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!
View Brechin and Newcastle home listings below, or read more about the neighbourhood.
Land
565 Brechin Rd, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #874670
This Property Has Been Held By The Same Family For Decades And Is Finally Ready For Its Next Chapter. Offering Just Under 2 Acres Of Land In The Heart Of Brechin Hill, Acreage Opportunities Within City Limits Like This One Almost Never Present Themselves. ...
Condo Apartment
375 Newcastle Ave 700, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #870382
Enjoy Breathtaking Views From Every Room In This Luxury Penthouse Just Steps Away From Nanaimo's Yacht Club & Seawall. This Spectacular 2 Bdrm, 3 Bath 2826 Sq.ft Condo Is Full Of Unique Features. The New Kitchen Reno Has It All: Beautiful Custom Cabinets, Q...
Single Family Detached
618 Drake St, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #873598
This 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Brechin Hill Home Is Loaded With Charm. The Main Level Living Has 2 Bedrooms And 2 Renovated Bathrooms. Original Gleaming Hardwood Floors Walk You Through The Main Level. The Huge Living Room Has Pot Lighting A Cozy Wood Fireplac...
Single Family Detached
447 Maple St, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #874657
Situated Just Steps Away From The Nanaimo Seawall, Restaurants, Shopping Amenities, & More, This Location Is Sure To Impress Any Potential Purchaser. Convenient Access To All Parts Of Nanaimo And Walking Distance To Float Planes And Ferries, This Is Ideal ...
Single Family Detached
959 Brechin Rd, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #871590
Classic Charmer With A 2-bedroom Unauthorized Suite And Lovely Departure Bay Ocean And Coastal Mountain Views. Large Yet Private Yard With A Separate Outbuilding For Shop Or Carpark, And Plenty Of Room For Multiple Parking. The Home Has Updated Flooring, Wi...
Single Family Detached
395 Chestnut St, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #870520
3 Bedroom House With Tons Of Potential! This Adorable Bungalow Has Views Of Newcastle Channel And Is Literally Steps From Popular Restaurants, Shops, The Brechin Boat Launch, The Departure Bay Ferry And Seaplanes With Direct Access To Vancouver. The Floor P...
Single Family Detached
583 Chestnut St, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #873676
Location, Location, Location – 2 Bedroom And Den Tranquil Piece Of Paradise In Brechin Hill. The Huge Yard Spans From Maple To Chestnut And The Gardens, Ponds, And Fruit Trees All Await Your Green Thumb To Continue Nurturing, Just Waiting To Burst With Flow...
Condo Apartment
1250 Stewart Ave 206, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #869971
Welcome To This Very Special Home - Whether You Are Looking For A Fabulous 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Home To Live In Or An Investment Home That Can Garner Premium Rent, This Is The Home For You!! Imagine Working From Home All Day, Enjoying Views Of The Ma...
Condo Apartment
355 Stewart Ave 302, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #874680
Check Out The Gorgeous Ocean Views As You Walk In To This Well Maintained Third Floor 1,030 Sq Ft Unit. One Block To The Harbourfront Walkway For Your Daily Walk! The Main Living Area Has Large Windows To Take In The View, A Natural Gas Fireplace (gas Incl...
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.
