Richmond-based Townline has outlined the details behind a rezoning application to obtain the rights to situate brew pubs, breweries or distilleries at it's Hudson District development in downtown Victoria.

A statement forwarded by Townline to Citified states the following:

[Townline has] had exploratory discussions with potential operators about the addition of a brew pub which would complement the Hudson District in becoming a hub for great food, drink and culture. Townline sees this use either occupying an existing space within the historic Hudson building or in one of the new projects currently under construction (Hudson Walk) or in the planning stage (Hudson Place). The first step is to ensure this is an appropriate use for the community and Townline is holding a Community and Land Use Committee (CALUC) meeting on September 8th at 7pm at the Victoria Public Market.

While no definitive locations for breweries or distilleries have been identified, Townline recognizes the benefits of such uses for each "district" at the Hudson District bordered by Fisgard, Caledonia, Douglas and Blanshard streets:

Victoria Public Market at The Hudson
The Hudson and the Victoria Public Market at The Hudson are the ‘heart & soul’ and community centerpiece of Townline’s Hudson District. The addition of a brew pub, brewery or distillery use in this space complements the wide variety of local food retailers and producers. The historic building and complementing mixed uses are well-suited to support this type of use. The spaces within the building feature exposed concrete and high ceilings. Overall, the look and feel of a brew pub, brewery/distillery integrates very well with the ambiance of The Hudson and the Victoria Public Market.

Future Potential Locations - Hudson Walk and Hudson Place
Looking forward to Townline’s upcoming and future projects, there is a potential to integrate this proposed use into one of the fantastic retail spaces in either Hudson Walk phase one or two, with retail exposures and access either off of Blanshard or Herald. The first phase will be completed in the fall of 2016 and the second phase which was recently submitted to the City for development permit will be completed sometime in 2017. Townline’s final phase of the Hudson District, Hudson Place, may also provide opportunity for the future use. While there are no definitive dates for construction start, preliminary plans for the site are underway which include the potential for great retail spaces along Herald, Blanshard, Fisgard and the Hudson Carriage Way.

The Hudson District, comprised of the Hudson Place and Hudson Walk projects, will be home to approximately 900 residents at build-out and bring between 80,000 and 100,000 square feet of commercial space to Victoria's downtown core, including the Victoria Public Market at The Hudson.

Currently under construction at the Hudson Walk component is phase 1, a 16-storey, 178 unit rental tower with nearly 2,700 square feet of commercial space mid-way up the block between Caledonia and Herald streets. Phase 2, also a 16-storey tower, will be comprised of 106 rental units and 3,500 square feet of commercial space at the corner of Caledonia and Blanshard streets. Construction will be starting next year.

A public information meeting has been scheduled for 7PM on September 8th at the Victoria Public Market at The Hudson. C

 Article resources

• Learn more about Hudson Walk, phase 1 and phase 2 on Citified | Discuss Hudson Walk on VibrantVictoria
• Connect with Citified on  Facebook or like/share this article:
   
• Follow Citified on  Twitter

16-storey rental tower proposed at Caledonia and Blanshard streets