

Esquimalt Town Council has given the green light to turn an EconoLodge into pet-friendly rental apartments, with some possibly ready for occupancy by this fall.

Mayor Barb Desjardins says council unanimously okayed plans to convert the 122-room EconoLodge Inn & Suites near the Craigflower Bridge on the Old Island Highway into 96-units of rental housing, as well as a commercial element.



The Developer, GMC Projects, will get started immediately and predicts 14 studio and one-bedroom suites could be ready by fall. Desjardins says the developer is already receiving applications. Rents will be at the market rate.



The final plan is to have studio, one and two-bedroom apartments between 350 and 800 square. feet as well as 5 waterfront cabins with two-bedroom units in the 800 square foot range, while one of the cabins will feature a single four-bedroom apartment encompassing some 1,500 square feet.

Completion of the conversion is expected late next year or early 2019.