Coastal living within a sustainable waterfront community—in partnership with Songhees First Nation
In Development
951 Beach
A Co-Development Partnership
Songhees First Nation and Aryze have established a joint venture to reenvision one of South Oak Bay’s most prominent waterfront sites.
The proposed development at 951 Beach Drive serves as a strategic economic development investment, where the Nation participates as a financial partner alongside Aryze—sharing in project decisions, responsibilities and returns that support the Nation’s priorities. The property remains privately owned within the District of Oak Bay and the partnership is structured entirely around shared investment and shared benefit.
This partnership represents meaningful reconciliation in practice—generating long-term returns that fund the Nation’s economic sovereignty while contributing to housing supply, investment and community development across the region.
Project Team
Project Vision
A coastal living experience within a sustainable waterfront community.
Co-developed by Songhees First Nation and Aryze, 951 Beach Drive is envisioned as a landmark coastal community—designed to enrich the fabric of South Oak Bay through unmatched architectural quality and a sophisticated living experience.
At its core, the proposal prioritizes human connection and vibrancy, creating a living experience that integrates seamlessly with the natural beauty of the waterfront. The project provides meaningful housing choice for those wishing to remain rooted in their community, offering an unparalleled connection to the surrounding seascape and curated amenities designed to celebrate the very best of coastal living.
Structured around shared capital, shared decisions and shared benefit, this partnership represents meaningful reconciliation in practice—generating long-term economic benefit that supports Songhees Nation’s sovereignty while contributing to housing supply, investment and community development across the region. Co-developed by Songhees First Nation and Aryze, 951 Beach Drive is envisioned as a landmark coastal community—designed to enrich the fabric of South Oak Bay through unmatched architectural quality and a sophisticated living experience.
At its core, the proposal prioritizes human connection and vibrancy, creating a living experience that integrates seamlessly with the natural beauty of the waterfront. The project provides meaningful housing choice for those wishing to remain rooted in their community, offering an unparalleled connection to the surrounding seascape and curated amenities designed to celebrate the very best of coastal living.
Structured around shared capital, shared decisions and shared benefit, this partnership represents meaningful reconciliation in practice—generating long-term economic benefit that supports Songhees Nation’s sovereignty while contributing to housing supply, investment and community development across the region.
Project Principles
A Living Shoreline
Prioritizing new public pathways and gathering spaces that enable direct water access to residents and neighbours.
Restoring a naturalized, ecologically healthy shoreline—replacing hardened edges with native plantings and habitat features.
Celebrating active transportation links and a walkable, water-facing public realm.
Design Sensibility
Architecture that exhibits a tiered silhouette, following the contours of land, natural topography and horizon.
Showcasing a material and formal language drawn from the character of Beach Drive.
A building that gives back to the public realm, treating the scenic route as a shared experience.
Environmental Stewardship
Showcasing net-zero ready construction, renewable energy, and Dark Sky principles that reduce impact.
Protecting the health of the marine environment before runoff ever reaches the bay with enhanced stormwater filtration.
Prioritizing habitat continuity, invasive species removal and native landscaping.
Neighbourhood Continuity
Providing a diverse mix of homes that allows residents to move through different life stages without leaving Oak Bay.
Providing a sensitive architecture that builds on the existing multi-family buildings on Beach Drive to the north and green spaces to the south.
Special Study Area (SSA)
Special Study Area
Municipal Boundary
Resort Hotel
Specialized Commercial
Multi-Unit Residential 1
Multi-Unit Residential 2
Townhouse Residential
Community Institutional
Neighbourhood Village
Residential
The 2025 Official Community Plan (OCP) identifies a Special Study Area (SSA) along this portion of the Beach Drive corridor, outlining the necessity for comprehensive analysis to realize the area’s potential for evolution.
This SSA was established in recognition of the corridor’s unique characteristics—defined by its existing land-use patterns, immediate adjacency to the shoreline and a distinct neighbourhood character composed of stately homes and gated frontages. As a critical stretch of the Beach Drive scenic route, this area demands a heightened sensitivity toward view preservation and neighbourhood character and necessitates the careful integration of new development to ensure the corridor remains an enjoyable, safe and vibrant community asset.
Our planning approach treats the study of this site as an essential step in ensuring the project serves as a successful, precedent-setting marker for the corridor. The SSA presents a significant opportunity to activate this stretch of the coastline through a blend of private and public uses, accommodating high-quality residential growth that harmonizes with its context while honouring OCP priorities for architectural integrity and environmental stewardship.
This brief serves as the bridge between high-level direction and a realized project, demonstrating how a comprehensive approach can deliver a sophisticated, sense of place development that benefits the area for years to come.
Development Vision
Looking South along Beach Drive
Looking North East along Beach Drive
Building Frontage on Beach Drive
Aerial View looking South
Site Planning
Shoreline Setback
STEP 1
Shoreline DPA and 15m setback informs building placement away from shoreline
Protect Public Ocean Views
STEP 2
Protection of public ocean-views informs the buildable area and building footprint
Utilize Existing Access
STEP 3
Existing site access strategy is maintained—preserving setback to residential neighbour and informing building footprint
Height Informed by SSA
STEP 4
Building footprint established and massing as extruded to 8 storeys as informed by the SSA planning framework
Modulate Massing
STEP 5
Building is divided into 4 modules, which are decoupled, allowing the building to step down with the site’s topography
Massing Evolution
Establish Building Base
STEP 1
Building base is established to anchor massing to the groundplan
Step Upper Floors
STEP 2
Upper floors are stepped back—softening the roofline mass
Create Distinct Floorplates
STEP 3
Floorplates are established to define orientation of homes
Recess Facade
STEP 4
Facade is recessed to define building modules and reduce overlook
Articulate & Detail
STEP 5
Massing and balcony forms are articulated
Shadow Studies
Summer Solstice
9:00am
12:00pm
3:00pm
Equinox
9:00am
12:00pm
3:00pm
Winter Solstice
9:00am
12:00pm
3:00pm
Development Statistics
BUILDING METRICS
Height
8 Storeys
Site Area
64,205 SF
Floor Area
190,023 SF
FSR
2.96
Site Coverage
41,9%
AREA SETBACKS
North Setback
4.69–12.21m
East Setback
5.50–55.20m
South Setback
4.03–5.44m
West Setback
2.77–4.75m
HOME TYPES
Total Homes
54
2 Bedroom
18
2 Bedroom + Den
25
3 Bedroom
11
Adaptable Homes
18
PARKING & STORAGE
Total Car Parking
87 Stalls
Private Garages
18 Stalls
Visitor Parking
13 Stalls
Bike Long Term
77 Spaces
Bike Short Term
6 Spaces
Private Storage
53 Lockers
Application Timeline
Step 1
Planning & Design
Step 2
RZ/DP Application
Step 3
Municipal Staff Reviews
Step 4
Advisory Planning Commission
Step 5
Advisory Design Panel
Step 6
Committee of the Whole
Step 7
Bylaw Readings
Step 8
Public Hearing
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.
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