Brechin Hill / Newcastle
Brechin Hill: 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. The east/west streets on this end 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.
There are a lot of great homes in this area! From cute old wartime bungalows to mid-century-modern gems, to modern steel and glass homes built to take in the water views, homes in Brechin are some of the most affordable oceanview homes in Nanaimo.
Newcastle: As you head toward downtown, the homes get older - you're now in the "Newcastle" neighbourhood, though it's still "Brechin" according to the real estate board.
There are a number of low-rise apartment buildings in this area, with more being added over time.
This is also where you will find some very fine historic homes; this was the original Newcastle Townsite where many of the early 20th century elite built gorgeous craftsman homes on large lots. Those estates have since been subdivided, but some of the houses still sit on 10,000-19,000 sqft parcels. For lovers of old-town Nanaimo, this is the best real estate available, matched only by the Old City area.
Contact me if you want to be notified of any new listings showing up in Brechin and Newcastle. Or, see below for current properties for sale.
Brechin Hill Homes
This is 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.
Homes in Brechin are typically built to enjoy the amazing views of Departure Bay, Newcastle Channel and Nanaimo Harbour; decks are large, windows are tall, roads are steep, and there's a sort of maritime feeling. The neighbourhood's streets slope down to the ocean, so that even if you don't have a view from your house, you can look down the road as you arrive at home, seeing boats backdropped by Newcastle Island across a narrow channel.
Condos & Townhomes: Stratas in Brechin/Newcastle
Brechin Views - Two 4-storey apartment buildings built in the mid-90s, located next to Terminal Park Mall above the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.
Bryden Beach - A mid-90s four-storey apartment building close to the Queen Elizabeth Promenade section of the waterfront.
Bryden Court - This 1970s apartment building maintains a sense of style two blocks from the ocean.
Channel View Place - Two 4-storey condo buildings, between Stewart Ave and the harbourfront walkway.
Edgewater - One condo building up on Stewart Ave at Cypress St, plus two sets of rowhomes below, along the waterfront walkway.
Harbour City One - A 10-storey condo apartment building built in 1990, just two blocks from the water.
Harbour Towers - This 8-storey condo apartment tower was built in 1977 and is right across from the Promenade, near the yacht club.
Harbour View Court - A 1990s 4-storey condo building with some channel views.
Marinaside / Palms Resort - A 4-storey condo built in 2011 with unique features for investors and commuters.
Marine Vista - This 8-storey condo apartment went up in 2008, just two blocks from the waterfront.
Newcastle Vista - This four-storey build is right across the road from the waterfront, near the Pearson St bridge.
The Newport - These four 1990s condo buildings are right between Stewart Ave and the water.
Oakwood Manor - This 3-storey 1980s condo apartment building is ideally located just across the bridge from downtown.
Royal Vista - This 7-storey apartment condo building is just a few steps from the Queen Elizabeth II Promenade Park.
Seaview - These 1993-built condos are on Stewart Ave at Rosehill St, near the waterfront.
The Reef - Four storey apartment building from the 1960s, with just 7 units, right above the water.
