Sometimes an emerging neighbourhood comes about slowly, but when a community begins to gather momentum there can be a sudden swift surge of change. That’s the case in Saanich’s “University Centre,” a key node of the Shelbourne Valley Action Plan at the crossroads of Shelbourne and McKenzie.
“This highly connected location offers comfort and convenience and is central to everything that the CRD has to offer,” says Robert Fung, president of The Salient Group. “ is the first in the new era of projects leading this reimagined “University Centre” neighbourhood. We are proud to be setting the tone for this important district that will soon become the region’s newest, densified, amenity-rich neighbourhood comprised almost entirely of purpose-built rental homes constructed to a condo level of quality.”
The Shelley, a six-storey purpose-built rental building comprising 76 studios, two-bedroom homes, and two spectacular commercial spaces fronting Shelbourne and McKenzie Streets, will be ready for tenants to move in early 2023.
The Shelley is front and centre to public transit, on two bus routes, and within short walking distance to shopping, services, a daycare, to two elementary schools and the University of Victoria. Conveniently facing the Tuscany Village Shopping Centre, residents of The Shelley have easy access to Thrifty Foods, Cedar Hill Sports Therapy, Mucho Burrito, Subway, Popeyes, RBC, Thrifty Foods Liquor Store, Canada Post, and Rexall pharmacy.
Thoughtfully designed, homes in The Shelley have been refined to optimize layouts, create interesting spaces, and enable flexibility in how varying tenants might interpret the space. These contemporary homes bathe in natural light, feature fully outfitted kitchens including all appliances, in-suite washer and dryer, as well as energy recovery ventilation (ERV) for fresh air.
“We gave a lot of thought to the needs of people who work from home,” says Fung. “Many suites have nooks for desks or a reading space, and to expand the sense of space, each suite features either patios, decks, or juliette balconies, providing connection with the outdoors. We spent a lot of time trying to make efficient spaces live large.”
And that's not all. To encourage a sense of community, The Shelley offers two common amenity zones. The second floor is all about those Zen moments - green thumbs will enjoy the Community Garden Boxes, while those yogis will have an open space for stretching, and book lovers can relax in comfy seating areas in the sun. The sixth floor Penthouse Lounge is perfect for socializing, watching games, studying, hanging out, or sharing a meal with neighbours and friends. There are two BBQ equipped outdoor decks blessed with breathtaking views of the sunset over the Shelbourne Valley – offering the best seats in the house.
For those with four-legged furry friends, The Shelley is pet-friendly and equipped with a pet washing station. Residents, and their furry companions alike, can be assured that the energy performance of their home has also been considered. Salient, working with construction manager Heatherbrae Builders, has carefully crafted the building to exceed a BUILT GREEN® Gold standard. BUILT GREEN® Canada goes beyond energy efficiency, moving the industry toward a more holistic approach to sustainable building practices. An approach that includes the preservation of natural resources, reduction of pollution, ventilation and air quality, and the improvement of home durability.
With a refocus on issues of climate change, a sustainable-minded approach to the daily commute has become a popular alternative for urbanites. With so much, so close, The Shelley is a “cycle-centric” building outfitted with wheel-focused amenities that include a bike repair station where residents can tune their bikes via shared tools, a bike wash, and loads of bike storage. There are several bike racks per home, secure bike lockers and, because of the surging popularity of E-bikes, scooters and skateboards, a number of the lockers have power outlets to keep rides safe and fully charged.
With everything at your doorstep, including a trail system and parks for walkers and cyclists alike, living at The Shelley means one really doesn't need a car. But if you do, The Shelley has some limited “a la carte” parking, including 2-stalls equipped with EV charging stations, and each home is provided with a free MODO Car Sharing Program membership. “There are two MODO cars stationed less than 100m from The Shelley, offering easy access for our MODO members,” says Fung.
With well-appointed, BuiltGreen certified, amazingly located homes, The Shelley is right where you need to be. The Shelley will be available for rent, early 2023.
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