Invited by owner and developer Ms. Nicole Roberts, I had the pleasure of touring the new Clive apartment building and I was not disappointed.
Ms. Roberts was true to her word — the Clive exceeds the first level of LEED standard for a green and energy-efficient building and is an asset to Oak Bay as the first building of its kind in our community. The Clive also scores another first, the first time in over 40 years that new rental accommodation has been introduced to Oak Bay that provides another housing option for people wanting to live in the village setting.
The rental suites are bright, modern, clean and well appointed. Residents have a choice of a one bedroom, a one bedroom with den or a two bedroom suite and all have in-suite laundry facilities. Kitchens have non-porous stone counter tops, dishwashers, micro-waves and other modern appliance hardware. Ample cupboard and storage space round out kitchen capacity, with some designs that accommodate bar stools for space-efficient seating. Bathrooms are well lighted and for those who do not want a bathtub, large walk-in showers are provided with state of the art safety features, ventilation and heating.
There is covered ground level parking for just 17 automobiles and ample bike storage adjacent to the parking area. There are garbage and recycling stations on each floor and in the parking area. Rain gardens surround the building that re-use gray water for irrigation and environmentally sensitive drainage. The building is well landscaped and the front of the building blends well with the street scape, allowing for sidewalk seating and wide enough to accommodate better mobility for those who require that type of mobility assistance.
New residents are moving and settling into their suites and Ms. Roberts told me that the building is now full, with a wait-list. While the rentals are market rates, given the quality and location of the building, these rates are consistent with similar accommodation elsewhere in the community and the region. Families, single people and a diverse demographic make the Clive an appealing location for those who do not need a vehicle for transportation. Finally, I was pleased to learn that the Clive also welcomes small pets that enhance the quality of life for residents who have them.
I am as convinced now as I was when I supported this development as a sitting Oak Bay Councillor three years ago, that the Clive is a good development and good for Oak Bay. Kudos to Ms. Roberts and her team for creating an attractive and modern housing development that sets a new standard in our community for rental accommodation.