About the building
Sparrow is a 6-storey boutique condominium building developed by Abstract Developments in the Oaklands neighbourhood. Completed in 2023, the complex features 49 West Coast contemporary homes designed with a focus on cycling and urban connectivity. Residents enjoy amenities such as a secure bike room, a pet wash station, a shared rooftop patio, and an on-site Modo car share vehicle. Its central location offers convenient access to Hillside Centre, Jubilee Hospital, and downtown Victoria.
Sparrow was Abstract Developments' first project in Oaklands, designed by Stuart Howard Architects and built in concrete with ground-floor retail; strata records list it as VIP38000. Sources count six storeys rather than four. Construction began in 2021 after the building pre-sold to roughly 90 per cent, and the first owners moved in during April 2023. Abstract offered introductory pricing aimed at first-time buyers along with a BC Housing five-per-cent down-payment option on selected homes, and the neighbouring Cridge Centre for the Family backed the project.
Suites start around 530 square feet, and the upper floors look out to the mountains and the city skyline. The building was marketed to buyers who could live without a second car, with Hillside Shopping Centre, Quadra Village, the Hillside Avenue bus corridor to UVic and Camosun Lansdowne all within a short walk.
About Oaklands
Oaklands covers about 173 hectares in the northeast corner of Victoria along the Saanich border, between Hillside-Quadra, Fernwood and North Jubilee. The name is for the Garry oaks that still stand in Mount Stephen Park and along the Oaklands Rise walkway, and the area was the Prior family's Hillside Farm in the 1850s before a building boom between 1909 and 1913 set the pattern of modest Edwardian houses. The 2021 census counted about 3,300 households, almost all in detached houses or apartment buildings of fewer than five storeys; there is no high-rise in the neighbourhood.
Hillside Shopping Centre, which opened in 1962 at 1644 Hillside Avenue, is physically in Oaklands and is the retail anchor, with Thrifty Foods, Walmart, Canadian Tire and Marshalls. Haultain Corners at Haultain and Shelbourne is the small village, with Oaklands Elementary, built in 1913 and home to the community association, around the corner. Oaklands Park, Oswald Park and the Cridge Centre's 1893 grounds are the main green spaces. Route 4 along Hillside connects downtown and UVic and Routes 22 and 22A reach Victoria General Hospital. The City's plan calls for a Hillside town centre plan around the mall and more apartments along Hillside Avenue.
About Victoria
Victoria’s Downtown is the vibrant heart of British Columbia’s capital city, blending historic charm with modern urban energy. It is the city’s most rapidly growing neighbourhood, attracting new residents of all ages to its mix of heritage architecture, bustling waterfront, and thriving cultural scene. With scenic harbour views and tree-lined streets, downtown Victoria offers a dynamic urban lifestyle while remaining walkable and accessible.
The area boasts a rich arts, culture, and entertainment district, featuring galleries, theatres, live music venues, and festivals throughout the year. Residents and visitors enjoy an impressive variety of dining, shopping, and service options, all within convenient walking distance. Historic and iconic landmarks, such as the Royal BC Museum, the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the provincial Parliament Buildings, and Canada’s oldest Chinatown, provide both character and a strong sense of place. The Royal and McPherson Theatres further enhance the city’s reputation as a hub for the performing arts.
Downtown Victoria’s waterfront plays a central role in community life, offering promenades, marinas, and public spaces that encourage outdoor recreation and social engagement. The combination of rich history, vibrant culture, and urban amenities makes downtown Victoria a highly desirable neighbourhood for residents who value both convenience and quality of life.
Today, Victoria continues to grow while maintaining its unique blend of heritage, modern development, and coastal beauty, making it a welcoming and dynamic place to live, work, and explore.
