Telus Living has opened a new 195-unit purpose-built rental development on a former telecommunications property in downtown Nanaimo, B.C.

The development is part of Telus’s push beyond telecommunications to convert underused network properties into rental housing as it replaces its legacy copper network with fibre infrastructure.

The property at 235 Wallace St. offers homes ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, along with street-level retail space. It is near Vancouver Island University and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

“The Nanaimo development represents exactly what Telus Living stands for by providing purpose-built rental housing tailored to the specific needs of the community it serves,” said Manasweeta Bhatia, vice-president of corporate real estate at Telus.

Telus is also leasing a 59-unit development in Sechelt and is building 55 rental units and four retail spaces at a former telephone exchange in Vancouver’s Point Grey neighbourhood.

The company said in November 2025 that another 18 properties could add more than 3,000 homes across B.C. over six years. It also announced plans to expand the program into Alberta and Quebec.

Other projects in the Telus Living development pipeline include proposed rental buildings in Vancouver, Saanich and Victoria. Among the largest are two mixed-use towers containing 404 units on Raymur Avenue and two proposed 25-storey developments containing more than 200 units each.

Amenities at the Nanaimo development include a rooftop deck, fitness centre, resident lounge, children’s play area, dog park, underground parking and bicycle storage.

Telus said the building was designed to meet Zero Carbon Design standards and Salmon-Safe development guidelines.

Pictured: Telus Living’s purpose-built rental development at 235 Wallace St. in downtown Nanaimo, B.C.

Source: Telus Living