Construction

Nearly $1 billion was spent in 2010 in new construction often with green, sustainable building practices. In fact, Greater Victoria's green projects have received international recognition and are serving as models for construction projects in other cities.

While housing starts in Greater Victoria declined in 2009 compared to 2008, B.C. and Metro Vancouver also experienced declines in year-over-year starts, and the drop is mainly attributed to the slowdown, which started in the second half of 2008. Overall housing starts in Greater Victoria are above both the 10-year and 15-year averages. The trend over the past decade in Greater Victoria has been for steady growth in building-permit values each year of 10 to 25 per cent.

Major construction projects that were completed in 2009 include the University of Victoria's state-of-the-art Bob Wright Centre - Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Building, which supports the university's national leadership in oceans and climate change research, and the stunning First Peoples House which creates an academic and cultural centre for Indigenous students on campus. Both feature many sustainable features and the First Peoples House is expected to qualify for gold-level certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating program.

Other projects nearing completion include the 850,000-square-foot Uptown, 80 per cent of which is slated for retail and restaurants, and the Atrium, which will add 180,000 square feet of office space in downtown Victoria. Other construction projects underway include condominiums and commercial and residential heritage restorations.

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