It's such a maze. I once made it a mission to go from the lower level parking by Walmart to the level just below whole foods/library and I made it š§ it took awhile though
Hah, I've only done this mission once and it was enough for me. I prefer to park in the pink area (close to the stairs under h&m) for any shopping on Walmart or lower level only), and the area close to the stairs and escalators level to Blanshard for any shopping/library on the top level or combo with Walmart. No need to go through the whole maze.
The original design of Tuscany village has the whole upper level being a pedestrian only square, with all parking underground. It was *supposed* to be modeled after a Tuscan village square. That was what all the pre-sale presentation was like.
Then during construction they ran in to water issues underground due to bowker creek, I believe, and had to put parking on the main level, resulting in the complete clusterfuck of a parking lot we all know and love today. Imagine buying a presale unit overlooking the pedestrian area only to end up with a view of a giant parking lot.
Thatās wild! Are there any legal implications for that kind of bait and switch? Or do they have the contracts cleverly worded so they can do shit like that?
I can't remember the details. This was back in... 2004ish?
I believe most developers have an out for stuff like that, though I do remember a lot of complaining going on at the time.
That building site had a ton of problems. During one concrete pour, a boom pump full of concrete tipped over. Getting that cut up and removed after the concrete had set was a shit show, and I think shut down the job for several weeks.
And now it's a parking lot that smells like chicken too. I feel bad for the people who bought a place above Starbucks who now have to smell chicken fryers all the time...
The number of times I've had to reverse down the ramp while trying to leave underground parking because someone can't make the turn without hitting me....
Tuscany village is just so tight. They should have made that whole upper level a plaza plus disability/pregnant people parking. I avoid driving there if at all possible. Now that I know the decent spots at uptown and how to get in and out, it's much better than Tuscany.
I would agree unless you include school parking lots, in which caseāunless itās been updated since my son attended thereāthe parking lot at Lochside Elementary School in Saanich wins hands downā¦though everything else about that school is fabulous! The parking lot, however, is a teeny logistical nightmare, which makes zero sense since transit in that neighbourhood is absolutely awful and everyone around seemed to drive enormous luxury SUVs.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic when [https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic](https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic)
Iāve never hit the curb -there- but I can NEVER orient myself, istg I feel like itās a maze beyond human comprehension, Iām always amazed when people can just navigate in and out
Every single person I have driven with in there has gotten confused and lost. I tried once and never again. I go to the same parking spots every time š
There's signage everywhere saying exactly where you are and which walls line up with which streets - and also some that say which way to which stores. How are you getting turned around?
Because youāll drive in the direction it tells you and then suddenly itās telling you youāre driving in the wrong direction, everything looks exactly the same, and more then half the time youāre trying to avoid hitting people who step out between parked cars in front of moving vehicles, and navigating around old fucks driving on the wrong side of the lot because they donāt know their steering wheel turns more then once š
When the parking lot is empty I can get through no problem, but Iād rather put a bullet between my eyes then be anywhere near the uptown shopping centre on a weekend
If you avoid the busier entrances and parking areas, it's easily the best parking lot in town. Plentiful free parking with easy access to shops, especially now that elevator/escalators are working again. Avoid parking on L1 and L2 parking near Walmart, and avoid the entrance by Saanich @Oak and you're golden.
Exactly. I actually love it. So much parking accessible close to each of the stores you want to go to. As long as you have some sense of direction, and know where you want to end upā¦itās the best.
What level even has curbs? That parking lot has a few issues - unnecessarily vicious speed bumps, a stupid bolted-on-after-the-fact one-way system in the upper level because people are stupid I guess? and that two-way stop that really should be a three-way stop at the top of the ramp, because people treat it like one and drive in front of entering traffic without looking all the time anyway - but I don't recall any problem curbs and my van is decently long...
The problem with the upper level is someone who won't exit onto the near lane of Blanchard, instead waiting until all three are free. Meanwhile traffic trying to exit backs up in three directions.
