About the building
Synergy is the award-winning first phase of the sustainable Dockside Green community in Victoria West. This 8-storey concrete building is LEED Platinum certified, featuring eco-friendly amenities such as on-site wastewater treatment, biomass heating, and rooftop gardens. Residents enjoy high-end finishes like bamboo and cork flooring, all situated just steps from the Galloping Goose Trail and the Inner Harbour.
Synergy was the first phase of Dockside Green, developed by Vancity and Windmill West on the 15-acre former industrial site, designed by Busby Perkins+Will and built by Farmer Construction. Completed in March 2008, it comprises 93 homes in four buildings over a shared underground parkade: a nine-storey tower with ground-floor commercial, a six-storey building with commercial, a four-storey residential building and a two-storey row of townhouses. It scored 63 points under LEED Canada, a record at the time, after the developers agreed to a $1-million penalty if Platinum was missed, and it was named to the AIA's Top Ten green projects in 2009. Heat and hot water come from the wood-fired combined heat-and-power plant, wastewater is treated on site for irrigation and toilets, rainwater is harvested and the green roofs include vegetable plots.
Interiors use bamboo and cork, suites have heat-recovery ventilation and floor-to-ceiling windows, and there is kayak and bike storage, an exercise room and lockers. Corner two-bedroom-and-den suites of about 1,100 to 1,120 square feet carried strata fees of roughly $680 to $715 a month, and the strata allows dogs of all sizes. The Westside Village shops and the Galloping Goose are across the road.
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.
