Located adjacent to Fernwood Square, at the historic heart of the neighbourhood, this four-storey mixed-use infill development introduces new rental housing while reinforcing the area’s established commercial character. A ground-oriented commercial space fronts Gladstone Avenue with indoor seating and a public patio, while eighteen rental apartments are located above and behind, including eight three-bedroom units.

Along Gladstone Avenue, the building presents a three-storey street wall that responds to the scale of the surrounding neighbourhood. With no vehicle parking provided, the project instead supports walking, cycling, and transit through its location near major routes and amenities, as well as three dedicated bicycle storage rooms for residents.

The architectural expression draws from the area’s rich material character through the use of salvaged brick on both the front and rear façades. Rather than imitating the appearance of traditional load-bearing masonry, the brick is treated as a contemporary cladding material: applied in a single plane, floating above large areas of storefront glazing and touching the ground lightly.

This deliberate use of brick acknowledges both the material history of the neighbourhood and the reality of contemporary construction. The result is a restrained but playful composition that adds housing and commercial activity while contributing a new layer to one of Victoria’s long-established neighbourhood centres.