A new housing project in the Fairfield neighbourhood of Victoria, B.C., which was previously proposed as a condominium building, will now be a 44-unit boutique rental property.

Empresa Properties and Low Hammond Rowe Architects  shared plans for the site at 1120 Burdett, an infill design that integrates elegant contemporary urban architecture among a classic Victoria streetscape.

If approved, the four-storey apartment building with underground parking will be built on lots currently occupied by three 1920s-era homes. When last before council in May, the applicants had proposed 36 condominium units. According to the revised proposal, the site will now house a 44-unit market-rental apartment building, with a housing agreement guaranteeing it will remain rental for years.

Mayor Lisa Helps called the revised submission “a model proposal” in that rental is in high demand and the new building will provide a significant increase in rental units close to the downtown.

The change to rental from strata came after the applicant applied for funding to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.’s Rental Construction Financing Program.