Reviewer:
gincog
Owned a unit in this building

Reviewed on Apr 5 2017


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"Full of Problems"

The description of this building is inaccurate: there is no concierge and there has not been one for years. The good: The location. Walking distance to downtown, and a very short drive to groceries and other amenities. There's little traffic, so it's generally quiet, other than the frequent construction going on in and around the building. Now, everything else: I lived here for approximately 4 years, and the hot tubs were functional for maybe 50% of that time. The water garden has been filled with water for no more than a third of the time I've lived here. The pool/hot tub deck seems to be an ongoing disaster, with constant closures due to leaks. Also, if you work a day job, prepare to not use the hot tub from around October to March. They are not available outside of daylight hours. The strata is overbearing. To the point where notices were posted regarding two yoga mats left in the (otherwise empty) closet of the exercise room. While it's nice to have an active strata in many ways, this is not one of them. It seems to take forever for anything to get completed around here. Installations of new railings took nearly a year. Pallets of glass were left on the lawn for so long that the grass turned to muck. Thank god the yoga mat issue was identified though. The strata posts regular notices about building security. Of course, this doesn't stop any able-bodied person from jumping over the short fence and strolling through the water garden.

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Comment on this Review: unregistered user on April 27 2017: Sounds like a tenant venting. unregistered user on June 28 2017: > Of course, this doesn't stop any able-bodied person from jumping over the short fence and strolling through the water garden. This just happened when a homeless person decided to jump in the hot tub at 4AM. unregistered user on August 21 2017: I used to manage rental properties there and the review is totally accurate especially regarding the strata police. It was a bad build from the start and the problems have not gotten any better unregistered user on June 3 2018: This is not the way it is today. It is a superb place to live unregistered user on February 11 2019: Scary place there are a couple of very sick people living in building 68. Write a comment about this review Enter image text:

Reviewer:
Unregistered User
Owned a unit in this building

Reviewed on Dec 23 2016


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"Shutters Rave review"

I have been an owner from the beginning, we had many deficiencies which have been handled in the most professional way by an extremely professional strata. We are very fortunate to be in the #1 location,with #1 amenities in the city. It is an incredibly friendly professional and social community atmosphere like nothing I have ever seen in a development. Shutter is steps to the downtown core yet extremely quiet! I am a middle aged professional with no intention of selling ever! Top overall in the city!

Unregistered User recommends this building for:
Retirees, Professionals

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	Comment on this Review: unregistered user on April 28 2018: Sounds like a member of the Strata defending this not-recommended property Write a comment about this review Enter image text:

Reviewer:
Unregistered User
Rented a unit in this building

Reviewed on Apr 29 2015


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"Shutters Building"

Hello, I rented at 68 Songhees for 2 years and then purchased in Jan.2015. There were some concerns that some building issues were not going to be covered under the warranty; however, everything has been settled and everything is being covered. Warranty repairs have commenced and will be completed in 2015. The building has an excellent and pro-active strata. The cleaners keep the building tidy and the building is extremely quiet as it should be, being concrete and steel. In my opinion it's one of the best buildings in all of Victoria.

Unregistered User recommends this building for:
Retirees, Professionals, Investors, First Time Buyers, Young Couples

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Comment on this Review: unregistered user on October 7 2015: Regardless of issues being covered, who wants to deal with the ongoing headaches and large list of issues. I attended many strata meetings with people arguing and yelling at each other due to the stress of a bad investment. unregistered user on November 25 2015: Any development with 200 units will have some conflict. This is a development encompassing nearly a billion dollars in property that is still under National Home Warranty, not a slow-pitch team. Write a comment about this review Enter image text:

Reviewer:
loving victoria
Owned a unit in this building

Reviewed on Mar 21 2015


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"Love Living at Shutters"

In the past this building had some issues that strata had problems getting covered under warranty but eventually were covered. This building is well ran by a pro active strata, spotless thanks to the excellent cleaners and is very quiet. It has an upper class of residents living there who take pride in being owners. The pool and steam etc are top notch.

loving victoria recommends this building for:
Retirees, Professionals, Investors, First Time Buyers, Young Couples

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Comment on this Review: unregistered user on April 13 2015: Write a comment about this review unregistered user on September 9 2017: I notice all the negative comments are from 2014,2015 and 2016. She I consider buying in this bldg in 2017 or 2018? Pls adv. Thx L unregistered user on April 28 2018: Buy there is you don't mind a possible assessment down the road due to ongoing water issues. The building is the worst in the city and is practically uninsureable due to all the water claims from day 1. Suites have to have electronic water sensors installed just to offset possible leaks. Bad build. Write a comment about this review Enter image text:

