545 replies to this topic

[Jackerbie]

Maybe I'm reading too much into that CoV concept for a mid-block walkway on the 1300-block between Government and Broad. There are many old news stories that make reference to residents of 1319 Government, so it seems like the kind of place that the CoV would have wanted to erase. But maybe it never actually happened? Maybe the old building was just completely gutted, as Jackerbie says?

 

Found the Building Permit records, all the old cards are scanned online. It was gutted in 1978 and renovated again in 1982. By 1995 the building was vacant, and it was demolished April 12, 1995. A new building was constructed a few months later in 1995. The new building was purpose built for the Gap by Farmer Construction.

[aastra]

So they did some major reno work in 1974, then again in 1978, then again in the 1980s, then tore the building down in the 1990s, then built another building?

 

This is normally where some cantankerous old SOB would make an observation about Victoria's modern mythology:

For a place where nothing ever happened and nothing ever changed, it's amazing how much happened and how much changed. Even if you were alive to witness it, you can't remember it all.

 

Victorians have always seemed to get itchy feet about major renovations or even outright demolition after just a few years. That building is ~40 years old! Why is it still there?

 

Edit: here's the pic from "Unbuilt Victoria" re: a mid-block walkway.

 

Edited by aastra, 01 October 2020 - 08:33 AM.

[Jackerbie]

^ Here's an excerpt from the 1977 planimetric map, which shows a large open alley where Arc'terxy is now (I think?)

 

[aastra]

Ah, there you go. Does anyone here actually remember it? I do not.

 

So what happened to the old building that was formerly on that site, and when did it happen?

[aastra]

Victoria has done a spendiferous job of preserving its old buildings, as long as you're willing to overlook the seemingly endless list of old buildings that didn't get preserved.

[Jackerbie]

Ah, there you go. Does anyone here actually remember it? I do not.

 

So what happened to the old building that was formerly on that site, and when did it happen?

 

It was the Rio/Savoy Theatre, demolished in 1958 and replaced with... a telephone booth.

[spanky123]

Doesn't really matter, the time to sell office buildings was a year ago. Unless the building has development potential or a long term Government lease there aren't going to be many buyers out there.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

A unique opportunity to acquire this historically significant office building on Victoria's downtown fringe with ample on-site parking. The location benefits from excellent exposure on the corner of Douglas and Bay Streets with 40,000 vehicles per day. The property is improved with a two-storey building over a partial basement that was constructed in 1910 for the Canadian Bank of Commerce. This is a well-maintained building with heritage features that would be an excellent opportunity as an investment or for owner occupancy. 

 

https://www.realtor....ctoria-downtown

[Victoria Watcher]

THIS PRICE IS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF TWO BUILDINGS, 811 PRINCESS AND 2155 DOWLER PLACE. This is a rare opportunity to obtain land and both buildings, which have great proximity to downtown. This is a future redevelopment opportunity with holding income, as both buildings are fully leased. 2155 Dowler Place could be purchased separately.

 

https://www.realtor....ctoria-downtown

 

[Rob Randall]

I was curious about Dowler Place. It's a weird out-of-the-way street that's not mentioned in the paper before 1969 yet it has old houses on it. It turns out Dowler used to be Blanshard. If you look at a map, current Blanshard aligns with Dowler just in front of the arena. 

 

 

 

[Victoria Watcher]

^ right.  near the arena there blanshard got wide as there was (arena?) parking across a sort of elongated plaza.

 

it seems before the bay street armory there were lots there.  but the armory building must be old no?

 

i still remember old houses on lots 3 & 4 on caledonia across from the arena.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 November 2020 - 07:12 AM.

[Rob Randall]

I think that was parking in front of the arena.

 

Here is the map, 1963: https://www.victoria... Map - 1963.pdf

[aastra]

You can zoom in here:

http://vintageairphotos.com/1-69/

[sdwright.vic]

Talk is one of the parking lots owned by the province but managed by Robbins is being looked at for a four story parade. Uncertain which one, but info comes from a person that works for the province.

[Redd42]

 

 

A unique opportunity to acquire this historically significant office building on Victoria's downtown fringe with ample on-site parking. The location benefits from excellent exposure on the corner of Douglas and Bay Streets with 40,000 vehicles per day. The property is improved with a two-storey building over a partial basement that was constructed in 1910 for the Canadian Bank of Commerce. This is a well-maintained building with heritage features that would be an excellent opportunity as an investment or for owner occupancy. 

 

https://www.realtor....ctoria-downtown

 

THIS PRICE IS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF TWO BUILDINGS, 811 PRINCESS AND 2155 DOWLER PLACE. This is a rare opportunity to obtain land and both buildings, which have great proximity to downtown. This is a future redevelopment opportunity with holding income, as both buildings are fully leased. 2155 Dowler Place could be purchased separately.]

 

Ah, the property assembly game. Awesome when it works. But it doesn't always. And it is usually a VERY long game. So a very long gamble.

[Mike K.]

Talk is one of the parking lots owned by the province but managed by Robbins is being looked at for a four story parade. Uncertain which one, but info comes from a person that works for the province.

Nice. We’ll try to gather more details.

[Victoria Watcher]

Pilot project to move gov’t employees into West Shore pushed to early 2021

Construction set to complete by end of December


https://www.vicnews....-to-early-2021/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 November 2020 - 05:43 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

The Subject Property represents an opportunity to acquire a well-maintained office building, featuring recent capital updates and a dedicated underground parkade. The Subject Property is situated nearby Douglas Street (TransCanada Highway), and Blanshard Street (Hwy 17), two essential thoroughfares in the Greater Victoria area. -Well-maintained two-storey office building with underground parkade and elevator access to all three levels -Recent capital updates include replacement of the roof in 2015 and HVAC in 2012 -Neuromotion Physiotherapy + Rehabilitation occupies the entire main floor by a 10-year NNN lease expiring March 2029, with rental escalations throughout -Secure underground parkade with 13 parking stalls, storage rooms and fenced / gated area well suited for a bike room -Excellent opportunity for an Owner-User and / or Investor to take possession on the second floor suite -Well-suited for Professional Offices/Services, Medical Uses, Law Firms, Architects, Real Estate Offices, and more -Located nearby Douglas Street (Trans-Canada Hwy) and Blanshard Street (Hwy 17), providing excellent connectivity through Victoria, Langford, and other surrounding cities

 

$5,400,000

775 Topaz

https://www.realtor....ctoria-hillside

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 January 2021 - 06:43 PM.

[Citified.ca]

The developer has confirmed high profile tech firms are eyeing the project.

 

Plans for downtown Victoria's $100 million Telus Ocean tower tweaked as approvals process continues

https://victoria.cit...cess-continues/

[JohnsonStBridge]

I think that was parking in front of the arena.

 

Here is the map, 1963: https://www.victoria... Map - 1963.pdf

 

Why is the eastbound lane of the 900 block of Pandora Ave labelled "Meth Ch"?  Presumably it was previously a 'Meth'odist 'Ch'urch and not its current use as a 'Meth' ex'ch'ange?

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Edited by JohnsonStBridge, 26 January 2021 - 11:31 AM.