Aryze Annual

Vol. 04

An integrated home building, development and urban planning team focused on innovation across a full spectrum of housing types.

From the Desk of Aryze

Katherine, our VP of Operations, alongside Matty and Luke, Aryze Principals.

Welcome to the fourth issue of the Aryze Annual, where you can get an inside look at our team and the many exciting projects we’re working on across Greater Victoria. With a focus on innovation across a full spectrum of housing types, we advocate for diverse housing choice in all neighbourhoods, constructed in partnership with some of Canada’s most acclaimed architects and local non-profit organizations. At the core of our work is a hope to help build a better Victoria, which means fostering a strong vision for what the city can be.

Since publishing our last issue, we’ve achieved some amazing things as a team. We’ve also had some challenging times and a major loss in the passing of one of Aryze’s co-founders, Ryan Goodman—a dear friend to all three of us. As the connective tissue between the heart and soul of Aryze, Ryan’s passion for urbanism and design was only outshone by his passion to make a difference in our city. His quirky personality, quick wit, curated sense of style and charming sense of humor is irreplaceable, but he leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to propel our team forward with purpose. With big shoes to fill, Matty, Luke and I have banded together, which has meant new dynamics, roles and responsibilities.

We keep Ryan’s spirit alive through the memories we shared and the goals we hoped to achieve together. He had such belief in our team—and passion for our work—that as we continue to set new heights, we know he’s right here with us, cheering us on. In that way, we’ve never had more meaning for why we do what we do.

Over the last year, our construction team has been busy working away on numerous project sites across the region, including Centro and Norma, located at 1025 Kings and

520 Normandy, respectively. These two buildings are our next round of all-new purpose-built rental homes, which will be leasing up with our in-house team throughout 2024.

We’ve also been developing some amazing relationships with groups like Anawim Companion Society, Fernwood NRG, The Good City Project and Songhees Nation. It’s these collaborations that lead to some of the most meaningful work we do at Aryze and I am so proud to share the stories of our team—and their contributions—in the pages of this Annual. For example, in February 2023 we were recognized by the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association with the Community Builder award, which celebrates a builder who has shown an extraordinary commitment to decent, safe and affordable housing. It’s a major honour to be recognized nationally for this work, which we couldn’t have achieved without these collaborative efforts.

As we look ahead to 2025, I am excited to share the next round of developments that our team has been working on in an effort to bring more housing diversity—and housing choice—to neighbourhoods with room to grow. In this, we hope to continue fostering an engaged community of change-makers who hold shared values and a commitment to the future potential of our city.

After all, do you want to watch your community change, or do you want to be the one to help shape it? Whether you’re a member of our team or a member of the community—we’re hoping you’re here for the latter.

Katherine Davies VP of Operations

We’re committed to increasing the quality of homes and communities across Greater Victoria.

a. Pearl Block Oaklands

b. Project Albero Victoria West

c. Rhodo Fairfield/Gonzales

d. Ross Terrace Hillside/Quadra

e. Rotunda James Bay

f. Norma Royal Oak

g. Centro Hillside/Quadra

h. 1502 Admirals Songhees Nation

i. 1693 Fort South Jubilee

Esquimalt/Gorge

Royal Oak

West Hillside/Quadra

Bay

Oaklands

James

Victoria

Fairfield

Gonzales South Jubilee

James Bay

Victoria

Fairfield

Gonzales South Jubilee

Using traditional building methods, innovative construction technologies and intelligent design, we deliver thoughtful living environments to people who want to call an Aryze home their own.

As Builders

Our experienced team synthesizes true craftsmanship through development and project management strategy to construct some of the most beautiful custom built multi-family homes on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

As Developers

We focus on urban infill and base our process around innovation, performance and data-informed design. Every Aryze home is created to benefit not only the existing community, but also the needs of future residents.

As Advocates

We see it as our responsibility to provide diverse housing for all neighbourhoods. Our goal is to provide options at all points of the housing continuum to build a healthy, resilient community where everyone’s needs are being met.

Rhodo

Rhodo reflects a design language of the West Coast in form and function—inviting the neighbourhood and landscape into conversation with the built environment.

Surrounded by beautiful greenspace in one of Victoria’s most coveted residential neighbourhoods, the homes at Rhodo exemplify connection to nature and a sense of place, with close access to the urban core.

Building in a well-proportioned yet compact neighbourhood, we were able to introduce density in an area with room to grow. Where there were once two single-family homes, we created ample space for 22 families with a variety of unit sizes and price points, offering a broad range of homeownership opportunities in an area which may have traditionally been out of reach.

Striking architectural details by award-winning Shape Architecture reflect a design language that is aligned with the West Coast’s natural surroundings, creating an innovative building that pairs high-quality materials and finishes with intelligent site design.

Cedar siding, glass and metal accents create a timeless, cohesive and tactile balance with nature, while a clever site orientation promotes visual harmony— maximizing ocean views to the south, and lush park views to the west. The play of light and shadow throughout the day emphasizes the sharp angles and warm finishes of the exterior, providing a dynamic connection between inside and outside.

