It would be the tallest building on Vancouver Island — 30 storeys at the Hudson’s Bay site in downtown Victoria.
The tallest building in Victoria now is Bosa Properties’ 21-storey Promontory at Bayview Place near the Inner Harbour, in Vic West.
A Nanaimo condo tower, the Beacon, is the tallest on the Island at 27 storeys.
Townline, developer of the Hudson District, is pitching the 30-storey idea to the City of Victoria.
Justin Filuk, Townline’s director of development, said talks with the city are preliminary and there is no set design for what will be called Hudson Place I and Hudson Place II. The first, the tallest, is expected to be a condo tower; the second could have rental units.
“We haven’t landed on a height,” Filuk said, noting they have used 30 because it’s a nice round number.
Townline already has approval for one 24-storey tower and a second shorter tower on its site.
Filuk said they decided to come out with the new tower height because rumours had started to swirl that the company was considering going higher.
“I’m sure there are people who won’t like the idea, but there are people who want to see more unique buildings and a bit of drama on the skyline here.
“As we develop the final plans, we have played around with tower designs and for us it makes more sense, instead of coming out with a big, chubby building, to put the density on higher floors,” he said.
“We also want to get some general feedback about whether that’s palatable to the general public and the planning department.
“We know our building will be an important piece of Victoria’s downtown, so we want to make sure everyone is comfortable with the idea and that we have a valid reason for it.”
Townline has transformed the historic Hudson’s Bay building into a residential project, added rental buildings Hudson Mews and Hudson Walk One, and is completing Hudson Walk Two.
The 30-storey tower would be on a site that once housed the Bay’s parkade, at 1700 Blanshard St., bordered by Herald and Fisgard streets.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said she will wait and see before passing judgement.
“I haven’t seen any proposal yet but will keep my mind open and see what the design elements are,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing what it will look like.”
Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe, one of council’s liaisons to downtown, said at first blush 30 storeys seems high.
“But I would have to consider the rationale for this request. Is it maintaining the current density and asking for a taller, thinner building? Is it asking for increased density as well? Are amenities being offered such as affordable housing, affordable daycare space, or green space for downtown?” Thornton-Joe said in an email.
Townline will hold information sessions on April 5 at the retail space of Hudson Walk I along Herald Street.
— With files from Andrew A. Duffy and Bill Cleverley
