Nanaimo developments

[Phil McAvity]

Thanks for all the updates guys

A group of us (including Dylan) went up in March but there was zero high-rise activity although a few 6 story buildings were finishing

[Islandtime]

Originally Posted by Phil McAvity

Thanks for all the updates guys

A group of us (including Dylan) went up in March but there was zero high-rise activity although a few 6 story buildings were finishing

Nanaimo is a few years out from any meaningful highrise construction. Current construction costs aren't helping either.

The areas where some height might be achieved are the Hospital District with a new patient tower and in North Nanaimo in a proposed development called the Bowers District.

Bowers is right beside Woodgrove and with the proposed repositioning of the transit hub to, potentially, a closer proximity with the Bowers District we could see some towers. This would be due to the provincial gov upzoning areas proximate to transit hubs.

Also of note is the City of Nanaimo removing mandatory parking spaces for downtown residential construction. This would be a considerable cost saver for any downtown highrise developement.

Additionally Nanaimo will soon start construction on a new downtown transit hub which will be across the street from a large underused (and soon to be upzoned?) mall. And very close to a very large, vacant, waterfront property owned by the city.

The pieces are being put in place and now it's just waiting to see what, if anything, happens.

[Islandtime]

Developers are planning a five-storey, 95-unit condo development at 2124 Northfield Rd., just east of the Bowen Rd. intersection and immediately behind Beban Plaza featuring a grocery store, coffee shop, and other amenities.

Karl Binder, general manager of Momentum Design Build, told the City of Nanaimo’s Design Advisory Panel on Thursday, May 28, the property is geared towards a range of people either looking to get into the local housing market or downsizing.

Eight studio apartments, 17 one-bedroom, 57 two-bedroom, and 13 three-bedroom units are planned, with several also featuring dens.

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/05/29/fi...mmercial-build-planned-on-northfield-rd/

[Islandtime]

The population of Nanaimo has been estimated at 112,672 in 2025, and it is projected to reach 121,941 by 2030, according to the city’s annual state of the economy report

Nanaimo’s economic development officer Amrit Manhas told council at a recent meeting that the city’s population continues to grow, but at a slower pace than the past five years.

“This is partly due to broader provincial and federal policy changes around immigration,” she said.

“Growth has slowed from 10 per cent over the last five years to about eight per cent over the coming five years, so around 1.6 per cent annually.”

https://nanaimobulletin.com/2026/06/16/nanaimos-population-reached-more-than-112600-people-in-2025/

[Islandtime]

Parking requirements getting overhaul for new Nanaimo developments.

NANAIMO — Changes are coming to off-street parking regulations for all new forms of construction within the Harbour City.

The updated regulations will affect the number of vehicle parking spaces required for a new build, loading requirements for pick-up and drop-off areas, changes to mobility scooter and bicycle parking, and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.

Director of engineering Poul Rosen said they heard from developers who want more flexibility when planning their proposed builds.

“We’re hoping that with the parking being contextualized with fewer parking spaces required the closer you get to urban centres, and more required in suburban areas, that should be aligned with where transit and alternative modes are supported.

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/06/23/pa...g-overhaul-for-new-nanaimo-developments/

[Islandtime]

NANAIMO — City councillors have given their initial endorsement to pre-zone a number of properties in a bid to encourage more social, subsidized housing.

Unanimous support was given to the first two readings of a zoning bylaw on Monday, June 22, which would add a new Social Housing Zone designation to roughly 2,100 selected properties throughout the city.

The optional designation would allow future development to exceed zoning limits on height and density, provided certain subsidized housing targets are met, according to community planner Kasia Biegun.

“We’re recommending about seven per cent of all parcels in the city be re-zoned, or be called eligible parcels for this optional zone. Heritage properties listed in City Plan…have been excluded to address concerns raised by Council and the community, and a height limit of six stories is also being placed for the majority of the…downtown.”

Eligible developments under the option zoning would need to ensure 20 per cent of their total units were subsidized and offered for 20 per cent below market rents for comparable units.

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/06/24/it...oning-properties-for-subsidized-housing/

[Islandtime]

In an area known for its large lots, large homes, beach proximity and amazing views the City of Nanaimo is encouraging increased density.

A proposal that would see approximately 43-housing units built on a 1.14-acre lot at 2335 Departure Bay Road is being viewed favourably by Nanaimo city council...which includes the construction of a four-storey multifamily building that would face Departure Bay Road, with additional housing units located on the western part of the property facing Lynburn Crescent...Coun. Paul Manly pointed out that the City Plan has identified the Departure Bay Road corridor for increased density.