With nearly two decades of experience creating award-winning custom homes throughtout Greater Victoria, our thoughtful approach to the interiors considered how residents live both today and into the future. From the details you see; like chef-inspired kitchens with Bosch appliances, generous storage and built-ins and expansive patios and terraces—to those you don’t, like gas cooking and radiant in-floor heating—the homes at Rhodo exude form and function to create meaningful spaces that enrich daily life.

The Townhomes

The unique shape of the lot inspired a design of three distinct but interrelated townhome clusters, inviting connection between neighbours and a vibrant small-scale village atmosphere.

Architect Shape Architecture

Structural Engineer RJC Engineers

Developer & Builder Aryze

Landscape Designer Biophilia Design Collective

Photography Eli Ramraj, Jacob McNeil, Jody Beck

Infill development brings life out into the public realm and helps prevent urban sprawl so the edges of our communities aren’t bleeding into the beautiful green spaces of Vancouver Island. So when we had the opportunity to take a series of underutilized sites— including two single family homes on three individual parcels—and create space for 22 families, we got to work. Step one? To give the existing single family homes a second life by relocating them via barge to two families on the San Juan Islands.

From there, we focused on design development which led us to the ground-oriented townhome. This building typology was ideal for this project, as it boasts increased affordability, security and community connection with minimal maintenance for homeowners while offering the quintessential 15-minute lifestyle— considered critical to solving our climate and housing crisis.

Within close walking distance to shops, schools, beaches and parks—located right next door to a tennis court—we knew Rhodo was the perfect fit for the Fairfield/Gonzales neighbourhood.

Homeowner Stories

For couple Tadzio and Liz, the townhome typology created the perfect opportunity to enter the market with less homeowner hassle and an enriched urban fabric.

While they weren’t planning to move during their visit to the Island, after viewing the floor plans and the concept for Rhodo, Tadzio and Liz—and their adorable dog Evie—were drawn back to Victoria from New York City.

Tadzio grew up in James Bay and after living in Montreal to study classical music he made his way to New York for a Masters Degree where he met Liz. The couple connected over the arts, performing together in Cincinnati and spent the past 15 years in New York City.

The creatives’ New Yorker roots saturate their home with a tapestry of eclectic moments inspired by the different worlds enveloped by the City—from Koreatown to Soho and Little Italy.

Life at Rhodo

With the tennis court right next door, Tadzio can effortlessly weave a session in between work meetings, or to unwind after a busy day—a refreshing alternative to navigating the tangle of rush hour in the City.

“I grew up in a townhouse—it’s the perfect balance of privacy and community. I really love the growing neighbourhood here and that’s what’s special about this sort of development.”

— TADZIO, HOMEOWNER

From luxurious interior finishes to thoughtful architectural design, not only do the townhomes at Rhodo rival detached single-family homes, but they also create an opportunity for homeownership in a neighbourhood that has traditionally been out of reach for many.

With Hollywood Park next door and daily amenities only a short walk away, Rhodo offers a harmonious blend of convenience, community and nature—all the best parts of a 15-minute city.

Relative to New York, the couple’s new home offers more living space and access to greenspace. An escape from the hustle and bustle, enveloped in lush greenery, life at Rhodo invites a West Coast pace where the boundaries between work and play seamlessly blend.

Their dog, Evie, once a city girl, is now living in her own slice of paradise—the couple’s routine having transformed from a rush to the subway

to a walk to Gonzales beach, spotting eagles and deer along the way. Tadzio and Liz have relaxed into this change of pace and the balance of privacy and community that the townhome layout creates.

Situated on the edge of the park, their patio overlooks the tennis court and greenspace—a full circle moment for Tadzio who grew up playing baseball at Hollywood Park while living in a townhouse.

“We both pretty much instantly felt at home here,” says Tadzio. “We feel spoiled with the amount of green space and beaches we have near us,” Liz adds.

A big change that came at the perfect time, the couple’s decision to leave New York for the Island lifestyle has proven to be transformative. Taking an unexpected leap into the market, they’ve discovered that life at Rhodo not only offers the best of the city’s dynamic landscapes and nature, but also a vibrant community of connected neighbours.

Introducing Aryze Leasing

Meet Sarah and Virginia, our in-house leasing team. With an unwavering commitment to creating positive experiences for renters, Sarah and Virginia embody a relentless drive to reshape the way people view and interact with the rental market.

Celebrating the Leasing Experience

Let’s face it, renting in a market like Victoria’s is not easy. We believe that finding your next home should be exciting, not stressful—whether you’re looking to buy or rent.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce you to Sarah and Virginia; our attentive leasing team bringing extensive experience and care to an important stage of your housing journey. Driven to build the best leasing program in the city, they’ll make the search for your next home a positive one, with support from start to finish. We know what it’s like to rent in this city and that’s why we’ve crafted a leasing experience that goes beyond.