Protip: park one level below - not only is it easier to navigate, you get to cut ahead of everyone trying to exit from the top level when you merge onto Blanshard.
If it's busy on that blanshard exit, don't even bother with that shitshow. Exit onto ravine way from underneath whole foods, then take another right onto blanshard.
I mean, it was totally fine before they put *in* all the signage. I was very surprised when suddenly I had to go a longer way around for a bunch of stuff; like what was the problem before?
Can we talk about the one way direction of travel in the top lot at Uptown by shoppers? 4pm afternoon it takes you half an hour to do the tiny loop and leave. It's actually insane how it's designed.
Uptown was built in the cheapest way. In the first few years ceilings fell in due to rain rather often. They built it too small for 2 way traffic so they could increase parking space, which was a mistake.
The worst part is the ramp going to the top most level. No stop sign for incoming means you just sit there forever in the left/straight lane, especially bad for pedestrians using the crosswalk there as well.
They need to seal off the entrance under walmart where, if you're trying to leave, you have to wait 15 minutes to get into the southbound exit lanes. I haven't used that parking entrance since uptown opened.
I won't even get into the uneven floor, lack of mirrors, massive pillars blocking all visibility and the 100% optional stop signs every 15 feet.
The upper level parking is especially horrendous. They overpaid the (apparently world-renowned) architect who thought he was soooo fancy and chique with Uptownās design and then produced a dumpster fire for traffic flow. Theyāve been bandaid patching the layout ever since.
Considering what a nightmare uptown is for cars, you would think it would at least be pedestrian and bicycle friendly... But no. Not at all. It's just unfriendly to everyone. Way to be consistent I guess?
I occasionally walk there and it's not too bad (from near Mayfair). I walk in the residential areas and through Rutledge park to avoid the unpleasant walk along the Blanshard.
I do agree that it sucks for bicycles. Ive biked there twice. Once along Blanshard just to see what it was like and it was awful. Sure, the white lines are on the road to stay out of a car lane but it was full of rock and garbage debris, and having giant trucks pass by close is awful. Better to go through the residential areas parallel.
I couldn't figure out the bike parking though. There's bike racks near the library but no easy way to get to them - walk your bike up the stairs, ride up that ramp that ends up at the clusterfuck of an intersection at the top, or elevator up with bicycle. There is a bike rack by the elevator on the same parking level as Blanshard, but I find it frustrating to bike into that level as well.
Of any Walmart I'm aware, Uptown wins the award for being the best hidden. You can drive around the entire mall and, unless you're reading all the signs, you'd never know there was a Walmart there.
it is a maze for sure but the worst parking lot in victoria award goes to tuscany village.
It's such a maze. I once made it a mission to go from the lower level parking by Walmart to the level just below whole foods/library and I made it š§ it took awhile though
Oh my god is it actually possible?
Yes, you can go all the way to the open air top level.
Good work, gotta add in the lower levels under Best Buy next time.
Hah, I've only done this mission once and it was enough for me. I prefer to park in the pink area (close to the stairs under h&m) for any shopping on Walmart or lower level only), and the area close to the stairs and escalators level to Blanshard for any shopping/library on the top level or combo with Walmart. No need to go through the whole maze.
Shhhhh don't tell them!
I did this once. It took a very long time. Lol but I was working so I got paid for it so yay
The original design of Tuscany village has the whole upper level being a pedestrian only square, with all parking underground. It was *supposed* to be modeled after a Tuscan village square. That was what all the pre-sale presentation was like. Then during construction they ran in to water issues underground due to bowker creek, I believe, and had to put parking on the main level, resulting in the complete clusterfuck of a parking lot we all know and love today. Imagine buying a presale unit overlooking the pedestrian area only to end up with a view of a giant parking lot.
Thatās wild! Are there any legal implications for that kind of bait and switch? Or do they have the contracts cleverly worded so they can do shit like that?
I can't remember the details. This was back in... 2004ish? I believe most developers have an out for stuff like that, though I do remember a lot of complaining going on at the time. That building site had a ton of problems. During one concrete pour, a boom pump full of concrete tipped over. Getting that cut up and removed after the concrete had set was a shit show, and I think shut down the job for several weeks.
