Building modern military housing:

CFB Esquimalt Canadian Forces Housing Development

Providing safe, modern and resilient housing is essential to supporting the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces. At CFB Esquimalt, in Victoria, Pomerleau is partnering with Defence Construction Canada to deliver one of the largest military housing developments currently underway in British Columbia, helping meet the growing demand for high-quality residential accommodations for service members and their families.

The project combines collaborative planning, innovative construction methods and sustainable design to create long-lasting homes built to serve military families for generations.

Delivering much-needed housing at CFB Esquimalt

Originally planned as a 120-unit development, the project evolved significantly during design. Through close collaboration with Defence Construction Canada, Pomerleau successfully optimized the design, increasing the scope to 244 housing units distributed across eight residential buildings on four separate sites.

The development will provide predominantly one- and two-bedroom apartments, approximately 196,396 sq. ft. of residential space, three underground parkades and supporting site infrastructure. Once complete, the project will deliver comfortable, energy-efficient homes  for Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families while strengthening the long-term housing capacity of CFB Esquimalt.

Overcoming complex construction challenges

Like many projects, the CFB Esquimalt Canadian Forces Housing Project requires careful planning, technical expertise and continuous coordination between multiple stakeholders.

One of the project's greatest challenges was accommodating a substantial increase in housing density while maintaining budget, functionality and design quality. Pomerleau's team developed innovative design solutions that maximized the number of units without compromising the project's objectives.

Our team intentionally adopted a consistent building design across all eight buildings to establish a unified neighbourhood aesthetic, ensure a comparable living experience for residents, and optimize design efficiency and construction execution. This approach is carefully balanced with site-specific responses to varying geotechnical and seismic conditions across the four sites. Construction activities must also be carefully coordinated alongside several neighbouring Defence Construction Canada projects and major utility upgrades, including significant BC Hydro infrastructure improvements. The accelerated delivery schedule further highlights the importance of proactive planning and collaborative execution.

Building resilient, sustainable military housing

Designed to perform well beyond today's energy standards, the residential buildings will deliver exceptional energy efficiency while providing durable, resilient housing for military families.

The project incorporates high-performance building envelopes, advanced mechanical systems, smart utility metering, leak detection technology with automatic shut-off capabilities and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Depending on the building, performance targets meet National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) Tier 2 and Tier 3 requirements, while airtightness targets exceed current Passive House benchmarks.

To accelerate delivery and improve quality, the sites will use panelized timber wall systems manufactured off-site before being assembled on location. Combined with advanced 3D modelling and coordination through Revit, these methods improve constructability, reduce conflicts between disciplines and enhance overall project efficiency.

Respecting the environment throughout construction

Environmental stewardship has been integrated into every stage of project planning. Extensive geotechnical investigations were completed to address the site's complex seismic conditions and varying soil characteristics. Design adjustments were also made to protect environmentally sensitive areas, including habitats containing endangered vegetation.

Additional environmental measures include nesting bird surveys before vegetation clearing, carefully scheduled tree removals, root monitoring during rock blasting activities, and comprehensive erosion and sediment control practices throughout construction. Where practical, excavated materials are being reused on-site to reduce waste, minimize hauling and lower the project's environmental footprint.

A collaborative approach to defence infrastructure

Strong partnerships are fundamental to successful defence construction projects. Throughout design and construction, Pomerleau is working closely with Defence Construction Canada, consultants, utility providers and neighbouring project teams to coordinate activities, manage risks and maintain project momentum.

This collaborative approach enables transparent communication, efficient decision-making and safe execution while supporting the client's objective of delivering high-quality military housing on schedule.

Expertise supporting Canada's defence sector

The CFB Esquimalt Canadian Forces Housing Project draws on Pomerleau's extensive expertise in federal infrastructure, residential and multi-family construction, and design-build project delivery. Our integrated team brings together specialists in seismic and structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, sustainable building design, mechanical and electrical systems, and modular construction methods. 

Combined with strong capabilities in utility coordination, stakeholder management, cost planning, scheduling and phased delivery, this multidisciplinary approach enables us to deliver complex military infrastructure projects that meet the highest standards for quality, performance and long-term resilience.

Supporting those who serve Canada

A Proven Builder of Defence Infrastructure

The CFB Esquimalt Canadian Forces Housing Project reflects Pomerleau's commitment to delivering resilient, high-performance infrastructure through collaborative project delivery, technical expertise, and innovative construction methods. The project demonstrates our ability to deliver complex defence construction projects in highly regulated, operational environments where safety, coordination, and reliability are paramount.

By working closely with project stakeholders throughout the design and construction process, Pomerleau is helping deliver modern, sustainable housing that will serve the needs of CFB Esquimalt for years to come. The project also highlights our ability to navigate challenging site conditions, accelerated schedules, and complex stakeholder coordination while maintaining a focus on quality and long-term performance.

Pomerleau is proud to contribute to infrastructure that supports Canada's defence sector and reflects the evolving needs of federal clients. We look forward to continuing to support defence infrastructure projects through innovative, collaborative solutions that help address today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's needs.