With our experienced leasing team, we’ll help you find the apartment you’ve been searching for in a neighbourhood you already

know and love. Whether you’re seeking the amenity-rich Royal Oak neighbourhood, or the commercial hub of Quadra Village, we’ll help you find the perfect space for your needs. With an exclusive focus on infill development in established neighbourhoods with room to grow, we have a diverse offering of home types and unit plans to suit your routine and lifestyle.

Every Aryze home is created to benefit the existing community, and the needs of future residents. We see it as our responsibility to provide options at all points of the housing continuum to build a healthy, resilient community where everyone’s needs are being met. Whether you’re leasing an apartment or buying a townhouse, our team will help you feel right at home—regardless if it’s just for now or forever.

“We have a special opportunity to support people along their housing continuum journey—no matter what stage they’re in.”

— VIRGINIA BRYAN

Drawing from a wealth of expertise and insider knowledge, Sarah Henderson, Director of Sales and Leasing, is leading the launch of Aryze’s leasing program alongside Virginia Bryan. Together, they are determined to transform the leasing experience for renters in Victoria.

With strategic acumen built during her over eight years in real estate sales, Sarah’s determination to build the most comprehensive leasing program in the city is matched by her innate ability to forge meaningful relationships with partners, colleagues and tenants.

Identifying a tremendous lack in the consideration of quality rental housing, Sarah has shaped the Aryze leasing program around care and respect for future tenants.

“I really feel passionate about the customer journey and what a person experiences from the moment they’re on the website to getting their keys. Whether you’re renting or buying a home, you should feel the same level of respect and consideration.”

Aligned with this vision, Virginia’s role as the first point of contact ensures potential renters are guided through the leasing process

with valuable insights, advice and assistance as they search for their next perfect space to call home.

Collaborating across departments, Virginia has the inside scoop on what’s new at Aryze—from engagement to development and construction. With personal experience searching for a pet-friendly apartment for her and her dog Lulu, Virginia understands how crucial it is to have the opportunity to rent with a pet.

“Pets are more than just animals—they’re important members of our families.”

With a holistic consideration for each household’s journey along the housing continuum, the Aryze Leasing program introduces renting as a flexible and inclusive option— one that, for some—just might make homeownership an afterthought. Reach out and connect with our leasing team to learn about our upcoming projects and rental opportunities.

a. b. Sarah and Virginia during an Aryze Leasing work session, fine-tuning the program from start to finish.

Our new Aryze Leasing website, developed with the modern renter in mind. Visit to learn more about our upcoming rental projects.

Sarah Henderson Director of Sales & Leasing

shenderson@aryze.ca

Sarah offers nearly a decade of sales and leasing experience, with a background in hospitality management. Her super power is her ability to connect with people and build strong, lasting relationships. With a keen sense of humour and an approachable nature, Sarah will help you find your new home—whether it’s for right now or forever.

Virginia Bryan Sales Representative

vbryan@aryze.ca

Virginia is your first point of contact for all things sales and leasing. Whether she’s out for a walk with her pug Lulu or exploring the city’s best shops and restaurants, Virginia spends time getting to know the unique qualities of each neighbourhood.

Sanpra—A New Approach to Property Management

A breath of fresh air in Victoria’s rental landscape is ushered in by two brothers leading with a people-first approach.

A Tale of Two Brothers

From finding student rentals for friends to a team of seven staff, Vinit and Siddharth have grown Sanpra into a leading property management company in Victoria. Sanpra’s values and practices not only resonate with Aryze’s commitment to celebrate the rental experience, they embody it with a resolute commitment to transparency and equity.

Sid and Vinit both came to Victoria as international students at the University of Victoria and the rental market was not a welcoming one. Vinit settled here first and found himself at a disadvantage when navigating the rental market, putting undue stress on him during what should have been an exciting milestone. When Sid made the big leap to the Island, he was able to stay with his brother but noticed that his friends faced similar struggles—finding the City’s rental landscape stained with prejudice and bias, transforming

what should be a straightforward and fair process of securing housing into a formidable challenge.

Facing the reality of discrimination when migrating to a new country and motivated to help their friends and other international students in finding accommodation, the two brothers were dubbed the student house hunters of Victoria, voluntarily supporting dozens of international students in their search. Their response to an overlooked market demand was hugely successful. With rave reviews from homeowners and tenants alike, the brothers were offered the opportunity to manage the process of matching students with the rooms for rent. Over time, their business model was born and Sanpra has expanded ever since to now managing several rental buildings throughout Greater Victoria, including two Aryze buildings—Ross Terrace and The Chord.

Sanpra has witnessed firsthand the frustration and disappointment that tenants can encounter, from unresponsive landlords to inadequate living conditions. Determined to change this narrative, they approach their role as advocates for renters, working tirelessly to ensure that every person they assist finds a home that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.

From left: Vinit and Siddarth Jain, Founders of Sanpra.

