Adaptive reuse of the First Metropolitan Church and Lands at 934 Balmoral / 1701 Quadra.
First Metropolitan Lands
Location
934 Balmoral
Type
Arts Centre & Mixed-Use Rental
Tenure
Pupose-Built Rental
Status
In Developement
The Property Development Council of the United Church of Canada and Aryze have established a partnership to adaptively reuse the First Metropolitan Church at the corner of 934 Balmoral and 1701 Quadra, and redevelop the surrounding lands to create a new signature facility for faith, arts and culture groups, along with a new mixed-use purpose-built rental building.
This transformative urban renewal initiative marks a major investment in Victoria’s Downtown Core that will stimulate economic growth, support local jobs and strengthen Victoria’s position as a leader in the arts and culture sector.
Project Team
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Partnership
Aryze Developments
We are a dedicated team of home builders, urban planners and urbanists, all deeply committed to increasing the quality of homes across Greater Victoria and beyond. Our journey as home builders is reflected in each of our projects, and the collective experience of our team.
Pacific Mountain Regional Council
We are a council of membership of The United Church of Canada, covering most of BC. Through staffing, finance, advice, advocacy and resources, the work of the regional council is to support Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities of faith and ministries in making a difference in the world.
Vision
Reinvigorating the First Metropolitan Lands
As proposed, the historic 1913 sanctuary will be re-envisioned and upgraded to offer rehearsal, performance, worship and gathering spaces, ensuring the valued heritage building continues to serve the community as it has for more than 100 years. Adjacent to the church at 934 Balmoral Road, plans include a mixed-use, purpose-built rental building that will deliver 128 homes blended between market-rate and affordable homes, alongside thoughtfully integrated commercial and community spaces.
Project Pillars
Community Beacon for Worship, Arts & Culture
The adaptive reuse of this heritage church building presents a unique opportunity to preserve history, revitalize the community and create a vibrant and inclusive space for various arts and faith based organizations.
Restore and Renovate a Heritage Asset
Through thoughtful interventions—such as structural restoration, modernized facilities and optimized interior layouts, the cultural and architectural value of the existing building will be retained while adapting to the evolving needs of the people it serves.
Pedestrian Connections and New Urban Spaces
The introduction of new prominent commercial space along Balmoral and live-work homes throughout the central courtyard will bring retail facilities to a growing community, supporting daily activation of the Balmoral/Quadra streetscape.
Thoughtful Design
The redevelopment plan for the church involves the preservation and retention of the church's core structure. Restoration work will focus on replacing missing or deteriorated original materials and elements within the retained structures to ensure historical integrity.
Area Context
Quadra Cultural Corridor
Located at the intersection of Quadra Street and Balmoral Road, the subject site sits at the heart of Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood—an urban district characterized by its eclectic mix of uses, community institutions and evolving cultural vibrancy. Just north of downtown Victoria, North Park has emerged as a strategic growth area, identified in the North Park Neighbourhood Plan (2022) and Official Community Plan (OCP) as a priority location for mixed-use development, cultural programming and inclusive housing.
North Park is home to a number of key arts and cultural institutions that elevate its role as a civic cultural hub. The Baumann Centre, home to Pacific Opera Victoria, and the adjacent Victoria Conservatory of Music, provide music education, performance and community programming that draw visitors, students and artists into the area daily. Together, with other local creative spaces, these venues reinforce Quadra Street’s identity as a vibrant arts and cultural corridor.
Site Context & History
The subject site at 934 Balmoral Road / 1701 Quadra Street is home to First Metropolitan United Church.
This land holds both cultural and historical significance as it resides on the traditional territory of the Ləkwəŋən peoples [pronounced: Le-KWUNG-en] and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples [pronounced: wh-SAY-nech] whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
The church is significant for its Edwardian-era architecture, reflecting the social and economic transitions in the North Park neighborhood before World War I. It was built during a time of rapid growth, with Quadra Street emerging as a major commercial area. The church’s robust design symbolizes the optimism of the era and serves as a prominent example of Edwardian-era places of worship in Victoria.
As part of a broader group of historic buildings in downtown Victoria and North Park, the church exemplifies the importance of religious institutions in civic life, contributing to the area's architectural landscape. Its size and design, with brick and stone elevations, complement nearby religious landmarks and define the urban fabric of the area.
