Starlight Investments has broken ground on the first phase of Harris Green Village, the largest multi-family housing development in Victoria, B.C.’s history.

The initial phase will deliver 526 new rental suites downtown, including 80 affordable units. Upon completion, the three-phase, mixed-use community will add more than 1,500 rental homes and 100,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The development will feature townhomes, studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with public plazas, green spaces and community gathering areas.

“We are thrilled to begin construction on this transformational mixed-use community that is set to become a lively focal point in the city,” said Howard Paskowitz, Starlight’s vice-president of development and public affairs. “Harris Green Village showcases Starlight’s commitment to increasing the availability of much-needed rental housing while keeping the unique needs and characteristics of each community at the forefront of design.”

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said the project reflects the city’s “forward-thinking approach to driving purpose-built rental housing,” while Downtown Victoria Business Association CEO Jeff Bray called it “the biggest single investment in purpose-built rental in Victoria” and a sign of investor confidence in the city’s core.

Toronto-based Starlight is a privately held real estate investment and asset management firm that owns, develops and manages more than 70,000 multi-residential suites and over seven million square feet of commercial property in Canada.

The company also has holdings in other countries.

Pictured: (Top image) Starlight property in Langley, B.C. (Lower image) Starlight’s Harris Green Village project in Victoria, B.C.

Lower Rendering: CNW Group/Starlight