Sid and Vinit come from a close-knit, multi-generational household in India with a thriving family business in construction. Having always known that they wanted to start a business of their own, they registered the name Sanpra in 2016 without a plan. Deep personal significance lies within Sanpra’s name, which honours the memory of two family members who passed away at a young age. An amalgamation of their brothers’ first names, the business name was chosen to ensure that their legacy lives on forever. Through this commemoration Sid and Vinit are constantly reminded to strive for excellence and stay motivated when facing the headaches and roadblocks inherent to running a business. This thoughtful approach is embedded in all components of the business. The Sanpra name is not the only symbol of identity and purpose that shapes operations. The logo—two homes with a smile— represents the pathway they take tenants on from one home to the next, transforming an otherwise stressful experience into a supportive one.

“At Sanpra, we use the word fair a lot and that’s because, learning from our own personal experiences, we strongly believe in it.”

— SIDDHARTH JAIN

Rather than mimicking the way things have always been, Sanpra defies normative rental management standards. Charting their own path, Sid, Vinit—and the entire Sanpra team—have leveraged their personal experiences, beginning with a tenant’s perspective, to carve a distinct identity in the rental management industry. Their ability to empathize with the challenges renters are facing today comes from firsthand experience and allows both tenants and homeowners to resonate with their genuine approach.

Evident from a quick Google search, the company knows how to build positive relationships founded on trust and fairness—rare qualities in the current rental landscape. Not only are tenants’ needs addressed promptly and efficiently, their responsive and proactive communication ensures all stakeholders’ concerns are heard and addressed—going above and beyond the status quo.

Now managing over 200 rental units—and more on the horizon, including Centro and Norma—the burgeoning company stands firm in its values and goal of maintaining dignity in the rental market while offering the best service in the industry. This approach ensures a seamless transition and continuity of service from the Aryze lease-up to the day-to-day management by the Sanpra team.

Sarah and Vinit collaborating on the lease-up approach to ensure a seamless experience.

At Aryze, we believe that finding your next home should be exciting, not stressful. Looking to celebrate the leasing experience, our team will help you find the perfect home in a neighbourhood you already know and love.

Windsor Custom Home

Designed by Chris Foyd of BoForm, this custom home elegantly weaves modern and classical design details amongst a mature landscape located in South Oak Bay.

Blending warm tones of gray stone metal and cedar—and framed by foliage characteristic of the Oak Bay neighbourhood—this bungalow style floor plan of simple geometric shapes seamlessly blends into its garden backdrop. After dreaming up the perfect layout with the architect, this family’s “forever space” was completed in 2021.

As a single-story functioning bungalow with benefits—the home features an upper level library, spare bedroom and roof deck enveloped in the surrounding tree canopy. The essence of minimalism carries throughout the home, with clean, angular lines accentuated in what the homeowner’s call “spirit and soul of the house”—the breezeway. An essential

bit of strategic craftsmanship, and not without its challenges, the breezeway anchors the transition in both interior and exterior spaces, providing a sense of airiness and cohesion.

Progressive energy efficiency was of the utmost importance for this custom build, and as such, climate consciousness is reflected in the construction approach and overall livability of the home. For example, concrete supplied by Butler Brothers Concrete was chosen for its use of Carbon Cure technology to reduce embodied CO2. Extra insulation, high performance windows, an efficient heating system and unique air return fireplace prepares the home for energy independence with the use of future solar power.

A Family’s Forever Bungalow

Architect

Developer & Builder

Aryze

Photography

James Jones

A European-inspired warm neutral palette invokes a sense of relaxation. Clean lines and extensive storage create a functional space to gather and create memorable moments with family and friends.

Designed with the homeowner’s art collection in mind, each interior space inspires connection with different pieces. Whether it’s the Mary Water’s Dutch portraits of people from the 1600’s or the 1920’s Le Corbusier table and chairs that catch your eye, every design element and artwork has been thoughtfully placed to complement the home’s investment in minimal, crisp lines.

Artistic tastes for simple elegance are further embodied through the home in quality, timeless materials seen throughout—from the stone walkways and patios, to the millwork, hardware, flooring and tile.

Sunlight flows down the stairs from the skylights, bathing the foyer in light— this carries throughout the home, with oversized windows and a pervasive lighting gallery punctuating each space with moments of visual delight.

Little House

Pass by the side of the house through the whimsical “Avenue of the Giants” (named for its canopy of large and lush trees) to a space affectionately referred to as the “little house,” tucked away in the back garden. Set underneath a mature magnolia tree amongst the surrounding foliage—next to the preserved heritage wall, and with minimal ornamentation—it is a structure of visual and physical rest. This design aesthetic carries into the cedar clad garden suite which is home to a wood burning fireplace fondly titled “the squirrel,” which gently calls out to be snuggled up beside. Designed for work, gardening and getting away from it all, the little house furthers the free-flowing dialogue between home and garden found throughout the property.

