Sprawling beachfront development in Colwood set to open presentation centre, construction underway

Colwood’s Beachlands development in Royal Bay is putting the final touches on a showpiece for the community.

Colwood’s $1.2-billion master plan for the waterfront property across from Royal Bay has finished its first building – which will temporarily be the presentation and sales centre.

“It’s quite a surreal moment,” says Seacliff Properties’ vice president of development Georgia Desjardins.

“Beachlands has been years in the making.”

Visitors will soon have a place to view architectural models and see how the seaside community will eventually look at feel.

Co-developers Reliance Properties and Seacliff Properties are transforming 134 acres of land in a project that’s set to build out over 10 to 15 years as people invest in the community.

“The site itself has a tremendous history, over 100 years as a gravel pit,” said Reliance Properties president and CEO John Stovell.

“To be able to redevelop a brownfield site and bring it back to life with over 45 acres of park space and 2,850 homes and commercial, retail, restaurants, that’s a great opportunity.”

The developers say the City of Colwood was first to envision the neighbourhood 25 years ago. They believe construction could generate 10,500 full-time direct, indirect and induced jobs.

It’s unclear when the Beachlands “experience centre” will open to the community for enquiries and sales. Once the master plan is complete, the building on Metchosin Road is expected to be turned into a commercial space.