Hudson celebrates grand opening
While construction workers and cleaners laboured to complete the Hudson before residents move in next week, the builders of the multi-million dollar heritage restoration took time yesterday morning to celebrate the project’s grand opening.
Assorted media tour a two-level suite at the north-west corner of the Hudson. Finishing work was done by Ceccone Simone and Evoke International Design. Photo © VibrantVictoria.ca.
Bob Pearce, Townline’s Director of Residential Development explained to the assembled media contingent how the project unfolded from the initial purchase of the old Hudson’s Bay Company department store in 2005, the lengthy approval process at City Hall all the way to the impending residential move in date for the 152-unit building.
City of Victoria heritage planner Steve Barber said the Hudson will “spark a rejuvenation of the Downtown core” and hoped that the Hudson will spur further work that will strengthen Downtown’s position as the centre of the region.
Graham Fligg of Merrick Architecture and principal Hudson architect demonstrates the vintage bronze hardware on Hudson's refurbished windows. Mike Kozakowski of SkyscraperSource Media and Paul Merrick look on. Photo © VibrantVictoria.ca.
Architect Paul Merrick took time to explain what made Victoria unique: “[The city] grew before the automobile spread everything around”, and that the “tightly organized” urban grid, hemmed in by water on three sides and Saanich to the north meant downtown Victoria escaped much of the car-frendly sprawl that mars other cities.
Asked how the firm tackles the tricky topic of integrating modern construction within a heritage renovation, Merrick explained that the architect must listen to fabric of the building–what is is capable of and how far it can be pushed.
Hudson's roof includes private decks, a large residents' area including two permanent barbecues and extensive landscaping. Photo © VibrantVictoria.ca.
Initial construction on the original Bay building began in 1913 but wasn’t completed until 1921. An east expansion of the building was done in 1948. The old building’s sturdy foundation and massive support columns are evidence of the architects original intent to construct an eight-storey building. The Hudson’s common area displays many salvaged artifacts from the old department store, including neon lettering from the parkade and pressure gauges from the old boilers. The Hudson is now heated with geo-thermal technology.
Bob Pearce apologized for the absence of the much-talked about amethyst-coloured glass prisms due to be installed in the sidewalks surrounding the Hudson. Pearce says the Florida firm making the blocks was supposed to deliver them this summer but production was delayed. He hopes to have them installed in a few weeks.
Follow the Hudson’ progress on VibrantVictoria’s discussion forum by clicking here.
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Responses to this Headline or Article
The five most recent replies to VibrantVictoria.ca's discussion forum's [Downtown Victoria] The Hudson condo | HBC block redevelopment; Phase 1 | 6-storeys | Completed in 2010 thread, the most relevant thread to the above headline or article:
ZGsta
Feb 17, 2012 at 10:00 pmQuote: ^^That can only mean the Royal Bank is vacating their Douglas/Pandora branch, which really opens the door for development there as now the entire half-block is either vacant or contains crap temporary leaseholders. I just hope the bank doesn't waste half the frontage like HSBC does at The Falls. Banks are great tenants but a little goes a long way.
That that HSBC at the Falls is a disaster outside of working hours in my opinion. Such a waste of a streetfront.
Hope the same thing doesn't happen at the Hudson.
Phil McAvity
Feb 19, 2012 at 9:03 pm^Wow what a bizarre comment. How is the HSBC at the Falls different from any other bank? On top of that, for after hours, there's a nice new pub
Sparky
Feb 19, 2012 at 9:49 pmI have to agree Phil, once upon a time not only did the banks take up street front, they took up the whole street.
Most of our major downtown intersections had a bank on the corner. That's why they called them "the corner bank".
Now you can get a beer at the "Bard and Banker".....at...you guessed it...an old bank.
Banks and liquor stores are never .....repeat never...located...on the second floor.
ZGsta
Feb 20, 2012 at 11:08 amQuote: ^Wow what a bizarre comment. How is the HSBC at the Falls different from any other bank? On top of that, for after hours, there's a nice new pubin the building just in case the other 15 pubs and nightclubs within 200 feet aren't close enough.
Call it bizarre all you want, but when half a block is taken up by what amounts to a blank frontage for a large chunk of the hours in a heavily trafficked area it's not ideal, historical precedent or not.
I never said the bottom floor of the Falls was bad, the pub is a great addition, just that I don't like that the bank takes up so much frontage. Lots of people agree.
Coreyburger
Feb 20, 2012 at 1:11 pmInterestingly, Oak Bay has a bylaw in place that prevents banks from expanding their storefront in Oak Bay Village for exactly this reason: they are not great storefront tenants from a vitality point of a view, but they are great tenants from a landlord's point of view.
