Victoria's Post-European Settlement History

The first time we walked downtown we saw the deep hole by the Visitors' Centre. And it is a DEEP hole!

Customs House Redevelopment, Victoria

This development is going to be a fancy, upscale residential one, called "Customs House".

There is some information on the website customshouse.ca which refers to the three "grand dames" of Victoria's inner harbour: the Empress Hotel, the BC Legislature, and the Customs House.

The building was constructed in 1914, and housed the federal customs offices. It was built on the granite foundations of the 1898-built Post Office, and was designated a heritage building in Victoria.

The walls that can be seen in the background are staying, and are going to be incorporated into the new development.

Photos below show the lengths which have been taken to keep the walls from tumbling down.

Customs House Wall, from back

Redevelopment showing the sign for the Presentation Centre

An article in the Victoria Times Colonist from February 2018 says the redevelopment is costing the developer $28 million. At that time, units were reported to be selling between $1.6 and $3 million, but sale prices are probably greater than these.

There was considerable controversy over the fact that the City has given purchasers of units a 10 year "tax-holiday" estimated to be costing the City over $5 million.

The justification is that it is part of the City's program to "stabilize" its heritage buildings. Any renovations must include seismic upgrading (Victoria is in an earthquake zone). The seismic upgrading for the Customs House development will exceed $6 million for the developer.

Here is a photo I found on the internet of the original Customs House:

Looking into the Customs House and its significance historically triggered a few more thoughts about our history - in this case, post-European settlement history.

Walking downtown and James Bay certainly provides a sense of the past, more so than in a newer community such as Salmon Arm. Emily Carr spent most of her life in Victoria, and her presence is here.

Statue honouring Emily Carr, with Empress Hotel in the background

Emily Carr house, Government Street. Carr was born here and
lived most of her life in the James Bay neighbourhood.

I have shown a few images of some of James Bay's older houses in an earlier posting. There are many more! Here is a small sample:

The City has done an excellent job of acknowledging and protecting heritage - despite the (partial) loss of some buildings such as Customs House. There are heritage walking tours through many of the old neighbourhoods, and a substantial 4 volume set of coffee table books called "This Old House" which focusses on the heritage of twelve neighbourhoods, including James Bay.

A visitor interested in focussing on Victoria's post-European settlement history should definitely check out this site: https://victoriaheritagefoundation.ca/

The apartment building we are staying in, Beacon Lodge, was built the year after Emily Carr died, 1946, by the Coté family, Francophones who had moved to Victoria from Edmonton. Apparently the octagonal windows are a feature of the Art Deco movement of the time. Originally it was a guest house, but was converted to apartments in the 1970's.

The most charming thing for me about the building is not its construction, but the plaque in the foyer: 

This is so apropos for me -- I see myself as a friend of nature, always seeking beauty, rest and contentment.

Definitely I am in the right place!