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Unique $88 million retirement housing project launched in Victoria

Harbourside community downtown being developed by Vancouver-based Element Lifestyle Retirement


The first B.C. retirement housing project to combine rentals and condominiums with an intergenerational concept has started construction in Victoria. 

Aquara by Element is an $88 million, harbourside community downtown being developed by Vancouver-based Element Lifestyle Retirement. It is part of the Bayview master plan community in the Songhees area of Victoria West. 

“A key part of our approach is community consultation to gather feedback from prospective residents and their families,” said Element vice-president Candy Ho

At full build-out, Aquara by Element will have 157 suites with 47 homes, 75 rental suites, and 35 suites providing licensed care. More than 120 of the homes will be independent and supportive-living suites. 

Aquara sold or received rental reservations on 20 per cent of available condos and rentals at a pre-launch event in early August.

“[Our] intergenerational approach creates the comforts of home within a vibrant gathering place,” said Ho. Element recently won an international award for its intergenerational vision for Oasis by Element, a $200 million retirement village in Langley, currently in the approval stage.

The 153,500-square-foot Aquara will include approximately 30,000 square feet of indoor and additional outdoor terrace, patios and rooftop garden for residents. The project will be completed late 2021. 

Element Lifestyle (Vic Harbour West) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Element Lifestyle Retirement Inc., is the general partner of Aquara LP, the property owner. It is anticipated that the construction costs will be financed through a combination of debt and limited partnership funding.