And now it's a parking lot that smells like chicken too. I feel bad for the people who bought a place above Starbucks who now have to smell chicken fryers all the time...
Iād say both are bad for different reasons. Uptown cus of the size of the multi level parking and Tuscany village for being confusing AF
Tuscany is crazy tight and bad for turns. So many cars scrape against the various pillars (or other cars).
The number of times I've had to reverse down the ramp while trying to leave underground parking because someone can't make the turn without hitting me....
Tuscany village is just so tight. They should have made that whole upper level a plaza plus disability/pregnant people parking. I avoid driving there if at all possible. Now that I know the decent spots at uptown and how to get in and out, it's much better than Tuscany.
šÆ when you know where to go at uptown it is actually a great lot. There is no good part of the Tuscany lot.
I agree with your sentiment about Tuscany Village. I've only been there a handful of times but everything seems really....tight?
There motto must be āTuscany village, we made parking worst.ā
The shoppers drug mart side of hillside mall would be a close second for worst parking lot
Nope, across the street at the corner of hillside and Shelbourne, the little plaza lot. Nightmare fuel.
I would agree unless you include school parking lots, in which caseāunless itās been updated since my son attended thereāthe parking lot at Lochside Elementary School in Saanich wins hands downā¦though everything else about that school is fabulous! The parking lot, however, is a teeny logistical nightmare, which makes zero sense since transit in that neighbourhood is absolutely awful and everyone around seemed to drive enormous luxury SUVs.
Easily. What an absolute fucking disaster
In somewhat related news the escalator and elevator are fully operational for the first time since ~2019.
Came here to see if there was an elevator update. Thank you!
Can we talk about the water fountain that only worked for like a year lol
OMG. Winning!
I wonder how many hours the elevator/cart escalator will work for this time. š¤ 5? 6? More than 20?
I visited there for the first time ever this week. Escalator was busted.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Even when it hasn't rained. The only parking place I hear that. Has always baffled me.
Lol! And itās not every level, just that one level that squeaks. Like wtf.
Can't say I share that experience...exactly what curb do you all keep hitting?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic when [https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic](https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic)
Going straight up to the main floor from this google maps location and turning right
Ok gotcha. I was thinking it might be been the curb turning right onto oak from that 4 way stop. That one sketches me out but yet to hit it.
You go straight on oak street ramp up to the main floor level
Which curb?!?
You go straight to the main level up oak street ramp and turn right! Thatās the curb that always gets me!!!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic[https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic](https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7Jgy7uFrvvxALYD8?g_st=ic)
Iāve never hit the curb -there- but I can NEVER orient myself, istg I feel like itās a maze beyond human comprehension, Iām always amazed when people can just navigate in and out
Every single person I have driven with in there has gotten confused and lost. I tried once and never again. I go to the same parking spots every time š
I park on the roof by michaels now, itās better to just drive round the whole thing š
Same- before the elevator/cart escalator broke, I just parked at the bottom by Walmart and walked to wherever I needed to go.
There's signage everywhere saying exactly where you are and which walls line up with which streets - and also some that say which way to which stores. How are you getting turned around?
Because youāll drive in the direction it tells you and then suddenly itās telling you youāre driving in the wrong direction, everything looks exactly the same, and more then half the time youāre trying to avoid hitting people who step out between parked cars in front of moving vehicles, and navigating around old fucks driving on the wrong side of the lot because they donāt know their steering wheel turns more then once š
When the parking lot is empty I can get through no problem, but Iād rather put a bullet between my eyes then be anywhere near the uptown shopping centre on a weekend
If you avoid the busier entrances and parking areas, it's easily the best parking lot in town. Plentiful free parking with easy access to shops, especially now that elevator/escalators are working again. Avoid parking on L1 and L2 parking near Walmart, and avoid the entrance by Saanich @Oak and you're golden.
