A model showing The Hudson Mews tower along Fisgard Street. The model features some details of the green roof element on the podium. Photo © Victoria Downtown Residents Association.

The redevelopment of the historic Hudson’s Bay department store property, between Douglas, Blanshard, Fisgard and Herald streets in downtown Victoria, will feature approximately 90 rental units in an upcoming phase dubbed The Hudson Mews, VibrantVictoria.ca has learned.  The 12-storey, 120-unit development to be built by Vancouver-based Townline Group of Companies will also include 30 market units (condominiums) and ground floor retail space.  A green roof element is planned on the roof of the lower floors jutting out from the western side of the tower.

In a market that has year-round rental vacancy rates at or below 1%, an influx of 90 units into an area that typically absorbs new condominium housing is already spurring excitement.  Robert Randall, Chair of the Victoria Downtown Residents’ Association, said that he welcomes the development as it adds a different and much needed housing type to the downtown core.  Referring to new rental housing availability, Randall added that “this proposal is downtown’s first significant purpose-built, new construction, rental building since I became a resident  of downtown some 10 years ago.”

While great news for the city as a whole, Townline’s rental housing aspirations do not end in downtown Victoria.  Just across the harbour in Vic West, a stalled project dubbed The Wing has sat empty and uncompleted for several years until Townline acquired the development with plans to transform it into a subsidized rental building.  Construction on The Wing has picked up since Townline became involved, although there are few details as to the progress and the release of the units onto the market.

Townline’s other major construction site in Victoria is The Hudson, a massive transformation of the historic Hudson’s Bay Department Store at Douglas Street between Fisgard and Herald streets.  The transformation from a retail store to a residential building has faced financial difficulties stemming from the economic downturn, although progress is once again being made after a multi-month hiatus.  The Hudson is the first phase of Townline’s multi-phased project on the old Hudson’s Bay property with future phases planned to include the City’s tallest tower, currently approved for 24-storeys and some 72-meters in height, and a slightly shorter tower along Blanshard Street, both of which will be preceded by The Hudson Mews.

The public hearing for The Hudson Mews is scheduled for December 10th at 7:30PM at Victoria City Hall.

To stay up to date on the latest news concerning the transformation of the old Hudson’s Bay department store, refer to the Hudson discussion thread.  For the latest news on future phases of the Hudson development, including The Hudson Mews, refer to this thread.  For a Construction Project List entry on The Hudson Mews, click here.

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