Crafting Excellence

“Despite arising complexities and challenges, we’re able to dig deep and complete some really beautiful projects.”

— DAMIAN CLOW

Committed to the Process

It goes without saying that our construction team is at the heart of what we do. From a vigilant safety approach to proactive project management, their passion for the craft is evident in every facet of operations. With an unwavering commitment to expert craftsmanship, their dedication ensures that every project is built to the highest quality.

What’s more, when faced with project complexities—from site layout to supplies and labour—our team remains at the forefront of the industry, embracing sustainable building practices, refining their skills and collaborating seamlessly with other departments and stakeholders.

Damian Clow, our Director of Construction, calls Rhodo one of the most challenging projects of his

career. Built in less than two years, our construction team successfully navigated added complexities during the height of the pandemic to create the architecturally-minded collection of townhomes.

From the thoughtful design of each home, to the unique site orientation and vaulted ceilings, Rhodo surpasses the typical multifamily home finish with careful attention to detail—a testament to our team’s perseverance, precision and technical prowess.

With a number of projects currently under construction, this team remains a major force behind our success. Our ability to leave a lasting impact on the built environment that benefits current and future generations rests on their excellence in turning blueprints into tangible homes.

Featured left: Damain Clow, Director of Construction during a visit on site at Rhodo.

Members from the Consultant team and Construction team during a milestone Top Off celebration (meaning the building has reached its structural height) at 540 West Bay.

a. Michelle Griffin, Project Manager, walking down the stairs at Rhodo during a final site walkthrough.

From left: Hameed Opere, Mike Kral, Wade Whitlock, Adam LeBlanc on site.

Supporting city-building projects that help create healthy, resilient and inclusive communities.

Heard of Tiny Homes Village—the transitional housing community built from repurposed shipping containers in an underutilized parking lot located in the North Park neighbourhood? Or perhaps you’ve seen Project Albero, a floating swim dock with a Japanese Katsura tree anchored just off Banfield Park in the Gorge waterway? Both of these projects were completed by The Good City Project with support from partner organizations and crowdfunding. Whether we are enlivening the public realm with mural art installations at Tiny Homes Village or constructing a natural playspace to improve playground amenities near our purpose-built rental at 1025 Kings Road—placemaking is a central component to our

completed and upcoming projects. Projects financed through this fund are intentionally chosen to contribute to a more compact, equitable, green and livable city. This includes the exploration of placemaking, the public realm and built environments that support a high quality of life without undermining natural systems.

Focusing on rapid action and collaboration, The Good City Project fund looks to empower citizens who want to support their community. 100% of all funds raised are directed to support community initiatives, as all operating and admin costs are covered by the founding organizations, including Aryze Developments, Big Wheel Community Foundation and Synergy Enterprises.

Tiny Homes Village, 30 Transitional Housing Units Built from Repurposed Shipping Containers.

Fernwood NRG

Fernwood NRG’s childcare centre offers safe, nurturing and supportive care for infants, toddlers and 3–5 year olds.

Essential Upgrades

Operating since 1979, the centre was in dire need of a refresh to provide an accessible, functional and engaging space for the children and families it supports. The renovation wish list included new flooring, a covered wheelchair accessible outdoor patio, indoor/outdoor usable storage, a fresh coat of paint and an air conditioning unit to make the centre tolerable throughout the hot summer months.

With federal and provincial support—as well as labour donations from Aryze Developments and financial contributions from The Good City Project—the project was kick-started on a tight timeline. To minimize impacts to Fernwood NRG daycare operations, Aryze worked quickly to coordinate trades over the holiday closures in December 2022, focusing on the interior cosmetic updates for Phase 1. Completing this work while children and care providers were home for the holidays meant they returned to a fresh space in 2023, full of optimism for what’s to come.

b. Showcasing the new floors and a fresh coat of paint inside the main children’s play area.

From left: Jason Gowen and Paul Butuc taking a well-deserved break during renovations of the daycare exterior.

Redfern Park Commons

The South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association and The Good City Project team members coming together on location to discuss upcoming renovations to the park.

Prioritizing Diverse Greenspace

Plans for the park took root with an emphasis on accessible greenspace for all demographics.

In April 2023, City of Victoria Mayor and Council unanimously approved a 34-unit purpose built rental development led by Aryze, located at 1693 Fort Street in the heart of the South Jubilee neighbourhood. Thoughtfully designed with community in mind, the collection of attainable rental homes will not only fit in with the existing neighbourhood grain, but contribute to its continued vibrancy.

The South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association shared plans for their Redfern Park Commons Community Garden, as well as their proposal which outlined the costs associated with the design. Aryze shares a common goal of ensuring all neighbourhoods have access to diverse greenspace that is welcoming to all community members, and as such, The Good City Project saw an opportunity to participate in making this concept a reality through a financial contribution and additional fundraising efforts. Not only do existing residents need

programmed greenspace to suit all lifestyles, but the future residents of 1693 Fort Street will benefit from this community enhancement as well.

