729 & 731 Station Avenue, Langford

Project at a Glance

Location: Langford, BC (Vancouver Island). Client: M'akola Housing Society. Project team: Low Hammond Rowe Architects, Scansa Construction. Budget: $43 million. Total: 100 housing units across 2 buildings, plus approximately 10,500 sq. ft. of commercial space.

About the Project

M’akola Development Services (MDS) partnered with M’akola Housing Society (MHS) for the design and construction of the mixed use (commercial and residential) Station Avenue project in Langford, BC.

The development is a two-phased affordable housing project designed to support urban Indigenous families, elders/seniors, and singles in need of stable, affordable and high-quality housing in the Westshore area. Phase One of the project was funded by BC Housing’s Provincial Investment in Affordable Housing: Aboriginal Housing Initiative (PIAH).

Phase One, completed in March 2020, includes the construction of a six-storey, wood frame building consisting of 60 units of self-contained rental units in studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom layouts. Approximately, 6,500 sq. ft. of commercial space is owned and operated by Hulitan Family and Community Services Society (HFCSS). HFCSS provides social and emotional support through programs and services to Indigenous children, Indigenous youth, and Indigenous families. In addition, approximately, 4,000 sq. ft. of commercial space on the ground floor will be used as MDS office space to further advance affordable housing in the Province.

Phase Two, completed in the fall of 2021, involved the construction of a six-storey development with 40 units of affordable housing in a second building at the rear of the site. This project was approved under the 2018 Indigenous Housing Funding call and received full support from BC Housing.

The M’akola Development Services team was responsible for the feasibility analysis, business case development, site planning, and project management through construction, to one year warranty review stages.