Historic Victoria apartment building relocated in pieces
After more than a century in the same spot, a historic housing complex found a new home further west in the Rockland neighbourhood over the weekend.
The 110-year-old apartment building, at 1082 Richmond Rd. on the corner of Oak Bay Avenue, had been slated for demolition. However, property owner Abstract Developments decided instead to work with the City of Victoria to preserve the structure, as well as the five rental units it contains.
The company sold the building to Harry Newton and Michael Sweet, who agreed to relocate it to a lot at 1044 Pemberton Rd. The pair had previously completed two other renovations nearby on Pemberton.
The Richmond building was cut in half, with each section sealed off, in preparation for the move. At 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 21, the sections were trailered up Oak Bay Avenue and moved to the new site, where they will be rejoined. The spectacle attracted a number of neighbours, some of whom sat in lawn chairs as they watched the progress.
Abstract plans to build condos on the Richmond site.
rholmen@vicnews.com
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