Together with Big Wheel Community Foundation, The Good City Project supported the South Jubilee Community Association with a donation towards their planned improvements to Redfern Park Garden. Envisioned as South Jubilee’s outdoor community gathering place, the urban garden includes edible fruit horticulture, raised beds for demonstration and education, accessible and shared seating, areas for community building and a small covered area to enjoy nature in the rain.

Fostering essential food literacy skills, educating on native horticulture and building community resilience is essential to support the liveability, economic and social health of the neighbourhood for current and future generations. In the long-term, we hope that this project will contribute to broader food security in our city.

If you’d like to learn more about the other projects we’re working on, or get involved, send us an email at hello@thegoodcityproject.ca.

Meet Melanie

Melanie Ransome is the Director of Communications & Engagement at Aryze and a seasoned strategist in marketing, branding and community building.

Creativity has been a constant throughout your career, how is that incorporated into your work with Aryze?

Why Aryze?

A: Q:

I reached a point in my career where I wanted to channel my work into things that align with my values and (hopefully!) make our city a better place. Joining Aryze represented an opportunity to utilize my skill sets in a way that felt really meaningful, while celebrating the city that has become my forever home. I found a deep sense of purpose for what we look to accomplish as a team and the community members who we get the opportunity to collaborate with.

An area that overlaps in the venn diagram of my love for Aryze is my passion for design in the built environment and the effect this can have on our confidence, sense of self and belonging. This is another reason why I love the new purpose-built rentals we create—just because you’re leasing doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice great design!

What’s

an average day like for you?

How would you describe Aryze’s approach to community engagement?

A: Q:

The term ‘developer’ can hold a lot of weight, so I like to showcase the values, passion and care that drive the work we do and the people behind these ideas. We, too, have kids who play in the local parks, dogs who need a space to run and a passion for our city—leaving it a better place than we found it.

Most meaningfully, though, we try to share the data behind our decisions and the driving factors behind some of the pain points we are all feeling in the housing market right now.

There’s a deep entrepreneurial spirit that courses through the organization, so each day is completely different— which is the way I like it! That said, the best part of my day is time spent with our team at Aryze and collaborating with so many community partners—folks who share aligned values with our organization. That’s what I love so much about The Good City Project and working with Calen McNeil at Big Wheel Community Foundation and Jill Doucette at Synergy Foundation. Together we get to brainstorm ways to make a meaningful difference in our city— whether through building playgrounds, a floating dock and funding projects that are close to our hearts.

The Missing Middle Can Save Cities

Written by Luke Mari, Principal at Aryze

Among debates about whether electric cars are the answer to our climate woes or merely a mechanism to justify sprawling suburbia, and conspiracy theories about walkable ‘15-minutecity’ neighbourhoods, we are failing to emphasize some the very people who are at the core of the issue, and who desperately need housing options at the core of our cities: families.

The unfortunate reality is that we are throttling the evolution of cities in Canada through misguided and regressive governance—and while the impact is felt by many—the lack of family-friendly housing will continue

to have a significant impact on our potential as a region.

Looking at demographic data for Vancouver Island paints a bleak picture. According to the provincial government’s 2023 labour market outlook, Victoria has the highest projected rate of job growth in the province: a good thing, right? When projected demographic trends are taken into account, this demand for workers is exposed as the dilemma of a generation to solve. By 2030, the City of Victoria is projected to be a 25% senior population, which is consistent with Saanich and the CRD as a whole.

Figure 1

Projected Senior Population of Victoria—Where is the workforce coming from, and where are they going to live?

Crucial to the ability to attract this workforce to Victoria (and keep them here) will be the creation of family-friendly housing suitable for those with children. Victoria’s current infrastructure suggests that these families will need to live in and around the urban core. This symbiotic relationship between housing and our economic potential has been broadly ignored in the heated back and forth regarding the Missing Middle housing policies proposed both here and in Vancouver, but its relevance cannot be understated.

So, let’s say we can attract and retain people of working age and Missing Middle housing is built for families within the urban core of the

Capital Region; despite having to dodge a few more tricycles as we walk down the streets, we would be the beneficiaries of a host of positive outcomes. Not only would our economy thrive from a healthy workforce, but there would be more density to support our local businesses.

According to a study by the National League of Cities, urban areas with a high number of children tend to have a lower poverty rate and more stable economy, owing to the fact that families with kids tend to spend more on local goods and services. Data also shows that cities with children are more culturally enriched, as these areas tend to be more welcoming and appealing to newcomers.

Figure 2 Children per Capita and the Relation to Household Poverty.

We also need to acknowledge that housing alone is not enough; kidcentric planning extends beyond creating spaces for Lego-littered carpets. Vibrant, family-friendly cities require playgrounds, fields, splash pads, schools, corner stores and—perhaps most importantly— streets and sidewalks that are safe and easy to walk, roll and scoot down. It’s not that we can’t accommodate this checklist within suburban development, but the established city core is best equipped to answer the needs of growing families.

