119 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

When the BC Liquor Store closed Tudor House opened a private store.

[sdwright.vic]

^Actually they were opened across the street from each other for a number of years.

[Mike K.]

Oh, yeah you're right!

[Nparker]

...The design for the replacement of Esquimalt's Tudor House Pub and liquor store at the nexus of Admirals and Esquimalt roads has been revealed...plans [are] to use extensive glass and angular design to create what is arguably the most unique, albeit unorthodox, liquor store retail environment on Vancouver Island...

I suppose what I am trying to say is that the best in contemporary architecture is part of a broader vision for a site. In the case of the plan for the new Esquimalt liquor store, while bold unto itself (for our region at least), it would be exponentially better if it was part of an exciting redevelopment of the entire space. I envision that expanse of asphalt looking much like that for decades now. There are certainly innumerable examples of the historic preservation of sacred black top in the region to support my hypothesis.

[Mike K.]

I'm sure the entire property won't be left in its current state forever.

[Nparker]

I'm sure the entire property won't be left in its current state forever.

I give you the parking lots below Wharf Street: they must be close to celebrating their centennial of underachievement.

[Mike K.]

Government vs. private though.

[Nparker]

Government vs. private though.

Agreed, but then again Robbins Parking still seems to control a lot of privately owned downtown land,

so I guess I will believe the redevelopment of the liquor store parking plaza when I see it.

[Mike K.]

Robbins has the parking rights all over downtown, for sure, but I don't think the Esquimalt lot is a metered lot.

I have faith that if the owners are will to push boundaries to build a liquor store they'll make the effort to do something great with the rest of the lot when they're ready.

[Nparker]

...I have faith that if the owners are willing to push boundaries to build a liquor store they'll make the effort to do something great with the rest of the lot when they're ready.

Oh ye of too much faith. 

[briggzee1]

Having worked at the liquor store I can tell you that when it was just the Tudor House and the Government store on the other corner it was one of the busiest private stores in BC. It was a really nice store, good selection etc...but once they started to pop everywhere in the area and the owner's were unwilling to drop the prices to be competitive business died off and people went elsewhere. Fancy store, wine tasting's and pairings are all good but people want good selection and good prices or it won't succeed.  To hear that a liquor store is in the works is a surprise to me. I thought it would be a condo development for sure.   

[Nparker]

... To hear that a liquor store is in the works is a surprise to me. I thought it would be a condo development for sure.   

It should have been both. Perhaps it still will be.

[Mike K.]

I have no doubt it will be. They got insurance money from the pub and had to put it to good use. Might as well design something spectacular in a neighbourhood that is undergoing a massive transformation.

[amor de cosmos]

Oh ye of too much faith. 

oh ye of too little faith

Construction of a new liquor store in Esquimalt could start this spring if the township approves a building permit for the former Tudor House Pub site.

Featuring a design of glass walls and wood framing, the building is among recent initiatives signalling a development revival in the township.

“We are very, very pleased,” Bill Lang, president of the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce, said Tuesday.

*snip*

“They haven’t closed any doors in terms of what they might do with the rest of the property,” Desjardins said. Other permitted uses on that side include a pub, hotel or residential units in a building of up to 12 storeys.

“This is really going to increase the activity on that corner and I think it will be transformational along with the village project to have those kinds of services,” Desjardins said.

“It’s going to create a new vibrancy on that corner.”

http://www.timescolo...-site-1.2224792

Edited by amor de cosmos, 06 April 2016 - 08:27 AM.

[Nparker]

“They haven’t closed any doors in terms of what they might do with the rest of the property,” Desjardins said. Other permitted uses on that side include a pub, hotel or residential units in a building of up to 12 storeys.

I'll believe any of this (especially the 12 storey residential building) when it actually gets built. Until then I remain sceptical.

[Linear Thinker]

The former Tudor House Pub site now has construction fencing all around it.

There are the typical "All visitors must report and wear safety equipment..." signs posted.

No other project info posted though.

All the various parked cars are gone too.

[Linear Thinker]

Excavator on site now at the old Tudor.

It was digging about a foot deep near the corner and the hedges that miraculously didn't burn in the fire are gone.

 

The company signs on the site trailer is Wales McLelland Construction.

A building design, construction company from Richmond.

 

Their site lists about 7-8 projects in Victoria;

Shoppers Drug Mart, Sooke.  Jordans Furniture, Douglas at Queens.  Esquimalt town hall/library.  Sysco Foods in Langford among others.

[Mike K.]

The Tudor House liquor store, which burned down back in 2013, has opened. It's quite the place and well worth a visit.

 

Staff say they are still working on fine-tuning their selection and will be making additions to their product line once the store becomes a little more established.

 

[VicHockeyFan]

Do you think they've gone a bit upscale - for Esquimalt?

There is a reason 7/Elevens mostly sell pop and chips.

I laugh a bit at the Rialto liquor store. They try to be upscale with nice window displays etc. But ask the workers there what sells, and I have. It's the cheap beer, the mickeys of Alberta vodka etc.

Edited by VicHockeyFan, 21 July 2017 - 08:49 AM.

[Mike K.]

We focus too much on the strip of apartments along the main thoroughfare and forget that there's a lot of wealth in Esquimalt, plus it's got the military (thousands of men and women with top-end salaries who love their drink).

I think Esquimalt is tired of mediocrity. The municipality wants to finally break free of the stigma the media has forced upon it. And every city needs its "bad area," so folks from all over the region continue to visualize Esquimalt as a shady place.