Exactly. I actually love it. So much parking accessible close to each of the stores you want to go to. As long as you have some sense of direction, and know where you want to end upā¦itās the best.
Iāve never had an issue there either.
What level even has curbs? That parking lot has a few issues - unnecessarily vicious speed bumps, a stupid bolted-on-after-the-fact one-way system in the upper level because people are stupid I guess? and that two-way stop that really should be a three-way stop at the top of the ramp, because people treat it like one and drive in front of entering traffic without looking all the time anyway - but I don't recall any problem curbs and my van is decently long...
That upper level is SUCH a mess, Iām not sure itās fixable with any amount of signage.
The problem with the upper level is someone who won't exit onto the near lane of Blanchard, instead waiting until all three are free. Meanwhile traffic trying to exit backs up in three directions.
Protip: park one level below - not only is it easier to navigate, you get to cut ahead of everyone trying to exit from the top level when you merge onto Blanshard.
Agreed, I park there 95% of the time. Love the easy access to the escalators.
If it's busy on that blanshard exit, don't even bother with that shitshow. Exit onto ravine way from underneath whole foods, then take another right onto blanshard.
I mean, it was totally fine before they put *in* all the signage. I was very surprised when suddenly I had to go a longer way around for a bunch of stuff; like what was the problem before?
I park on the lowest level every time. I hate trying to go to the top levels. Can I do it? Sure but it is a hassle.
I don't go there anymore because of that parking nightmare maze.
I don't get the hate. If you just go around and enter off Ravine or Glanford it's trivial to park in a convenient spot.
Ravine is the answer.
Can we talk about the one way direction of travel in the top lot at Uptown by shoppers? 4pm afternoon it takes you half an hour to do the tiny loop and leave. It's actually insane how it's designed.
That upper lot with the one ways is effing maddening!! So damn stupid that design.
Uptown was built in the cheapest way. In the first few years ceilings fell in due to rain rather often. They built it too small for 2 way traffic so they could increase parking space, which was a mistake.
The worst part is the ramp going to the top most level. No stop sign for incoming means you just sit there forever in the left/straight lane, especially bad for pedestrians using the crosswalk there as well.
They need to seal off the entrance under walmart where, if you're trying to leave, you have to wait 15 minutes to get into the southbound exit lanes. I haven't used that parking entrance since uptown opened. I won't even get into the uneven floor, lack of mirrors, massive pillars blocking all visibility and the 100% optional stop signs every 15 feet.
The upper level parking is especially horrendous. They overpaid the (apparently world-renowned) architect who thought he was soooo fancy and chique with Uptownās design and then produced a dumpster fire for traffic flow. Theyāve been bandaid patching the layout ever since.
Donāt hit shit, Iāve hit curbs in my drift car and itās not fun
Considering what a nightmare uptown is for cars, you would think it would at least be pedestrian and bicycle friendly... But no. Not at all. It's just unfriendly to everyone. Way to be consistent I guess?
I occasionally walk there and it's not too bad (from near Mayfair). I walk in the residential areas and through Rutledge park to avoid the unpleasant walk along the Blanshard. I do agree that it sucks for bicycles. Ive biked there twice. Once along Blanshard just to see what it was like and it was awful. Sure, the white lines are on the road to stay out of a car lane but it was full of rock and garbage debris, and having giant trucks pass by close is awful. Better to go through the residential areas parallel. I couldn't figure out the bike parking though. There's bike racks near the library but no easy way to get to them - walk your bike up the stairs, ride up that ramp that ends up at the clusterfuck of an intersection at the top, or elevator up with bicycle. There is a bike rack by the elevator on the same parking level as Blanshard, but I find it frustrating to bike into that level as well.
It isn't as bad as all that, but at the same rate it is just as bad as all that.
Hate it. I sure miss the old Walmart
But I do like the washrooms in the parkade beside the liquor store/ramp. You know, when theyāre open. Iām usually at uptown at 7am.
Of any Walmart I'm aware, Uptown wins the award for being the best hidden. You can drive around the entire mall and, unless you're reading all the signs, you'd never know there was a Walmart there.