When you disembark from the ferries at Departure Bay, Brechin Road runs up the hill beside you. From here, almost all the way to downtown, is the old Newcastle Townsite. This neighbourhood includes a lot of different styles, many of them rare and highly desirable. These homes were built to enjoy the amazing views of Departure Bay and Newcastle Island; decks are large, windows are tall, roads are steep, and there's a sort of maritime feeling. Even if your home doesn't have an ocean view, you will see the water every day - up close - as you come and go.
Note, the real estate board calls this whole area "Brechin Hill" after the coal mine settlement (Brechin) that was near the present BC Ferries terminal and Brechin Road. But closer to downtown (around the White Spot restaurant and the Yacht Club), the area is called "Newcastle" after the Newcastle Townsite that was here in the early days (and from whence Townsite Rd gets its name).
View Brechin and Newcastle home listings below, or read more about the neighbourhood.
Single Family
522 Vancouver Ave, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #464578
Here Is A True Nanaimo Classic In Ever Poplar Vancouver Ave. A Short Walk To The Famous Seawall And Nanaimo's Marinas. This Well Built Beauty Was Built In 1937 And Has Been Maintained And Updated. Gorgeous Oak Flooring, Leaded French Doors And Many Light Fi...
Condo/Strata
27 Cypress Street, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #464557
Waterfront Living At Its Best! Three Story Townhouse On Nanaimo's Seawall With Stunning Views Of Newcastle Island And The Marina. Enjoy One Of Three Ocean Front Patios While Watching The Boats Sail By, Sea Planes Or Launch Your Kayak Right In Front Of Your ...
Condo/Strata
29 Cypress Street, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #465154
Lifestyle & West Coast Living.1min From Your Door W/your Kayak & You'll Be On The Ocean Living The Life You've Dreamed.welcome To This Pristine Oceanfront 0 Maintenance Home!no Shovelling Snow Just Pure Bliss On The Water!this 3lvl Show Home Features New He...
Condo/Strata
550 Blue Girl Way 301, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #463107
Located In The Desirable Newport Residences Overlooking The Marina And Newcastle Channel, This Updated 3 Bedroom Condo Offers The Advantage Of Main Level Entry Living With Both An Ocean Facing Balcony And Rear Patio With Southern Exposure. This Large Corner...
Single Family
561 Stewart Ave, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #463413
Spacious Character Home In Well-established Brechin Hill Neighbourhood. Overlooking The Newcastle Channel, This Home Is Nicely Set Up With 4 Beds And 2 Baths On 3 Levels. The Upper Level Could Be Converted To A 1 Bedroom Suite, And The Second Level Is Brigh...
Condo/Strata
566 Stewart Ave 303, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #462972
Ocean View Condo. Enjoy The Ever Changing Scenery Overlooking The Boat Marinas, The Activity On The Water And The Fabulous Waterfront Walkway. Located In The Channel View Upscale Strata Complex Of Rare Promenade Oceanside Homes This Impressive Building W/ S...
Condo/Strata
375 Newcastle Ave 501, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #462440
Beautifully Renovated Apartment With Stunning Ocean And Marina Views. Steps To The Yacht Club And A Wonderful Waterfront Boardwalk This Centrally Located Property Offers A Unique Lifestyle Opportunity. Gorgeous Designer Finishes And A Fabulous Open Floor Pl...
Condo/Strata
500 Stewart Ave 603, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #463947
Ocean And Marina View Corner Unit Condo In The Newport Building On Stewart Avenue. This Large 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Plus Den Condo Is Over 1300 Square Feet And Offers Beautiful Views Of The Marina, Newcastle Island And The Ocean Channel. This Bright And Sun...
Condo/Strata
1250 Stewart Ave 402, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #459606
Two Bdrm, 2 Bathroom Unit In Marinaside Resort, A Luxurious Boutique Style Resort Condominium With Secure Underground Parking Garage. This Is A Great Opportunity To Own A Contemporary Condo For Yourself As A Permanent Residence Or An Island Getaway. If You ...
Ocean views are the norm for homes on Brechin Hill, with about 35-40 multi-family buildings and about 550 single-family homes perched on steep streets running down to the ocean.
This area runs the length of the Newcastle Channel between Departure Bay and Nanaimo Harbour - it's a very central, desirable location - and yet much of it is quiet and cozy, disturbed only by float planes and the horns of the Departure Bay ferry terminal.
The larger portion of this neighbourhood is between the ocean and Terminal Park Mall - on your right for several blocks as you drive off the ferry toward downtown. On this end of Brechin, east/west streets are named for trees: Willow, Chestnut, Maple, etc. The lots in this area tend to be about 6000-9000 square feet, or larger for certain corner properties and lots near the water.
Less quiet is the southern end of Brechin (Newcastle Ave., Vancouver Ave.), closer to downtown and nearer the island highway. For lovers of old-town Nanaimo, this is the best real estate available, matched only by the Old City area. This neighbourhood's streets slope down to the ocean, such that you can usually look down the road and see boats, backdropped by Newcastle Island across a narrow channel. There are a number of apartment buildings and some very fine old homes; this was the original Newcastle Townsite where many of the early 20th century elite built gorgeous estate homes on large lots. These have since been subdivided, but some houses still sit on 10,000-19,000 sqft parcels. If you love mature gardens and fine craftsman homes, this neighbourhood is worth checking out.
There are several condos in the Brechin area, from waterfront developments down on Stewart Avenue (the road running between BC Ferries and downtown) to ocean view apartments up on Vancouver Avenue (closer to downtown) and Estevan Road (Terminal Park shopping mall).
Back to Nanaimo neighbourhoods
VIREB IDX Reciprocity listings are displayed in accordance with VIREB's broker reciprocity Agreement and are copyright © the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. The above information is from sources deemed reliable but it should not be relied upon without independent verification.
