The early development of Comox centered around the Comox Wharf. Over the next 100 years the population in the area grew slowly. The opening of the airfield in the 1950s, along with a military modernization program, began to have a significant impact on the surrounding area. By the time that Comox was incorporated as a town in 1967 the area had grown to about 2500 people.
While some of the downtown core contains homes built before 1950, much of the downtown core residential area of Comox comprises split level homes built in the 1960s. These homes could be found south of Comox Avenue, and in the area roughly bounded by Comox Avenue, Pritchard Avenue, Noel Avenue, and Back Road. Back then there were no distinct neighbourhoods that we enjoy today.
In the 1970s the provincial government declared most of the valley to be Agricultural Land Reserve and this slowed development of the town to a crawl. The local economy suffered during the recession of the 1980s. The relocation of 409 Squadron away from CFB Comox in 1982 added to the downturn. At that time the number of homes sold annually dropped from about 420 to 150.
Following is a sampling of some of the larger subdivisions built in Comox after the 1982 downturn: Foxxwood Heights, Highridge, Leawood Heights, Lancaster Heights, Beckton Estates, Parkwood Estates, and Murrelet Place
Foxxwood Heights
Foxxwood Heights was the first real urban subdivision built in Comox predominantly during the late 1980s and 1990s. Lots were selling along Highwood Drive in 1991 for $32,000 to #35,000. Some construction continued after the turn of the century and a few new homes have recently been built replacing some of the original ones. Highwood Drive is the main entrance to the subdivision and it is accessed from Guthrie Road near Pritchard. This main street terminates at Cambridge Road which connects to Pritchard at the north end. Other streets in the neighbouhood include Ascot Avenue, Beaconsfield Crescent, Kelsey Court, Chester Place, Deal Street, Eastwicke Crescent, Foxxwood Drive, and Islington Crescent. All together there were about 250 homes in this subdvision. Some of the more expensive homes were built along Kingsley Crescent, the north end of which backs onto Foxxwood Park and the rest of the street backs onto the dairy farm that has been in the area since 1836. Islington Court also has an area of fine homes.
Highridge
Another smaller subdivision of about 50 homes was built around Highridge Drive and the two cul-de-sacs Highridge Court and Eastridge Court very near the high school. Lot sizes varied from 1/4 to 1/3 of an acre and they went on sale in the early 1990s. Many of the homes were built starting in 1993 through the late 2000s. Here you will find a mix of rancher style and two storey homes. Many custom homes were built and some have over 4000 square feet of living space. You will also find some less than common construction in this area such as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) homes as well as some less common styles such as Cape Cod style homes.
Leawood Heights
Leawood Heights is a subdivision in the northeastern part of Comox that was built starting in the early 1990s in the Torrence and Ridgemont area. Construction expanded to other streets that included Moralee Drive, Mountainview Crescent, Clear View Place, Ocean View Avenue, Coast View Drive and Zephyr Place running through the late 2010s. This area of fine homes offers views of the ocean and mountains from a number of vantage points. Styles include ranchers, two storey and some three storey homes (including a basement)
Lancaster Heights
Lancaster Heights is a family friendly neighbourhood in Comox, BC. This subdivision is accessed via McDonald Road, Bolt and Noel Avenues and Murrelet Drive.Lancaster Heights is a subdivision of more than 230 family homes built in the late 2010s and beyond. There are many rancher style, rancher style with bonus rooms and a few two storey homes in this area. There is a noticeable water tower past Spitfire Drive. The street names are unique and each are named after a type of airplane. They include Avro Arrow Drive, Tiger Moth Place, Lancaster Way, Expeditor Place, Canuck Place, Spitfire Drive, Tutor Drive and Silver Star Place. Higher end finishing both outside and inside many of the homes is typical of the area. The newest homes are generally found on Tutor Drive and the newest road connecting to it.
Beckton Estates
Beckton Estates is one of two of the newest neighbourhoods in Comox. It is located in the Eastern part of Comox near the Comox Peninsula area and it is accessed via Lazo Road and Noel Avenue. Beckton Estates is a family oriented subdivision of homes built in the mid 2000s and later. Streets include Forester Avenue, Potter Place, Gardener Way, Slater Place, Mason Avenue, Painter Place, and Coach Place. Here you will find main level entry homes with a basement, 2 storey main level entry and rancher style homes. Some homes are located along a bit of green space next to Lazo Road while others back on greenspace next to Butchers Road which parallels Forester Avenue but is located just outside the subdivision to the West. The are is fairly open and is exposed to the sun for most of the day. At the same time the area is protected from the wind and winter storms that can run up the Georgia Strait from the South and SouthEast. An added bonus is that it is a very short drive to the southern end of the Comox Peninsula and the spectacular views of the Georgia Strait and Coastal Mountains.
Parkwood Estates
Parkwood Estates, Brookfield Estates and Pheasants Landing are a neighbourhood of adult oriented patio and townhomes in Comox just off the end of Guthrie Road about a half mile before Guthrie joins Lazo Road in the Comox Peninsula. Parkwood Estates is a 46 unit patio and townhome development located at 1220 Guthrie Road. Brookside Estates is a 33 unit patio and townhouse development located at 1270 Guthrie Road. Pheasants Landing is a 12 unit patio home development located at 1285 Guthrie Road. These homes are next to a wooded area and they have a number of ponds and walking trails in amongst them.
Murrelet Place
Murrelet Place is an area of fine patio homes that are a bit larger than most and they are very central to the shopping area with Quality Foods right next door. From this area you can walk to Lancaster Park and it is within walking distance of the Tim Hortons, McDonalds and Shoppers Drug Mart just down the road at the corner of Anderton Road and Guthrie Road.
This area of nice patio homes is also a short drive from downtown Comox. A bit less than The Woodlands and a bit more than the patio homes in the Aberdeen Heights area. Many are well laid out and open concept homes with double car garages. Most were built in the 2007 to 2009 time frame and they typically range in size from about 1350 to just under 1700 square feet. Overall, they offer nice interior finishing and a few have that added extra touch of elegance and upgrades to wow you. The area is well cared for and it shows when you drive in.
