Adaptive reuse of the First Metropolitan Church and Lands at 934 Balmoral / 1701 Quadra.
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.
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
14,722 sf
Addition Floor Area
3,577 sf
Total Floor Area
18,299 sf
North Setback (Rear)
5.65m
West Setback (Side)
2.95m
Height
6 Storeys
Floor Area
88,734 sf
Residential Floor Area
85,837 sf
North Setback (Rear)
5.30m
South Setback (Front)
4.22m
East Setback (Side)
6.70m
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
47,790 sf
Total Floor Area
107,033 sf
FSR
2.24
Site Coverage
66%
Car Parking Stalls
54
Short-term Bike Stalls
35
Long-term Bike Stalls
161
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
View from a balcony of the new residential building
Night view of the church redevelopment, looking south
Public space between the church and residential building, looking north
View from Quadra Street, looking south east
Residential building, looking north
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.
Legend
Subject Site
Bus Stop
Car Share
AAA Protected Bike Lane
Painted Bike Lane
AAA Shared-use Street
Parks
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 community@aryze.ca.