About the building
Shutters Residences is a landmark luxury development in the Songhees neighborhood, characterized by its distinctive curvilinear architecture and resort-style atmosphere. Built in 2007, the complex consists of two buildings (6 and 9 storeys) connected by three acres of private water gardens, lagoons, and a 75-foot infinity lap pool. The residences feature high-end West Coast contemporary finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows, and exposed elevators, all situated just across the bridge from downtown Victoria. Amenities include a fitness centre, sauna, steam room, guest suite, and kayak storage.
Shutters was developed by Westbank under Ian Gillespie and designed by Vancouver architect James Cheng, who took his cues from Miami Beach modernism: curved nine- and six-storey buildings on about two acres, single-loaded exterior walkways screened by the louvered white shutters that give the building its name, glass-enclosed elevator and stair columns, and short bridges from the walkways to each front door. Vancouver critics have called it the most architecturally flamboyant building in Victoria.
Suites run from about 885 to 1,370 square feet, the larger ones with nine-foot ceilings and heated ensuite floors, and electric baseboard heat with natural gas included in the strata fee. The amenity deck has a heated outdoor lap pool, two hot tubs, a steam room, sauna and fitness centre, plus a guest suite, lounge and meeting rooms, water gardens, controlled entry and secure underground parking with storage. Listings describe the complex as pet-friendly; confirm rental rules with the strata. Addresses appear as both 66 and 68 Songhees Road.
About Songhees
Songhees is the harbour-front peninsula on the Victoria West side of the Inner Harbour, directly across the water from downtown. Songhees longhouses once ran from Songhees Point past the present Johnson Street Bridge; the community was moved to Esquimalt in 1911 to make way for industry, and the land was redeveloped as housing from the late 1980s onward. The result is one of the densest condominium enclaves in the region, with concrete and brick buildings along Songhees Road, Kimta Road and Cooperage Place oriented to harbour and city views, and the Delta Ocean Pointe resort at the tip.
There is no village centre; residents walk across the Johnson Street Bridge to downtown in ten to fifteen minutes or drive to the Westside Village shops in Vic West. The Westsong Walkway, a flat paved and boardwalk path, runs about five kilometres return along the shore from the Ocean Pointe to West Bay Marina, and Spinnakers brewpub has been on Kimta Road since 1984. The Galloping Goose passes through Vic West a few blocks north. The City's official plan treats Songhees, Dockside Green, Bayview and the Roundhouse as one high-density growth area, so the skyline here is still filling in.
About Victoria West
Across the Johnson Street Bridge from Downtown Victoria lies the diverse and modern Vic West neighborhood, a dynamic subarea of the city that blends history, urban convenience, and waterfront living. The community has experienced rapid growth in recent years, particularly in areas along the Inner Harbour and adjacent to the waterfront, where new residential developments sit alongside revitalized industrial spaces.
Vic West offers residents easy access to scenic shoreline and waterfront walkways that stretch around the coast, connecting parks, marinas, and the Vic West Community Centre in Craigflower Village. The area is well-known for its vibrant recreational opportunities, with the Galloping Goose Trail serving as a popular route for both commuting and leisure, linking Vic West to Downtown Victoria and communities to the north across Portage Inlet.
The neighborhood features a mix of heritage homes, modern condos, and townhouses, attracting families, young professionals, and retirees alike. Local amenities include shops, cafes, restaurants, and community facilities, creating a lively yet community-focused atmosphere. The blend of industrial history, contemporary development, and accessible natural spaces gives Vic West its unique character, balancing urban living with a connection to the outdoors.
Today, Vic West is recognized for its welcoming community, waterfront lifestyle, and convenient location, making it one of Victoria’s most appealing neighborhoods for those seeking both city amenities and outdoor recreation within reach.
