The Hudson District is quickly becoming a hub of activity with new developments aimed at creating a walkable community in the heart of downtown Victoria.
Last month, Victoria city council approved a 16-storey mixed use rental and ground floor commercial tower at the southwest corner of Caledonia Avenue and Blanshard Street in the Hudson District.
Townline, a Vancouver-based developer, is responsible for building out the area.
Hudson’s Walk is a mixed-used residential neighbourhood combining local commercial activity with quality housing and is the next phase in the district.
The 16-storey tower will include 178 “luxury urban” rental homes (including one and two-bedroom options) and six 1,200-square foot townhomes. It will also have a fully-equipped gym, yoga studio, games room, bike parking, a children’s playground, and 2,800 square feet of street-level retail space.
The interior will have a more contemporary feel, while the exterior finishing will consist of brick veneer street walls, painted concrete with reveals, high quality cladding, clear glazed balconies and energy efficient windows.
“We’re themeing it on this whole walkable community. Everything is at your doorstep,” said Chris Colbeck, vice president of sales and marketing with Townline. “The inspiration being the old Hudson Bay building, which was the catalyst for this whole Hudson district. It’s really a gateway to the downtown core.”
The development is one of five that are a part of the master plan for the district, bordered by Fisgard, Douglas, Blanshard and Caledonia.
To date, two of five buildings have been completed — the Hudson, a heritage restoration building with loft-style apartments and the Hudson Mews, amore contemporary, condo-style luxury rental building.
The anchor tenant is expected to be a brew pub, however, a formal rezoning proposal for brewery usage has not yet been submitted to City Hall.
Once the development is complete, it will include five buildings with close to 900 resident homes and 90,000 square feet of street-level retail.
“This is a community amenity, it’s a public realm,” Colbeck said. “Everything in the Hudson District revolves around a liveable community within the urban centre.”
Phase one of Hudson’s Walk is well under construction, while phase two will begin construction soon.