The Edge

The Edge is a 48-home loft building at 455 Sitkum Road in Victoria West, completed in 1998. A steel-and-concrete building that leaves its exposed fir post-and-beam structure and polished concrete floors on display, it is Victoria's closest thing to a New York–style loft, set on the quiet edge of Saghalie Park yet minutes from downtown across the Johnson Street Bridge. It was developed by Cielo Properties and designed by architect Eric Barker, and sits within the City of Victoria.

The building

A four-storey, 48-home loft building, The Edge stands apart from the typical Victoria condo. Its steel-and-concrete frame is paired with exposed fir posts and beams, polished concrete floors, and oversized, often floor-to-ceiling, south-facing windows. Most homes have 10-foot ceilings; the top-floor penthouses are two-storey lofts with mezzanines, ceilings as high as roughly 25 feet, and private rooftop terraces. An elevator serves all floors, and several ground-level homes have their own outside entrances, reinforcing the live/work character.

The homes

The 48 loft-style residences are generally open-plan, ranging from around 1,000 square feet to nearly 1,500 in the penthouses. Hallmarks include 10-foot ceilings, exposed fir beams and posts, polished concrete or hardwood floors, large south-facing windows, gas fireplaces, gas ranges, kitchen islands, in-suite laundry, and same-floor storage. South-facing homes look toward the Inner Harbour, the downtown skyline, the Johnson Street Bridge, and the mountains, including Mount Baker; others overlook the Garry Oak parkland of Saghalie Park. The flexible layouts suit live/work use, and finishes vary widely, as many homes have been custom-renovated.

Amenities

• Secure underground parking
• Bike storage
• Same-floor and separate storage lockers
• Elevator

The Edge carries comparatively low strata fees for the area, reflecting its boutique scale and the absence of resort-style amenities.

Location & walkability

The Edge sits on Sitkum Road in Vic West, overlooking Saghalie Park, a protected Garry Oak meadow. It is steps to the Songhees waterfront walkway, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, and Boom & Batten, with West Side Village shopping close by. Downtown Victoria is about a 20-minute walk or five-minute cycle across the Johnson Street Bridge.

Who it suits

The Edge suits buyers drawn to architectural character over amenities: design-minded professionals, creative and live/work buyers, and downsizers who want something distinct from a standard condo. The loft layouts, exposed timber, and big windows are the draw, and the comparatively low strata fees and pet- and rental-friendly bylaws add to the appeal. The trade-offs are that it is a boutique building without a gym, concierge, or pool; open-plan lofts offer less separation than conventional layouts; and tall ceilings with wall-to-wall glass can raise heating and cooling demands. Finishes vary widely by home, so condition is worth assessing unit by unit.

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