Construction has started on The Beachlands, located on the waterfront of Colwood. The $1.2 billion development, by Seacliff Properties and Reliance Properties, will be built on 134-acres of oceanfront land with a shoreline that stretches 1.4 kilometres and beyond to the Lagoon Beach.

The first phase will begin with the presentation centre, including a coffee shop overlooking the ocean. The building will serve as an architectural gateway, welcoming residents and visitors to a new seaside village in Colwood.

Two multifamily buildings are expected to be complete by summer 2026, followed by a vibrant waterfront plaza with pubs, wine bars, restaurants, coffee shops, doctors offices, fitness facilities and more.

More than 47 acres of the property will be dedicated to public parks and green space, including a covered public square, nature trails, and an amphitheatre.

“After seven years of planning, public consultation and various approvals, we are thrilled to put our $1.2 billion investment in motion and start construction of The Beachlands, a world-class seaside community that will contribute much-needed housing, jobs and spending in Colwood and the region,” said Georgia Desjardins, director of development at Seacliff Properties.

After the 15-year build-out, The Beachlands will deliver 2,850 homes, including single-family houses, townhomes and condominiums, hundreds of jobs at retail and commercial spaces centred around a waterfront plaza, and vast public parks.

The Beachlands property has a history in the community as the location of Producer’s Pit, a gravel pit operation from 1910 to 2007 that was one of Canada’s largest gravel suppliers and the area’s largest employer.