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.
Condo/Strata
35 Newcastle Ave 202, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #461305
Fabulous 1,818 Sf Condominium With A Panoramic View Over The Nanaimo Harbour. Be Part Of One Of The Best Waterfront Locations Close To Downtown. Enjoy The Fireworks, Dragon Boats, Silly Boat Races And Forever Boating Activities With The Best Seat In The Hou...
Single Family
595 Larch Street, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #461895
Beautiful New Construction House With Spectacular Ocean View And Open Concept Floor Plan. This House Has 3 Spacious Bedrooms And 4 Bath With A Large Media Room And Hardwood Flooring Throughout. Breathtaking Views From Most Rooms And A Large Deck Off Of Main...
Single Family
410 Larch Street, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #460733
Ocean Views - Brechin Hill Carriage House Zoned - Corner Lot. Level Entry Fully Finished Basement. Fully Updated Throughout Including New Deck, Roof, Insulation, Heating System, Electrical, Plumbing. New Heat Pump And Furnace Still Under Warranty. Air Condi...
Condo/Strata
566 Stewart Ave 301, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #462127
Immaculate Oceanfront Condo ! Luxury Suite Designed To Take Full Advantage Of The Views Of Newcastle Channel. Located In The Channel View Upscale Strata Complex Of Promenade Oceanside Homes This Impressive Building W/ Stunning Architecture, Meticulously Mai...
Condo/Strata
1250 Stewart Ave 404, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #460219
Located Within A Downtown Marina, This Hotel Grade, Furnished 2-bedroom 2 Baths Condo Is Ideal For Those Seeking An Easy Waterfront Lifestyle That Combines Luxury, Comfort And Convenience. It Overlooks The Dynamic Newcastle Channel Busy With Boats, Kayaks, ...
Condo/Strata
1250 Stewart Ave 304, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #460218
Located Within A Downtown Marina, This Hotel Grade, Furnished 2-bedroom 2 Baths Condo Is Ideal For Those Seeking An Easy Waterfront Lifestyle That Combines Luxury, Comfort And Convenience. It Overlooks The Dynamic Newcastle Channel Busy With Boats, Kayaks, ...
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 ...
Condo/Strata
220 Townsite Road 503, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #454792
Bright, Spacious Ocean View Condo Steps From The Nanaimo Seawall And Within Walking Distance To Two Marinas. Also, Conveniently Nearby Is The Ferry Terminal And The Seaplane Terminal As Well As Downtown Shopping And Restaurants. This Spacious 1107 Sf Two Be...
Condo/Strata
580 Stewart Ave 106, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #461499
Bright 2 Bedroom Condo By The Marina In Nanaimo. This 2 Bedroom 838 Sq Ft Condo Is In The Edgewater Complex Built In 2008 And Located Only A Minute Walking Distance To The Beautiful Marina. It Is A Corner Unit Which Gives Extra Sunlight And The Covered Deck...
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.
