The Pearl

The Pearl is a 133-home steel-and-concrete condominium at 1628 Store Street, on the Upper Harbour waterfront in downtown Victoria's Old Town. It was developed and built by Victoria's Farmer Group and Farmer Construction, designed by D'Ambrosio Architecture + Urbanism, with interiors by Kimberly Williams. The eight-storey, mixed-use building sits within the City of Victoria at the edge of Chinatown, overlooking West towards the working harbour and the Johnson Street Bridge.

Architecture & design

The Pearl is an eight-storey building on the 1600 block of Store Street, its concrete-and-steel form set against the red-brick patina of historic Old Town. D'Ambrosio's design is sculptural, running from a grand entry lobby to a glass-enclosed harbour-front staircase, with ground-floor commercial space activating the street. Kimberly Williams Interiors handled the residences, offering a choice of light or dark finish schemes.

The homes

The building holds 133 homes across a wide mix of layouts, from studios through three-bedroom plans and penthouses, ranging from roughly 460 to 1,700 square feet. Common features include floor-to-ceiling windows, nine-foot ceilings, contemporary kitchens with quartz counters and high-end stainless appliances, in-suite laundry, and radiant heated floors in the bathrooms. Every home has heat-pump HVAC providing both heating and air conditioning, which sets The Pearl apart from much of the older downtown stock. Some homes have oversized patios, and upper and penthouse homes carry multiple balconies with Upper Harbour and bridge views. As newer construction, sales are subject to GST.

Amenities

• Fitness facility
• Residents' lounge with kitchen-equipped amenity room
• Secure underground parking across a three-level parkade
• Separate storage lockers and bike storage
• Grand entry lobby and a glass-enclosed harbour-front staircase
• Allows up to 3 dogs or cats (or combination)

Location & walkability

The Pearl sits among the most walkable addresses in the city, with a Walk Score in the high 90s. It is steps from Chinatown, Fisgard Street, and the restaurants, cafés, and shops of Old Town, and a short walk to the Inner Harbour. The Johnson Street Bridge at the door connects to Vic West, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, and the Westsong Walkway. Harbour-facing homes look out over the Upper Harbour and the bridge, lit at night.

Who it suits

The Pearl suits buyers who want a low-maintenance home in the middle of downtown, within walking distance of work, dining, and the waterfront: professionals, downsizers, and part-year owners. In-suite heating and cooling in every home and pet rules allowing up to three dogs or cats with no size limit make it more accommodating than many older downtown buildings. It is a boutique building without pool or spa amenities, so buyers seeking a full resort-style package will look elsewhere. As newer construction, homes generally trade at a premium per square foot to older Old Town stock, and GST applies to new sales.

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