When it comes to road safety, ICBC data show us that the older core communities are where road users can feel safest: when normalized for daytime and nighttime populations, Victoria, Oak Bay and Esquimalt are three of the four safest municipalities in the Capital Regional District. The region’s inner residential neighbourhoods are already furnished with the basics: serviceable transportation routes, closely-spaced amenities and recreation infrastructure. These are the areas we should be encouraging young families to call home.

Now is our opportunity to ensure that this housing ends up where we need it most: in our urban core, close to all of the other things families require for happy, sustainable lives. Municipal governments seem to be hitting an inflection point in terms of the political will to lead with proactive measures. Victoria passing the Missing Middle Housing Initiative—while an incremental step—is an unprecedented example of a Council willing to take the long view and exude bold leadership to ensure the continued vibrancy and competitiveness of a medium-sized city. This confluence of factors means that we have a real opportunity to spread this model across both the province and country.

Figure 3

Showing core communies where road users can feel safest.

While we have many reasons to be hopeful that Canadian cities will continue to appeal to families, affordability remains a challenge. This is where we need to emphasize federal incentives.

Looking back at the 1960s–1980s, Canada built a great deal of rental housing for middle income earners through the Multi Unit Residential Housing (MURB) program; in fact, the vast majority of Victoria’s current rental building stock, even today, was built from that program and time period. If grant programs such as this were married with the Missing Middle Housing Initiative and our strong Council leadership, we could not only reinforce our urban fabric with multigenerational neighbourhoods, but create long-term resiliency through attainable rental housing.

Looking locally, one step in the path towards a more affordable Victoria is acceleration of the municipal Rapid Deployment of Affordable Housing (RDAH) program. The RDAH promises quick approval processes for affordable housing that meets program criteria (including requisite non-profit ownership), eliminating the necessity for any form of Council approval. This delegates the development permit process entirely to staff, shaving what can be years off of the development timeline. A significant policy maneuver on its own, this newfound prioritization is poised for a massive boost due to the approval of the Missing Middle Housing

Initiative. For instance, the recently completed Anawim Women’s House would now be exempt from the Council approval process, which stretched well over a year in duration.

We all want a city where projects like Anawim’s new Women’s House—which provides seven private apartments to women at risk of violence—are more easily and efficiently constructed. In September 2022, 14 Greater Victoria non-market housing providers released a list of calls to action, urging local governments to accelerate processes, unlock municipal land and promote collaboration. We can safely say that these aforementioned policy innovations are addressing the first and third items. Imagine the progress we could see if the City began to make municipal land available in a meaningful way? This is the next step.

When viewed individually, this spectrum of housing obstacles can seem overwhelming. Where do we begin? Like any good puzzle, we start on the edges and work our way in. With new policy frameworks and bold municipal leadership, we’re well on our way—and if we stay focused on the task at hand the middle pieces won’t be missing for long.

By Songhees Nation, for Songhees Nation

A Thoughtful Approach

1502 Admirals is an affordable, purpose-built rental development for Songhees Nation Members, located on Songhees land. More than a decade since new Member housing has been created, this development represents an opportunity to bring Members home. We are honoured to be supporting the development process for this meaningful project to provide rental housing by Songhees Nation, for Songhees Nation.

Rendering showcasing the proposed development 1502 Admirals.

Songhees Nation Staff and Councillor Karen Tunkara, alongside the Aryze team, at an Open House Information Session for the development.

Project Pillars

Partnerships

Building long-term, collaborative relationships between Songhees Nation, Aryze, funding partners and governments, both locally and regionally

Housing

Providing high-quality member homes developed on Songhees Nation Land

Economic Development

A grant-based and self-sustaining economic development opportunity that benefits Songhees Nation

Affordability

Responding to the ongoing housing crisis by providing below-market rate attainable housing

Building Community from the Ground Up

Completion is a huge milestone for any project, but this one is really close to our hearts. With the support of local businesses and suppliers we built Anawim’s first Women’s House which provides much-needed support for at-risk women.

Housing is a human right—intrinsic to a person’s sense of health, safety and place. What’s often overlooked is the importance of placemaking in private spaces, too. Our emotional connection to place and community is strengthened when our house feels like home.

We know fostering community is about more than just building houses, but creating a sense of place. When Anawim reached out about building a comfortable and safe Women’s House that provides much-needed support for at-risk women, we were honoured to work with the organization and take a positive step forward in addressing the need for transitional housing in

Led by our Construction Project Manager, Michelle Griffin, the home features seven bedrooms, including a wheelchair-accessible unit, shared bathrooms, a communal kitchen and living spaces. The Women’s House

our city. In 2020, the Greater Victoria Point-In-Time Homeless Count & Needs Survey reported 487 homeless women in the city; of those, 243 were in transitional housing, a hotel or someone else’s home.

With the support of many local businesses and suppliers, we built a 4,500 sqft, two-storey home that’s secure, women-only and accessible—on a property gifted to Anawim by an anonymous donor.

