Escher, an 84-suite condo project by Chard Development has begun construction at 838 Broughton Street. A ground-breaking event was held on April 22, 2015 with Chard Development, the City of Victoria, Escher condo buyers and downtown Victoria businesses and stakeholders to celebrate the start of construction on the developer’s latest project.

“Downtown Victoria has a bright future thanks, in large part, to Dave Chard and Chard Development for consistently delivering high-quality, forward-looking developments,” said Lisa Helps, Mayor of Victoria. “I thank Mr. Chard for his continual investment in Victoria and I look forward to putting yet another shovel in the ground with him today.” 

Escher is located on the border of downtown Victoria and the residential Fairfield neighbourhood in the 800 block of Broughton Street – just slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of the city’s main streets. But the development is just steps away from the Royal Theatre, the YM-YWCA of Greater Victoria and the latest downtown restaurant hub that has seen popular new eateries thriving on Broughton, Blanshard and Fort Streets.

Escher’s suites and amenities have been designed to reflect the diversity of downtown homebuyers who appreciate stylish spaces and having a wide variety of suite types and customization options to choose from.

“We’re extremely proud of the design and features of this new project and very happy with the response it’s getting from condo buyers,” said David Chard, president, Chard Development. “However, my team and I are most excited about the longer-term impact that these new residents and the thriving small businesses we see popping up are having on the vibrancy of downtown. There is a definite energy to downtown right now.”

Chard mentioned projects like Fort Common by Fort Properties, which is taking an underused urban space just down the street from Escher and creating a gathering space and urban garden as an example of a unique development he is pleased to see. Suzanne Bradbury of Fort Properties attended the groundbreaking event and commented that, “We believe Downtown Victoria is poised at the threshold of a rebirth, and sensitive developments like Escher will contribute to making this emerging neighbourhood truly great. Together, Escher’s future residents and our local business people will help shape the culture of Victoria to create a vibrant, urban experience for everyone to enjoy.”

Escher is being built by Campbell Construction, a contractor that has constructed many of Victoria’s major buildings, and is planned to be completed by early 2017.

Escher Quick Facts:

• Located at 838 Broughton Street, Escher was designed by Vancouver’s Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership with interiors by Proscenium Architecture + Interiors.
• Escher is an 84-suite, 10-storey building with a bold, modern design.
• Escher’s suite customization is unlike anything that’s been offered before in Victoria. An online suite customizer allows users to explore a variety of back­splashes, countertops, paint colours, wallpaper and flooring options as well as various built-in desks and pantries that can be added to specific locations within suites.
• Escher’s building features include a meeting room with Shaw Wi-Fi that can be booked online for those who work from home or need an occasional quiet work space; an easy ground floor entrance to secure bicycle storage for all homeowners, electric car and scooter charging stations and a dog wash facility on the ground level to make life simpler for pet owners. The main lobby showcases original art commissioned by Chard, and the building will feature a Chard-signature rooftop terrace and outdoor kitchen on the 11^th floor - complete with dining and lounge seating, secure elevator access and an accessible washroom.
• Sales for Escher began in September 2014 and the building is now 25 per cent sold. One and two bedroom suites as well as penthouse suites, some with dens or large outdoor terraces are available. One bedrooms begin at $219,000 with 2 bedrooms starting from $389,000.

Learn more about Escher