Development to replace Turner Building in Victoria set to break ground next week

Victoria council gave unanimous final approval on Jan. 15 for the Tallinn development, a six-storey project with 55 rental units and three commercial spaces, and the developer says construction will begin next week.

A new six-storey development called Tallinn received unanimous final adoption from Victoria council on Jan. 15 and is expected to break ground next week, the developer said. The project will replace the former Turner Building site, which had sat vacant for more than 20 years and was destroyed in a fire in March 2025. Empresa Properties bought the property in April 2023 and is preparing to start construction. The plan includes homes, ground-floor commercial space and a publicly accessible plaza that the city will help fund. Key details: - The building will contain 55 rental units and three commercial spaces. - Developer Empresa Properties described on-site amenities as including at- and below-grade bike rooms with bike and dog wash stations, maintenance areas, a rooftop BBQ and lounging area, and a wood-barrel sauna with a cold dip. - The development is named Tallinn and will add a publicly accessible plaza along Birch Street. - Councillor Jeremy Caradonna said the city will contribute up to $530,000 previously allocated from a community amenity contribution tied to a neighbouring Amica building, which he said means it will not cost taxpayers directly. - The project covers properties at 2002 Richmond Rd., 1903 and 1909 Birch St., and 1769 Pembroke St. Summary: The approved Tallinn development will replace the long-vacant Turner Building site with rental homes, commercial space and a new plaza that is intended for pedestrian use and neighbourhood gatherings. Construction is reported to begin next week, and the publicly accessible plaza has funding up to $530,000 that officials said comes from previously allocated developer contributions.