This 163-unit building represents a pending infusion of new rental accommodations in Nanaimo's downtown core. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

more growth

Top Stories of 2025: Continuous development alters Nanaimo’s landscape

Dec 20, 2025 | 10:58 AM

NANAIMO — It was yet another brisk year in the Harbour City for construction, with several multi-unit housing projects among several offerings moving forward.

With multiple infill projects in the downtown and surrounding area moving ahead, two initiatives headline the list of impactful projects to densify Nanaimo’s downtown core.

Construction is well underway on a pair of nearby projects, led by telecommunications giant Telus, in which a pair of six-storey towers at 235 Wallace St of 195 units are being built.

The project, branded as Telus Living Nanaimo, is planned to be a market rental initiative, strategically located within walking distance of downtown, Old City Quarter and numerous waterfront amenities.

Telus Living Nanaimo utilizes a previously vacant lot on Wallace at Wentworth streets. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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One block to the south is another substantial construction project underway, which is also infusing much-needed rental housing into Nanaimo’s downtown.

A singular six-storey development at 340 Campbell St. replaces the old Caledonia Clinic, near Pauline Haarer School.

One hundred and sixty-three market rental apartments of various sizes are being constructed at the site.

The projects represent 358 housing units, which had previously housed nobody.

Both projects are slated to benefit from a 10-year property tax exemption to spur developments in the downtown core.

New housing on Campbell St. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Among other impactful projects planned is a 160-unit project on Hillcrest Ave. between Third St. and Wakesiah Ave.

With funds secured through BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund, a mix of affordable and subsidized housing is planned for the project across from Nanaimo District Secondary School.

The City’s Design and Advisory Panel reviewed the initiative, which will go to Nanaimo City Council to be granted a development permit.

A project undertaken by the City of Nanaimo to revive an old industrial site has been materializing over the past few years, with the project now complete.

Known as the Midtown Gateway Project, the City transformed what was once an industrial wasteland into a development-ready project, while establishing new vehicular and active transportation options.

A new signaled intersection on Bowen and Boxwood roads opened in January, which provided additional and safer options into Beban Park and the adjoining Beban Plaza shopping complex.

A new roundabout connecting Bowen Rd. and Northfield Rd. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The mixed-use zoning area includes a future planned significant housing project in the form of a 211-unit housing development in three buildings at 2240 Northfield Rd.

A pair of notable commercial construction projects advanced in 2025, led by a vital project to rejuvenate a site that’s been vacant for many years.

Dubbed ‘Soundworks’, the former A&B Sound building on the corner of Terminal Ave. and Commercial St. Is projected to open next summer or fall.

The multi-tenanted two-storey building is being transformed into a bottom-floor market hall with several businesses and eateries, anchored by a restaurant and patio.

‘Soundworks’ represents a significant investment to help revitalize Nanaimo after the site had fallen into significant decay.

A&B Sound closed its doors at the downtown location in 2008.

Construction is also advancing on a new, nearly 8,000 square foot strip mall in the Brooks Landing Shopping Centre, which also includes plans for increased housing density behind the new shopping complex.

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