When you disembark from the ferries at Departure Bay, you're near the old Brechin coal mine site, and Brechin Road runs up the hill to your right. If you head toward downtown, the homes get older and the name transitions to "Newcastle" or "Newcastle Townsite" after the original neighbourhood which was outside of Nanaimo city limits! But this whole area from the ferries to the bridge into downtown, is called "Brechin" by the real estate board.
The Brechin 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.
For the aficionado of 1920s-era mansions, check out the area around the White Spot restaurant and the Yacht Club!
Located On One Of Nanaimo's Rarest Pieces Of Property, Less Than A Dozen Single-family Homes Sit On Nanaimo's Harbourfront And This Is One Of Them. This 5 Bed 3 Bath Home Was Built To Embrace The Stunning Views Of Nanaimo Harbour, The Local Marinas And Newc...
Here's Your Opportunity To Own A Rare Piece Of Nanaimo History. The Story Is That This Home Was Once The Farm House Approximately 100 Years Ago To A 26 Acre Orchard. Throughout The Area Fruit Trees Are Still Producing. You Won't Find Many Properties Like Th...
Spectacular Views From This Beautiful 1500 Sq Ft Plus 2 Bedroom And Den Condo. Gracious Living In A Lovley Corner Suite With Views From Mt Benson To The Inner Harbour And North Shore Mountains! New Updated Carpets Ready For You To Move Right. Full Suite Of ...
Waterfront Living At Its Best! Come And See This Fabulous 1400 Sq Ft Condo Right On The Waterfront. Tastefully Updated With A New Kitchen, Paint And More. Offering 2 Bedrooms (or 1 Bedroom With Den) With 2 Full Bathrooms Including An Opulent Ensuite. Th...
Quality Renovation: This Gorgeous 2 Bed, 2 Bath Condo, With Ocean Views Of Newcastle Channel/seawall Out Your Front Door, Boasts Over 1200 Sq/ft And Has Been Renovated With Quality Finishing In Its Entirety. With Wide Plank Floors Throughout, The Massive Di...
Waterfront Remodelled Two Bedroom 1.5 Baths Southeast Facing Corner Suite. Adjacent To The Nanaimo Yacht Club ( See Photo's) Views Of Ocean, 786 Acre Newcastle Provincial Park The Harbour, And Mainland Mountains. Waterfront Walkway And Park At Your Doorst...
How Would You Like To Retire By The Ocean? Enjoy Incredible Sunrises And Stroll Along The Sea Wall Rain Or Shine. This Location Truly Captures The Island Lifestyle!! Unit 602 Is Situated On The South East Corner Of The Building Taking Advantage Of Spectacul...
Seldom Do Residences In The Sought After Royal Vista Come Available. Located On The South Side Of The Building This 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo Offers A Great Floor Plan With Hardwood Flooring, Spacious Rooms And A Balcony To Take In The Views Of The Ocean And...
Rarely Do Lots In The Brechin Hill Area Come Up For Sale! Almost Level And Offering 6900 Sq Ft For Your Custom Home. Walking Distance To A Ton Of Amenities Including The Nanaimo Seawall, Restaurants, Shopping And More. City Water And Sewer Are At The Pro...
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).
