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
1250 Stewart Ave Ph2, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #458986
Unique Marina Side Opportunity. This Beautiful 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Penthouse On The Top Floor Of The Marinaside Resort Allows For Full Time Residency In A Central Nanaimo Location. Enjoy Glorious Views Of The Marina And Ocean From All The Main Rooms And R...
Single Family
595 Larch Street, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #459003
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® #458139
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...
Full Duplex
525 & 527 Brechin Road, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #459915
Legal Duplex Plus A Bonus Airbnb Unit! This Attractive Duplex In Desirable Brechin Hills Neighbourhood Boasts Incredible Ocean And Island Views And Offers An Additional Opportunity For Income With The Airbnb Unit On The Lower Level And Coin-operated Laundry...
Single Family
749 Drake Street, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #457974
Ocean And Mountain Views In Desirable Brechin Hill Neighborhood. Built In 1948 With Features Of The Era; Beautifully Maintained With Contemporary Upgrades. Fabulously Renovated 4 Bedroom And 2 Bathroom Home Overlooking Departure Bay And Newcastle Island. Fu...
Single Family
411 Hemlock Street, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #456706
Large Bay Windows Provide Park Views, Ocean Glimpses And Mountain Vistas From A Very Convenient And Centrally Located Corner Lot In Popular Brechin Hill. This Character Home Is A 15 Minute Walk To The Ferry, Flights Downtown, Waterfront Walkways And Restaur...
Single Family
888 Chestnut Street, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #454908
Well Maintained 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Split Level Home On A Very Quiet Cul-de-sac In The Brechin Area Of Nanaimo. This Home Seen Numerous Updates Over The Last Few Years. New Gas Furnace Installed In 2018. Kitchen Upgraded With New Counter Tops And Tile Flo...
Condo/Strata
500 Stewart Ave 603, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #458079
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 405, Nanaimo, BC
MLS® #458764
This Elegant 906 Sq Ft, 2 Bdrm, 2 Bthrm Oceanfront Condo Offers A Open Concept Floor Plan & Chic Modern Finishings. This 4th Floor Suite Offers Stunning Views Of Nanaimo Harbour, Newcastle Isld & Channel Below. On Nanaimo Harbourfront Walkway This Central L...
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
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