Microlofts are coming to downtown Victoria.
The historic Janion Hotel, on Store Street near the Johnson Street Bridge, was unanimously approved for redevelopment by Victoria city council last Thursday.
Work is expected to begin onsite in February, said Reliance Properties president Jon Stovell.
“The Janion took about a year and a half to get approval (from Victoria city council),” he said. “Heritage buildings are always more complicated. It’s a sensitive site and an old building that matters to a lot of people.”
The heritage alteration permit allows Reliance to gut the 1891 building and add a six-storey structure to the west side of the property towards the Inner Harbour. Once complete, the building will include 113 units that will average 300 square feet in size, as well as ground level commercial space.
“We’re very excited about it,” said Coun. Shellie Gudgeon.
Reliance Properties also owns the adjacent Northern Junk buildings on the south side of the Johnson Street Bridge. Development plans for that site are expected to go to public hearing sometime in 2014, Stovell said.