(L-R) Jesse Shiels, Kyle McNaught and Randy McNaught are excited to create a notable mix use project in Lantzville's village core. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Key project

‘We think it’s a special place:’ Lantzville builders to infuse life into village core

Feb 28, 2025 | 5:15 PM

LANTZVILLE — A trio of local residents are taking it upon themselves to give the community they care so much for an injection of vibrancy.

Construction is underway on vacant Lantzville Rd. land across from Caillet Rd. to create a three-storey mixed-use development involving a dozen residential units on the top two floors and three bottom-floor commercial spaces.

To be known as Coastline Station, the project with all of the units to be sold should be completed in about 15 months, according to builder Randy McNaught.

“We grew up here, (we’re) local residents, we think it’s a special place. We just wanted to try to add to the community and give some new life to the village core,” McNaught told NanaimoNewsNOW during a Friday, Feb. 28 site visit.

Nearly 7,000 square feet of commercial space is being built, featuring a footprint for a cafe-style business offering a public gathering area facing Lantzville Rd.

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‘We’re building something we’re proud that we’ll be able to drive by and be proud of down the road when we’re dropping our kids off at Seaview,” McNaught said.

He noted the housing offering will involve six units on each floor, with six two-bedroom plus den units, four two-bedroom suites, and two units with one bedroom and a den.

Rendering of Coastline Station (CMTC Architecture)

McNaught’s cousin Kyle joined forces to create McNaught Contracting, allowing the general contractors the ability to take on larger builds like Coastline Station.

“We’ve definitely been approached from some people, getting letters of interest, and hopefully, we can disclose some more information here soon in the next couple of months,” Kyle McNaught said.

The builders are now laying the concrete foundation for the highly anticipated project, which aligns with Lantzville’s Official Community Plan.

Drone image of Coastline Station as concrete foundation pouring continues on the .65 acre property (Submitted photo)

Jesse Shiels, part owner of the property, partnered with McNaught Contracting on the endeavor.

“It was an easy decision for us,” Shiels said. “Any time we can provide an opportunity, whether it’s business or residential, we feel that will have a positive impact and hopefully can show that it’s doable and there’s more opportunities down the road.”

Pointing to the success of nearby heritage business Lantzville Pub, Shiels said their intention is to create a community gathering hub, much like what the pub has done for many decades.

“We want to be able to provide the same thing in a little bit of a different space,” Shiels said.

Artist’s rendering provides an up-close look at the envisioned ground-floor cafe type offering. (CMTC Architecture)

Mayor Mark Swain strongly supports Coastline Station.

In the mayor’s words, the development is “a dream come true,” emphasizing the commitment level their building partners have shown.

“For us it really is setting the bar for what is possible in the District of Lantzville, and hopefully, this will signal to other developers we’re open for business and we want to see high-quality development in our community,” Swain said.

On top of providing much needed additional and varied housing options, Swain said Coastline Station will offer a bit of relief to local taxpayers.

“Probably about 98 per cent of our tax base comes from residential, so to have any addition of commercial or even light industrial to our tax base is extremely important.”

View of the under-construction Coastline Station from Lantzville Rd. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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