“It’s close to amenities, schools, shopping centres and this is on a transit route so this is where it makes sense to add density,” he said.

“It’s not designated as a suburban neighbourhood in our city plan"

The current single family home:


Google Earth

The proposed development:






https://nanaimobulletin.com/2026/06/30/p...ct-on-departure-bay-road-gets-thumbs-up/

[Islandtime]

BC Housing is planning to build 35 new homes at 355 Nicol Street.

The 5-storey residential apartment building will include:

35 studio homes with support services (supportive housing)
Indoor common areas
Central kitchen and laundry facilities
Reception area and office space for staff
Outdoor areas that reflect Indigenous perspectives (Indigenous plantings, a water feature and communal spaces)

http://https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/projects/nanaimo-355-nicol-street

[Islandtime]

NANAIMO — The City of Nanaimo is throwing its support behind a federal grant application for a developer-driven interchange project along the Duke Point Hwy.

Seacliff Properties, currently developing the 2,200-home mixed-use Sandstone project between Cedar and Cinnabar Valley, asked the City to provide a letter of support for a federal grant for the Duke Point interchange project to improve connections to the area.

Vice president of development with Seacliff Properties Georgia Desjardins said they’re prepared to make a “very significant investment” of capital towards an interchange, and it’s about much more than easier access to their development.

“Because the infrastructure provides benefits well beyond our project, including improved transportation efficiency, regional economic growth, and support for a federally significant port, we believe federal participation is entirely appropriate. This is a partnership: private investment delivering public infrastructure.”

She said the interchange would cost approximately $30-40M.

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/07/14/na...rt-for-duke-point-hwy-interchange-grant/

[WayneShuster]

Originally Posted by Islandtime

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/07/14/na...rt-for-duke-point-hwy-interchange-grant/

So they are going to bulldoze what appears to be coastal rainforest to build a bunch of homes?

[Islandtime]

Update

[Islandtime]

NANAIMO — An envisioned light industrial corridor through a presently forested area along the Nanaimo Parkway has taken the first of many steps forward.

City Councillors provided unanimous consent on Monday, July 27, to advance a rezoning application to public hearing for 2080 and 2160 East Wellington Rd., a project designed to create a new stretch of light industrial area between East Wellington Rd. and near the former Tourism Nanaimo building on Northfield Rd.

Mark Holland, from the Westplan Consulting Group, told Council the area would strictly be for lighter, non-polluting uses and be in line with other, similar areas of Nanaimo.

“All of the heavy industry, all of the emitting uses, are outright completely prohibited in this area. This is a light industry conversation, very similar to what you find on Boxwood…in some ways, you can imagine this as twinning Boxwood on the other side of the Parkway.”

The 25-hectare property surrounds a proposed data centre on East Wellington Rd. on three sides, then proceeds northwest towards the Northfield Rd.

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/07/28/im...n-for-new-nanaimo-light-industrial-area/

[Islandtime]

Soaring costs and minimal space shifting Nanaimo to higher-density living

NANAIMO — As the mid-Island’s population expands, increased building costs and a lack of space are shifting new home construction trends, with governments at all levels encouraging the change.

Single-family home construction has taken a back seat to higher-density builds, spurred on by government initiatives such as Bill 44 in 2023, allowing multi-unit housing on traditionally single-family lots, with the City of Nanaimo on board with four units per lot.

Jeremy Holm, the City’s Director of planning and development, said several factors have gone into this shift, felt in communities across Canada.

“The increased costs of housing both in terms of land value and materials and labour has been a challenge in many, many communities, and Nanaimo is definitely not immune from that. So between the lack of rental housing being constructed, and the cost escalation of housing, especially single-family housing, I think that’s pricing single-family homes out of a lot of people’s reach,” Holm told NanaimoNewsNOW.

While the B.C. government is pushing higher density, the City of Nanaimo has as well with its City Plan: Nanaimo Reimagined document in 2012, which includes encouraging housing and commercial density around urban centes near transit nodes.

While new, higher-density developments are being built across the city, Holm said parts of Nanaimo are seeing more builds than others, notably around the downtown, Old City Quarter, and south end neighbourhoods.

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/07/30/so...ifting-nanaimo-to-higher-density-living/