As with previous plans for the Turner Building on Richmond Road – not far from the Royal Jubilee Hospital – the proposal by developer Empresa Properties aims to create vibrancy.
“We intend to activate the street with notable local retailers and create a landmark pedestrian-focused village node at the base for the Jubilee community,” said Karl Robertson, founder of Empresa.
Constructed in the 1940s near the Oak Bay border, the Victoria building once housed a coffee shop, convenience store, flower shop and apartments on the second level. The building was shuttered in 2001. The building at 2002 Richmond Rd. has faced the wrecking ball since it suffered significant damage in 2013.
Empresa, with design by Cascadia Architects, plan to bring an application to the City of Victoria this fall, while continuing to work alongside the community.
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“It’s currently envisioned as a bold flat iron, six-storey design that utilizes creativity and flair to help accommodate the statutory right of way and land dedication requirements for the City of Victoria. Of course, designing to reflect the curved bullnose flatiron site has been a critical consideration of our approach as well as the more subtle details such as the tiled base and warm retail level entrances,” Robertson said. “We are moved by the appreciation we have heard so far towards the design approach and recognition of the Turner site legacy on what is otherwise a challenging site to develop and long overdue.”
Cascadia says the design team’s vision is to create a project that renews the neighbourhood centre as a visual landmark for the area. The current proposal includes ground floor uses such as a cafe and restaurant, as well as 55 purpose-built rental residential homes on the other five floors.
The project also proposes a partnership with the city, creating a community by closing the intersection of Richmond Road and Birch Street to create a public plaza.