Reviewer:
Unregistered User
Owned a unit in this building

Reviewed on Mar 1 2015


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"Disappointing"

I moved into Shutters when it first opened. I had such high expectations for this building, but it had too many deficiencies to list. There were issues inside my condo and many in the building and ponds. The pool was barely open, the spa never lasted, the ponds leaked, the gates were rusty. The waterfall also didn't work. The builders did not take responsibility for the defects and did the bare minimum to fix what they could and moved on. My understanding is that there developments in Vancouver are much better, but they really dropped the ball on this property. I would never recommend anyone to buy from them. I ended up selling my condo at a loss. We could have kept it and rented in out, but I knew the building was doomed. Please do not buy here, or from this developer. The quality and craftsmanship leaves much to be desired.

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Comment on this Review: loving victoria on March 20 2015: All the deficiencies were covered under warranty the prices will go up now. unregistered user on May 3 2015: the exterior shows many areas of rust. unregistered user on July 6 2016: This review is totally out of date and misleading. There were a number of issues but most have ben remedied and paid for by insurance. The swimming pool is open as are the hot tubs, exercise room, sauna, steam room etc. All condos are now fitted with an excellent leak detection system. Written in July/2016 unregistered user on April 28 2018: Leak detection system mandated by the insurance company who will not underwrite without it. There are no other buildings in Victoria that have to have water sensors by mandate!! That says a lot. Write a comment about this review Enter image text:

Reviewer:
Unregistered User
Rented a unit in this building

Reviewed on Sep 5 2014


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"Flash without substance"

You are crazy if you consider buying in this development. Amazing concept but very poor construction. This building will look terrible in another few years. Since we moved in there's been ongoing problems with leaks in condos, leaks from the water features,, pool closed because of more leaks, leaks in the patio doors, paint chipping outside on decks...and the list goes on. The latest news from the strata is rats in the ponds. When the pool finally opened swimming in it was not pleasant because the water is cold. Cabinetry looks nice but very cheaply built as is the granite and hardwood - all flash, no substance.

Unregistered User recommends this building for:
Students

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	Comment on this Review: unregistered user on April 13 2015: Write a comment about this review Write a comment about this review Enter image text:

Reviewer:
Unregistered User
Rented a unit in this building

Reviewed on Jun 1 2013


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"Lots of style with little
substance"

There good: Location is great. Units are spacious and well laid out. The exterior entrances are cool. I am satisfied as a renter but you would be CRAZY to buy here. The Bad: Finishings are mediocre (lousy cabinetry, cheap granite), the white exterior is grungy and fences are rusted though these are being repainted. Pipes seem to burst regularly and since many units are vacation homes, nobody is around to notice, so leaks have caused massive damage. Right now, ALL of the "resort style amenities" are leaking or under repair. Turns out building a water garden on top of a car park wasn't so smart. The following email was circulated by strata council recently: "To All Residents: The landscaping and the pool deck continue to be sources of water ingress into the parkade. Work is being done on these areas to source the leaks and make necessary repairs....Water from the Steam Room was leaking into a mechanical room in the garage. It remains closed while repairs are in progress. The West Hot Tub is leaking and will remain closed while the situation is being investigated. Water is leaking into the Swimming Pool. The pool will remain closed while the leak is investigated and repaired. Due to water leaks into the parkade, the East Hot Tub will be closed. Part of the granite stone deck adjacent to the East Hot Tub will be removed in order to source and repair the leak in this area. At this time, we do not know the extent of the repairs necessary or how long the repairs will take..."

Unregistered User recommends this building for:
Professionals, Young Couples

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Comment on this Review: unregistered user on October 18 2014: Looking to buy a condo on inner harbor. Will definitely avoid shutters. Thanx unregistered user on April 13 2015: Outdoor leaks a year ago may have been fixed. Building judged by kitchen cupboards. Sounds exaggerated unregistered user on April 30 2015: Why would a pool have water leaking into it? Some people are just upset they bought when market was high and now prices are down. unregistered user on October 7 2015: This review is entirely accurate. This building will have continual issues and none of the promises were delivered on. Many owners are stuck because all realtors know that shutters is a disaster. Good work westbank. unregistered user on November 25 2015: A significant number of Victoria realtors actually own units in Shutters. Write a comment about this review Enter image text: