Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1174518
OCTOBER 2019 | 41 Belmont Residences RENDERINGS COURTESY RLA ARCHITECTS INC. Belmont Residences by LAURA WALKER W ith the first two phases – Crossing at Belmont and Belmont Residences West – in line to open before the end of March 2020, #MyBelmont will welcome buy- ers and renters alike to urban living in a natural setting. "We believe that it's the perfect mix of nature, home, and amenities," says Marcela Corzo of Ledcor Properties Inc., who explains that Belmont Residences are part of a planned mas- terplan community project called #MyBelmont. The buildings are devel- oped next to 160,000 square feet of retail and commercial shops known as the Belmont Market, all situated alongside the park-like setting of the Galloping Goose Trail – a pedestrian commuter trail that runs throughout Greater Victoria, B.C. Eric Gerlach of Ledcor Properties Inc. explains that the project was brought together through a co-opera- tion between Crombie REIT, responsible for the development of the commercial aspects of #MyBelmont, and Ledcor Property Investments Ltd., which is responsible for the development of the residential side of the project. Together, the two parties are "revitalizing what used to be an old school site of Belmont High School, to create a very modern and multi-faceted, mixed-use master- plan community." The design philosophy was taken to integrate seamlessly with the proposed masterplan. "Phase one includes two five-storey, mixed-use buildings with four storeys of rental housing on top of a ground level of commercial," explains Greg Voute of RLA Architects Inc. The commercial level was distinctly separated from the residential above to bring down the scale of the storefronts and blend with other one-level commer- cials in Belmont Market. "Phase Two includes two buildings of market strata condominiums," adds Voute. The project's form and charac- ter are a response to the Belmont Market design guidelines, which envisioned a rural contemporary style. "We used modern contem- porary forms with clean lines in combination with natural materials, which are more common to the rural environments," explains Voute. The buildings' exteriors feature Hardie shingle and lap siding with some brick veneer, as well as alu- minum and vinyl for the windows, explains Daniel Behrens of Knappett Projects Inc. Inside, the buildings offer a West Coast contemporary style. "We were influenced by the natural environment outside the building – think natural-looking wood tones and the colour of natural basalt," explains Lisa Perry of i3 Design Group Ltd. "Because the Galloping Goose Trail is located alongside the project, we really wanted to create that feeling of bringing the outdoors in," says Perry, who notes that large-scale, stone- like plank floor tile of various widths and wall panelling made of reclaimed wood in a block pattern offer texture and a natural feel within the lobby at Belmont Residences West. The suites utilize porcelain tiles reminiscent of stone and wood planks in the kitchen backsplashes, as well as hexagon mosaic tiles in the ensuite bathrooms. The residences also fea- ture laminate flooring in suites that "has a chatter look texture for a natural rustic look," says Perry. "It has a matte finish which is friendly and a little more casual." Each unit pulls in an abundance of natural light and offers fresh, natural colours with two-toned kitchens in the residences offering both a white and a grey option to pair with a warm golden- walnut wood tone, explains Perry. Beyond inspiring an active outdoor lifestyle with its esthetic design, Corzo explains that Belmont Residences also provide function and utility for its residents, with buildings including features like kayak storage and a bike- sharing program. The buildings also offer environ- mentally conscious features, such as electric car charging stations incor- porated into the basement areas and on-site well-water for landscape irrigation. Further, each tenant is empowered to understand their elec- tricity and water consumption in real-time via an online portal. Together, Belmont Residences offers contemporary style, functional design, and access to urban living and an outdoor lifestyle within one convenient location. These are char- acteristics that will beckon to many, suggests Gerlach. "We're building a community to attract people across a wide range of demographics. From empty nesters to Millennials." A LOCATION 940, 945 and 955 Reunion Ave, Langford, B.C. OWNER/DEVELOPER Ledcor Property Investments Ltd. ARCHITECT RLA Architects Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Knappett Projects Inc. STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT RJC Engineers MECHANICAL CONSULTANT ByCar Engineering ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Nemetz (S/A) & Associates LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Connect Landscape Architecture INTERIOR DESIGN i3 Design Group Ltd. TOTAL SIZE 216,000 square feet TOTAL COST $75 million 2:02 PM 3:54 PM