Project at a Glance
Height of Addition
1 Storey
Heritage Building Floor Area
13,370 sf
Addition Floor Area
5,213 sf
Total Floor Area
18,583 sf
North Setback (Rear)
5.65m
West Setback (Side)
2.95m
Height
6 Storeys
Floor Area
89,848 sf
Residential Floor Area
86,882 sf
North Setback (Rear)
5.16m
South Setback (Front)
3.64m
East Setback (Side)
6.39m
Number of Homes
129 Homes
Residential Tenure
Rental
Live-Work + Ground Oriented Lofts
7 + 12 Homes
Studios
40 Homes
One Bedroom
38 Homes
Two Bedroom
24 Homes
Three Bedroom
8 Homes
Site Area
47,817 sf
Total Floor Area
108,465 sf
FSR
2.27
Site Coverage
69%
Car Parking Stalls
55
Short-term Bike Stalls
37
Long-term Bike Stalls
162
Design Strategy
Adaptive Reuse & Multi-Purpose Residential
The design approach to the adaptive reuse centres on preserving the architectural integrity of the heritage church while reimagining it as a vibrant and accessible community hub. A contemporary north addition is introduced as a clear yet complementary intervention that enhances the site’s functionality without compromising its historical character. Guided by the principle of distinctiveness, the addition maintains a deliberate separation from the existing structure in accordance with Parks Canada’s Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places. Its transparent, timeless form contrasts with the original architecture while respecting its scale, materiality and rhythm.
View along Balmoral, looking north
Night view of the church redevelopment, looking south
View from a balcony of the new residential building
Public space between the church and residential building, looking north
Residential building, looking north
Inner view of the courtyard
View from Quadra Street, looking south east
Site Plan
The First Metropolitan United Church
As a prominent landmark, the existing First Metropolitan United Church is the primary organizing element of the overall site plan, its presence serving both a cultural and functional role. The building is adapted to support future arts and cultural programming, with the sanctuary space retained as a large, flexible gathering area.
The North Addition
The North Addition is positioned to provide the primary public and accessible entry point into the church. Located at grade along the north edge of the site, it functions as a key connector between the exterior public realm and the church’s interior. The addition includes a community gathering area, a stage for performances, a shared-use kitchen and accessible washrooms—all supporting the flexible use of the sanctuary as a cultural venue.
The East Addition
The East Addition is located at the rear of the church and supports both operational needs for the church and the broader development while serving as a secondary face and entry point to the building. At grade, it serves a dual function: first, as a discreet loading bay for the arts and culture space, facilitating deliveries and technical support; and second, as a stage that opens directly onto the central mews and adjacent street, enabling outdoor performances and cultural events. This dual-use design allows for maximum flexibility while maintaining a compact footprint.
Courtyard Residences
The Courtyard Residences are positioned around a south-facing, landscaped courtyard that serves as both the main entry sequence for the building and a key outdoor social space for residents. Live-work loft units will animate the courtyard space with residential and commercial activity, while the organization of the building lobby and supporting pedestrian connections will further promote casual engagement between residents and visitors.
Mobility Context
The site is situated at the corner of Quadra Street, a two-way north–south street classified by the City of Victoria as an arterial road, and Balmoral Road, an east–west secondary collector road. From the property’s doorstep, there are diverse walking options, bus and cycling routes—including a section of a AAA protected bike path and a shared-use cycling corridor only 200 metres away.
98 – Walk Score
“Walker’s Paradise”
97 – Bike Score
“Biker’s Paradise”
92 – Transit Score
“Rider’s Paradise”
Transit Network
The site is well served by public transit, with bus stops on the same block of Quadra Street and further regional transit connections to most points in the Capital Regional District being accessible within an 800m (10 minute) walking distance of the development.
Nearby roadways surrounding the site offer 17 transit services in a north-south direction from Quadra Street, Cook Street and Douglas Street, all within 550m of the property. In an east-west direction, 19 bus routes currently operate across the nearby road network on Pandora Avenue, Johnson Street and Yates Street, all within 500m of the property.
Cycling and Pedestrian Networks
The site is well connected to a series of prominent cycle networks, including Vancouver Street, a major north-south cycling route recently upgraded into an All Ages and Abilities (AAA) network facility, situated 200m west of the property. East-west cycling connections are served by Pandora Avenue, another AAA cycling route only 150m south of the property. Both cycling routes provide safe connections to the wider regional cycling network, including but not limited to the E&N Rail Trail, the Galloping Goose Trail, and the Lochside Trail.
Subject Site
Bus Stop
Car Share
AAA Protected Bike Lane
Painted Bike Lane
AAA Shared-use Street
Parks
Step 1
Pre-Design Consultation
Step 2
Design Development
Step 3
Rezoning/DP Application
Step 4
Municipal Staff Review
Step 5
Advisory Design Panel
Step 6
Committee of the Whole
Step 7
Public Hearing
Step 8
Building Permit
Step 9
Building Construction
Step 10
Tenant Occupancy
Register Now
We are committed to being good neighbours and having honest, open dialogues within the communities where we do our work.
We are available to discuss project details with neighbours and stakeholders to build trust and shared vision for the project.
Register to learn more about the proposal and stay informed throughout the approval process or get in touch with us directly at ccoommmmuunniittyy@@aarryyzzee..ccaa.