As the redevelopment of the old Hudson’s Bay Company department store nears completion, the project proponent is readying to re-introduce a nearly forgotten element of Victoria’s urban heritage.

Back in 2007 Townline Properties of Vancouver wowed crowds of curious Victorians, who at the time were taking in the future plans for the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) property in downtown Victoria, with promises of glowing purple amethyst sidewalks once again gracing the perimeter of the property.

Although the idea to install the amethyst blocks along the entire perimeter was dropped, the unique throwback to Victoria’s heritage will soon appear in the sidewalks at the Douglas and Fisgard street commercial entrances and at the new residential entrance on the east side of the building.

The recently exposed facade of the historic Hudson's Bay Company department store will soon be joined by a "sidewalk" tradition from around the time the original building was constructed. Photo © by VibrantVictoria.ca.

“We are waiting for the panels to be completed in Florida,” said Bob Pearce, a representative of the project with Townline Properties.

“We may need to install some temporary infill panels in the interim, although the real panels will be installed as soon as they arrive,” Pearce added.

The American company hired to supply the amethyst is re-creating the blocks to appear nearly identical to the originals, some of which, albeit sans glow and in poor condition, can still be seen on downtown sidewalks.

Sales remain fairly strong at The Hudson, the first of several residential phases of the entire HBC property.  Approximately 60% of the building’s residential units have sold, and word is still out on a future commercial anchor tenant for the project.

To learn more about The Hudson project, view VibrantVictoria’s Construction Projects list entry here.  To discuss The Hudson and stay up to date on the latest news affecting the project, click here.

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