A proposed four-storey apartment building on Wellington Rd. was supported unanimously by Nanaimo's Design Advisory Panel on Thursday. (Low Hammond Rowe Architects)

By Alex Rawnsley

central housing

48-unit housing complex envisioned near Nanaimo’s Long Lake

Jan 10, 2026 | 5:55 AM

NANAIMO — Support for the overall design, form and character was unanimous for a proposed four-storey apartment building.

Developers are planning to construct 48 units at 4444 and 4446 Wellington Rd., near Sunview Rd., with some apartments overlooking Long Lake to the north.

Included in the build, which was presented to the City’s Design Advisory Panel on Thursday, Jan. 8, would be four studio, 12 one-bedroom, 30 two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments.

Both indoor and outdoor amenity spaces would be included for residents of the complex.

Architect Jackson Low, of Low Hammond Rowe Architects, called the neighbourhood “somewhat under transition”, being a mix of multi-family residential properties and light industrial buildings.

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A rendering of the rear of the building. (Low Hammond Rowe Architects)

Lowe said they took the surrounding buildings and businesses into account with their design.

“The site is sloped from Wellington down towards the north. The proposed multi-family building is sited towards the Wellington Rd. side to maximize the distance from the light industrial neighbour to the northeast. That facility is a U-lock mini storage facility.”

Positioning the building towards Wellington Rd. also helps mitigate sound from the Island Hwy. to the north.

A dozen recommendations were made by the Panel, mainly around minor amenity and privacy screening improvements to the outdoor spaces.

Three recommendations centred around accessible access via ramp to the front entrance, as well as making one of the units fully accessible.

A trio of variances requested by developers were also supported unanimously by the Panel, including a minor parking reduction from the zoning-required 80 to 78, as well as an increase to the maximum height of the building from 14 metres to 17 metres.

After review by developers, the project will come to Nanaimo City Council for issuing of a development permit at a future meeting.

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