49 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

From Guise:

When do you need the money?
A: By January 16, 2025 we'll need to have at least another $250K. The remaining $1M is needed by June 30, 2025

What happens if you don't get those chunks of money by January 2025 and by June 2025?
A: In accordance with our loan agreement with Kate, she has the right to trigger a sale of the building to recoup her investment. She's been more than generous to date and has already extended this deadline twice. We've pushed it as far as we can.

- https://www.othergui...716-johnson-q-a

[Victoria Watcher]

On with the show: Council approves $100K for new downtown Victoria arts venue

Other Guise Theatre is raising money to turn 716 Johnson St. into a performing arts hub

https://www.vicnews....s-venue-7777274

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 January 2025 - 12:49 PM.

[Mike K.]

That leaves $1.15 million needed by June 30th.

[Victoria Watcher]

On Jan. 23, during a committee of the whole meeting, councillors denied the $125,000 proposal and adopted a motion to grant the company $100,000 with no conditions.

 

Council adopted the amended motion, though three councillors opposed: Stephen Hammond, Krista Loughton and Marg Gardiner.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...debate-1235419/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 January 2025 - 02:08 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Victoria theatre celebrates as downtown performing arts hub nears completion

An Aug. 16 speakeasy marks The Other Guise Theatre Society moving into the final phase of renovations


https://www.vicnews....pletion-8170182

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 August 2025 - 11:00 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Artists now have a new space available to them with a new venue opening in downtown Victoria.

The Scene, owned by Other Guise Theatre, is at 716 Johnson St. and is a rental space with a performance venue and two rehearsal rooms.

“We’re thrilled to open our doors and welcome Victoria’s creative scene,” says Matthew Payne, executive and artistic director of Other Guise Theatre.

https://cheknews.ca/...ctoria-1285054/

[Victoria Watcher]

The Other Guise says that if they don’t have an investor by March 31st, they will have to sell.

 

 

 

This after the City granted them $200,000.

[Victoria Watcher]

And $250,000 from the provincial government taxpayers.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 March 2026 - 11:38 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

And $250,000 from the provincial government taxpayers.

 

Victoria theatre company says without investor, it will have to sell venue

The Other Guise Theatre Society owes $1.25 million on the Johnson Street venue by the end of March.

https://www.timescol...-venue-12013203

 

 

 

If the building must be sold, it may not mean the end for the venue, Payne said.

 

“If it’s a developer that wants to hold the space, then potentially we can be a tenant in that space, so we’re not taking our foot off the gas in terms of making a busy, thriving arts hub,” he said.

 

Despite meeting with traditional lenders, the theatre company has not been able to secure a loan because it is still in the early stages of the project and does not have a full year’s track record.

 

A traditional lender would need to take out an additional mortgage with the vendor.

 

Payne said the company has a solid plan in place and equity in the building, making it a potentially good investment for somebody with money and patience.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 March 2026 - 10:02 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

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

 

A rare opportunity to own a fully standalone building in the heart of downtown Victoria. Purpose built for creative, cultural, and experiential uses, this property sits along one of the city’s busiest pedestrian corridors and offers exceptional identity, flexibility, and long term potential in a market where true standalone assets are increasingly scarce. Ideal for owner occupiers, investors, and creative organizations seeking a flagship presence, the building features open span areas, performance ready space, and versatile support rooms suited for studio, rehearsal, or production needs. Whether maintained in its current configuration or reimagined for new uses, it provides a strong foundation for distinctive creative or experiential activation in Victoria’s urban core.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 06 May 2026 - 01:16 AM.