Centurion Property Associates to Demolish Structurally Deficient Ridgeview Place in Langford, BC, Plans Multifamily Redevelopment

Centurion Property Associates Inc. announced Sept. 15 that it will demolish Ridgeview Place, an 11-storey, 90-unit purpose-built rental tower at 2770 Claude Road in Langford, British Columbia, and pursue a new multifamily residential development on the site. The decision ends a years-long effort to remediate a building that was twice evacuated due to serious structural deficiencies rooted in its original design and construction.

A Prolonged Structural Failure

Centurion Property Associates acquired Ridgeview Place — formerly known as Danbrook One — in August 2019, after the City of Langford had issued an occupancy permit for the building earlier that year. The acquisition came after the building's design and construction had been completed by third-party firms. Within months of the purchase, the City revoked the occupancy permit in December 2019 after an independent engineering report found the tower did not comply with BC Building Code seismic standards, forcing approximately 120 to 130 residents to vacate.

Centurion subsequently engaged independent engineering and architectural firms to carry out a structural remediation program, spending approximately $1 million on upgrades. The City of Langford reissued the occupancy permit in April 2022, and residents returned to their units.

The reprieve was short-lived. In April 2023, Engineers and Geoscientists BC raised concerns that unresolved structural design faults may have persisted despite the remediation work. A third-party engineering firm engaged by Centurion conducted an assessment and concluded the building was unsafe. On April 24, 2023, the City revoked the occupancy permit for a second time, citing ongoing life safety concerns related to the structural design and performance of the building. Centurion again issued a notice to vacate.

Engineering investigations identified a range of deficiencies originating in the building's original design, including non-compliant seismic design, under-designed core footings, inadequate foundation design, grossly undersized strip footings, inadequate slab support, and undersized steel columns. Engineers and Geoscientists BC stated it had no evidence that a comprehensive review of the structural design or as-built structure had been undertaken as part of the 2022 remediation, raising doubts that the upgrades had fully addressed the underlying flaws. A second engineer involved in the building's original design was separately accused of unprofessional conduct and incompetence for delivering a structural design that did not meet seismic standards.

Demolition Decision After Exhausting Options

Following the second evacuation, Centurion worked with structural engineers, construction specialists, and other industry experts to evaluate potential paths forward for the property, which remained vacant for more than 10 months after residents were removed in April 2023.

After that review, the firm concluded that demolition is the best course of action. "Following an extensive review of the available options, Centurion Property Associates Inc. has made the decision to proceed with the demolition of Ridgeview Place," the company stated in its announcement. The firm noted that the serious structural issues identified were traced to the building's original design and construction, prior to Centurion's acquisition of the property.

Centurion said it did not develop, design, or construct the original building, and that it acquired the property relying on the building permits, approvals, and occupancy permit that were in place at the time of purchase. A specific timeline for the demolition has not yet been finalized, and the firm said further details will be shared as they are confirmed.

Redevelopment Plans for the Langford Site

Centurion Property Associates said it is actively developing a plan to rebuild on the site in partnership with external development partners. The firm described its intention to create a multifamily residential community designed and constructed to modern standards, with safety and durability as primary considerations.

"Our intention is to work alongside trusted development partners to create a high-quality residential community designed and constructed to modern standards, with safety, durability and the needs of future Residents at the forefront," the company stated. Planning is underway, though the firm said it is too early to provide a construction timeline.

The Langford site sits within the suburban Victoria rental market, where purpose-built rental supply has remained structurally constrained. The 90-unit Ridgeview Place tower never achieved stable long-term occupancy during Centurion's ownership period due to the recurring structural failures.

About Centurion Property Associates

Centurion Property Associates Inc. was founded in 2003 and manages a national portfolio of 161 properties comprising more than 24,000 rental units across Canada and the United States, including multi-residential apartments and off-campus student residences. Media inquiries regarding Ridgeview Place can be directed to communications@centurion.ca.