your-government/projects/downtown-transit-exchange-faqs

[Islandtime]

More info on the A&B Sound building, now Soundworks.

Steiner likens it to a modernized offshoot of Granville Island. The ground floor will be home to food outlets with a local focus, with more commercial space on the upper level.

“It’s better suited for studios,” Steiner says. “Maybe something fitness-related. People do an activity upstairs and then come down for food and drinks.”

The corner has long been an eyesore for locals Bruce Gerrish and Jane Bockman, who have walked past the murals covering boarded-up windows for 17 years.

“All the improvements are very hopeful,” says Gerrish.

“We want energy in the city, stuff to happen, downtown to feel vital,” Bockman adds.

And it will be, thanks to a mix of local and national tenants, food trucks, and new businesses finding their first bricks-and-mortar home.

Video Link

https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/87C13E0l

CHEK News
Nanaimos ab sound building will be hub for downtown renaissance

[Islandtime]

South Nanaimo family-geared affordable housing complex approved

NANAIMO — A Chase River affordable housing project is advancing after City Council approved a development permit for a 42-unit complex.

The unanimous endorsement from Council was made during the Monday, Dec. 1, meeting, for a project in the conceptual stage for several years.

To be located at 1435 Cranberry Ave., the six-storey complex primarily benefiting families ranges from studio to three-bedroom units in partnership between BC Housing and Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Twenty-two units will be split between two and three-bedroom spaces, according to a City staff report.

Full story:
nanaimo news now

[Islandtime]

Much needed new industrial space proposed.

The proposed project is a multi-unit industrial building, consisting of warehouse units on the
lower floor, served by industrial showrooms and office space on the upper 2 stories. The site is
currently undeveloped and zoned I2, with slopes down towards the south rear property line.
The building is 2 stories on the front and 3 on the rear. The proposed development has 18% site
coverage, with 1 222 m2 of building footprint.

City of Nanaimo
https://www.nanaimo.ca/

[Islandtime]

[Islandtime]

An article in Nanaimo News Now

Top Stories of 2025: Continuous development alters Nanaimo’s landscape
Dec 20, 2025 | 10:58 AM

NANAIMO — It was yet another brisk year in the Harbour City for construction, with several multi-unit housing projects among several offerings moving forward.

With multiple infill projects in the downtown and surrounding area moving ahead, two initiatives headline the list of impactful projects to densify Nanaimo’s downtown core.

Full article: https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2025/12/20/to...s-development-alters-nanaimos-landscape/

[Islandtime]

The proposal is for a 4 storey residential building providing 4 studios, 12 one bedrooms, 30 two bedrooms, and 2
three bedrooms for a total of 48 units. An indoor and exterior roof top amenity space will be provided on Level 5.
Parking will be provided on both the surface and below building.

https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development

[Islandtime]

The proposed development is two five-storey medical office buildings (Parkview and Keystone), one with commercial retail units on the ground floor. The proposed Keystone Medical Centre has a gross floor area of 2,074m2 and the proposed Parkview Medical Centre has a gross floor area of 3,135m2.

https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development

[Islandtime]

[The Great Scaper]

Cool updates. Thanks. I drove by Nanaimo twice this last week when I went to Port Alberni. Did the bypass on the Island Highway.

[Islandtime]

Originally Posted by The Great Scaper

Cool updates. Thanks. I drove by Nanaimo twice this last week when I went to Port Alberni. Did the bypass on the Island Highway.

You have a nice view of Nanaimo from that bypass.

[The Great Scaper]

Originally Posted by Islandtime

You have a nice view of Nanaimo from that bypass.

I saw that when I drove by. hahaha

[Islandtime]

Oceanview

[Islandtime]

VIU tower

[Islandtime]

As posted above the VIU tower is a hybrid mass timber structure. The VIU tower is similar to Brock Commons at UBC but on a smaller scale at 10 storeys vs 18.

Part of the University of British Columbia’s Point Grey Campus, the aptly-named Brock Commons Tallwood House in Vancouver is the tallest mass timber building in the country, at 174 feet tall.

Designed by Acton Ostry Architects, this 18-story student housing building—capable of housing just over 400 students—was considered the tallest mass timber structure in the world when it first opened in 2017.


Brock Commons
https://ubcproperties.com/project/brock-commons-tallwood-house-student-residence/


A list of the worlds tallest mass timber buildings:

This article highlights 25 tallest completed mass timber buildings from around the world, as compiled using data gathered by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats.

[Dylan Leblanc]

Originally Posted by Islandtime

https://www.nanaimo.ca/property-development

^ Wow that's great!

Originally Posted by Islandtime

What is this? A Photoshop or some sort of AI job to extend the height of the building?

[Islandtime]

Originally Posted by Dylan Leblanc

^ Wow that's great!




What is this? A Photoshop or some sort of AI job to extend the height of the building?

Funny. I noticed that too, but it's a legit shot. If I have the time I'll do another perspective.