Architect D’Arcy Jones Architects

Developer & Builder Aryze

Landscape Designer Biophilia Design Collective

Photography James Jones

“This house was built by the hands of many and it shows in all of the work.”

— SIEWUKE STOPPEL

a. b. Siewuke Stoppel hosting a tour of the Anawim Companion Society Women’s House.

Michelle Griffin outside of the Aryze Offices located in Fairfield, Victoria BC.

The Women’s House functions similarly to Anawim’s Men’s House in using the ‘Family Model’, which emphasizes everyone’s responsibility to contribute equally for a healthy, productive living environment; the same expectations you would have of your own family.

Sieuwke Stoppel, the radiantly charismatic Director of Women’s Services, made the jump to the Island from the prairies to lead this new program for the Anawim Companion Society. Aligned with the program’s value model, she believes the program will help women who are not always in plain sight, but need support.

“Everything was so heavy during the pandemic, but every person I reached out to immediately wanted to help.”

— MICHELLE GRIFFIN

Michelle has led several community projects at Aryze, including the Anawim Women’s House, the Fernwood NRG renovations and a playground space at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s XaXe SŦELITKEL Childcare Centre.

Community Driven Construction

Most of us encounter construction on the roads and get frustrated, but Michelle Griffin gets inspired. Making a beeline for the industry since she was twelve years old, driving around the city with her mom and growing fascinated with the machines at different sites, she brings a comprehensive foundation of expertise and passion to our construction management team.

As her first big undertaking as Project Manager with Aryze, Michelle led this meaningful build to completion in a 9-month timeline while navigating the construction complexities that the pandemic brought across the industry.

Despite the obstacles encountered during COVID, partner organizations and suppliers were eager to help out in any way that they could.

a. Michelle working out of the Aryze office in Fairfield during the Women’s House construction.

b. Donors, community members and the Aryze team celebrating at the ground breaking ceremony.

The project received a staggering number of donations. From insulation and drywall to countertops and flooring, community partners stepped up to get this home built as soon as possible with a care to include the highest quality in design and materials. What’s more, the new Women’s House received support from the City of Victoria Housing Reserve Fund, the Carole and Clint Forster Foundation at the Victoria Foundation and individual donors.

From the raised garden beds to the awe-inspiring kitchen that floods with natural light, the quality of gracious donations and careful attention to detail carries throughout the home. Architectural elements like a curved feature wall and windows placed with privacy in mind showcase design and construction as an act of inspiration and care, because where we call home can set the path for new chapters ahead.

Honouring Ryan

Ryan Goodman Co-Founder

In Loving Memory

1981-2022

It goes without saying, this last year has been heartbreaking for Ryan’s family and our entire organization. We are an extremely tight-knit team and Ryan was the driving force behind so much of what we do. The world lost a loving father, husband, brother, son, grandson and dear friend to many, and while we continue to mourn the loss of this amazing individual, we also want to celebrate the joy he brought to so many people across our organization and community.

Ryan and Kirsten first planted roots in Victoria in 2012 and never looked back. Over the years, Ryan touched the lives of many throughout Victoria; his quirky and authentic nature had a way of bringing people together, often with some memorable and funny stories to commemorate the occasion.

While he wasn’t the one in the public eye, Ryan was the connective tissue between the heart and the soul of Aryze. Ryan’s passion for urbanism and design was only outshone by his passion to make a difference in our city. He leaves a lasting legacy that continues to propel our team forward with purpose.

Our approach at Aryze has always been people-first; we are who we are because of our team, full stop. As we’ve grown over the years, Ryan continued to embody and safeguard this priority, making sure each and every person felt empowered to make a difference in the organization—and our city at large. But we’re also family-first and as we navigate the opportunities that lie ahead we prioritize time with our loved ones, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

After Ryan’s passing, we created this emblem—his signature—as a way to honour his spark, creativity and originality that was like no other. While his legacy is inextricably interwoven into everything Aryze, we will continue to keep his spirit alive through the memories we shared together and we hope you will do the same.

Credits

From the Desk of Aryze—Isabella Haley

Our Approach—Ben Farris

Rhodo—Eli Ramraj, Jacob McNeil, Jody Beck

Homeowner Stories—Jody Beck

Introducing Aryze Leasing—Isabella Haley

Sanpra—A New Approach to Property Management—Isabella Haley Windsor Custom Home—James Jones

Crafting Excellence—Isabella Haley

The Good City Project—Isabella Haley

Meet Melanie—Isabella Haley

By Songhees Nation, for Songhees Nation—Isabella Haley

Building Community from the Ground Up—Ben Farris, Isabella Haley, James Jones

Honouring Ryan—Ben Farris, Eli Ramraj

We acknowledge with respect the L k w ŋ n and WSÁNEĆ peoples, known today as the Songhees, Esquimalt, Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tsawout and Tseycum Nations, on whose traditional territory we live and work. e e ‘ e