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J U N E 2 0 2 5 | 59 R EN D ER I N G + P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y D E VO N P RO P ERT I E S LT D. THE WEDGE by NATALIE BRUCKNER I n a city where history and natu- ral beauty define the landscape, some buildings arrive not merely as structures, but as punctuation marks in the ongoing conversation between the past and the future. The Wedge in Victoria, B.C., is one such landmark – an architectural tour de force that defies conven- tion and demands attention. Rising 17 storeys into the sky, it's far more than a purpose-built rental tower; it's a bold testament to design innovation, a striking statement that celebrates the uniqueness and charm of Victoria. With its sharply angled 'wedge' shape, the structure seems to hover above its foundation. While it stands apart in both form and vision, it echoes the surrounding land- scape's spirit, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty and heritage that have shaped this coastal city. Designed with an emphasis on lux- ury and legacy, The Wedge offers 93 high-end rental residences, includ- ing two large penthouses (1,900 and 1,500 square feet) with sweeping views of Mount Baker and the Pacific Ocean. But this striking achievement didn't materialize overnight; it's the result of years of careful planning, design, and collaboration, bring- ing together the city's rich history with the promise of what's to come. Located on the former McCall Bros. funeral home site, the devel- opment thoughtfully preserves the iconic chapel (designed by John Di Castri) in a landscaped garden setting. The site was acquired by Cox Developments back in 2014, when it was still operating as a funeral home. Across the street, a parking lot had already been zoned for residential use, prompting Cox Developments to construct two towers while planning the funeral home site's transfor- mation. The rezoning process took from 2017 to late 2019, and Dan Cox, owner of Cox Developments, anticipated a break before moving forward. Instead, the next phase arrived sooner than expected. In the midst of the pandemic, an unexpected opportunity arose when a financier from a previous project reached out. "Two days later, he came back with a letter of intent to finance it on very favourable terms. That was the green light," explains Cox. The site itself posed both chal- lenges and opportunities. "The adjacent property, a cleared and level site slated for a future residential tower, proved especially useful dur- ing early construction. Our client, Dan Cox, successfully negotiated tem- porary use of this neighbouring lot as a laydown and staging area. This arrangement significantly supported our operations through excavation and foundation work," says Trevor Weber, owner at Blackrete Builders Inc. "Once we reached grade, we transitioned the remainder of con- struction activities back onto The Wedge site, maintaining efficiency and minimizing logistical con- straints throughout the build." Douglas Austin, architect and owner at AVRP Studios, was brought onboard and embraced the proj- ect's complexities with enthusiasm. To preserve the chapel built in 1951 and maximize the site's poten- tial, the building's design became a showcase for inventive problem- solving. The base was pulled back to give the chapel breathing room, and the building above was pushed outward and upward, creating a wedge-like form that seems to lean into the future. "It kind of grows as it rises, almost cantilevering out," says Austin. Cox and Austin pushed each other creatively throughout the pro- cess. "He is incredibly talented and creative, and we challenged each other in a good way," says Cox. Design inspiration came not only from the chapel but also from Victoria itself. "The city has this beautiful her- itage; lush gardens and thoughtful buildings," says Austin. "We wanted The Wedge to be part of that fab- ric, not just another box in the sky." That philosophy carried through to the smallest details. Take the single-level retail podium, which was conceived as a planter. "The idea was a building in a garden," says Austin. "We imagined green- ery cascading from balconies and lush planting around the pent- houses on the rooftop deck." The angled façade wasn't just about aesthetics, it was intentional. The Wedge's massing strategy allowed for higher density on the upper floors, reclaiming space lost at the base. "We also knew another building was going up behind us, so we angled the north side to preserve as many view corridors as possible," Cox explains. "Only one unit directly faces that future tower, and it still gets a view." Materials and systems were selected with performance and sus- tainability in mind. "The exterior of the building slopes 22 degrees. The glazing system is curtain wall, which is superior to window wall," Weber explains. The building's roof is also slated to possibly include a solar panel array, which would make it one of the first installations of its scale on Vancouver Island. Inside, the units carry the same architectural DNA, something Cox is extremely proud of. "From day one, I told the architect: 'I'm very partic- ular,'" he says. "I care deeply about complete design, not just curb appeal. Every square foot matters. Where your kitchen goes, where the T V fits The Wedge LOCATION 952 Johnson Street, Victoria, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER Cox Developments ARCHITECT AVRP Studios CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Blackrete Builders Inc. STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT RJC Engineers MECHANICAL CONSULTANT TH Engineering ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT WSP TOTAL SIZE 110,000 square feet TOTAL COST Undisclosed

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