Ridgeview Place, also known as Danbrook One, has been empty for more than three years because of serious structural concerns about the building’s foundations.
The owner of a twice-evacuated residential rental building in Langford says it will tear down the 11-storey concrete tower and build a replacement on the site.
Ridgeview Place, also known as Danbrook One, on Claude Road in Langford’s downtown core has been empty since a second evacuation in April 2023 due to serious structural concerns about the building’s foundations.
Centurion Property Associates Inc., which bought the building in August 2019, said that after an extensive review, it decided to demolish and plan for a new residential building.
The company did not immediately provide a demolition timeline, but said it would provide details as it finalizes plans.
“This marks an important next step for the property following several years of engineering assessments, remediation efforts and consultation,” the company said in a statement.
“Throughout this process, the safety and well-being of our residents has remained our highest priority and has guided our decisions regarding the property.”
Centurion launched a lawsuit in 2020 against the seller, builder, structural engineer, engineering firm and the City of Langford for what it claimed was negligence that caused dangerous defects in the building.
The company amended its lawsuit in 2025 to include engineers involved in the work to make the building safe after the original occupancy permit was pulled.
The city said it would not comment on the legal case, since it is before the courts.
Residents were forced out of their apartments in the 96-unit building in April 2023, after the city rescinded the occupancy permit for the second time over structural concerns.
The first time the city pulled the permit, just before Christmas in 2019, residents were told the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. had opened an investigation into structural flaws after an engineer who was not involved in the project raised concerns.
Toronto-based Centurion, which has a national portfolio of 161 properties and 24,000 rental units, said it did not develop, design or construct the original building. The company said that when it bought the property, it relied on the building permits, approvals and occupancy permit issued at the time.
Subsequent engineering assessments, however, identified “serious structural issues” stemming from the building’s original design and construction, the company said.
Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson said Centurion informed the city of its intentions this week.
“This is deeply disappointing news for our community,” Goodmanson said in a statement Thursday. “The loss of 96 rental housing units in the heart of downtown Langford is not the outcome any of us had hoped for, particularly at a time when housing availability remains a significant challenge for many residents.”
Goodmanson said the announcement will create uncertainty and concern for those who work, attend post-secondary institutions and operate businesses in the area during the demolition process.
The building overlooks the Goldstream Avenue site of the Royal Roads University Langford/John Horgan Campus, which opened last year and offers Royal Roads, University of Victoria and Camosun College programs.
“The community will understandably have questions about what this means for them and what comes next,” Goodmanson said, adding that Danbrook Park and businesses in the area are not expected to be affected.
Centurion said it is developing a plan to rebuild on the site and create a new residential community.
“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 statement said.
“Planning is underway, and we look forward to sharing more information about the future of the site as plans progress.”