A long-vacant property in downtown Victoria could eventually become home to a 17-storey hotel, bringing nearly 200 guest rooms, four levels of underground parking, new restaurants and publicly accessible spaces to one of the city’s busiest intersections. New designs for the proposed Westholme hotel were unveiled Tuesday by Victoria-based developer Redbrick, offering a closer look at what could replace the property at Government Street and Pandora Avenue. The 198-room project is being developed in partnership with local company Aryze, with architectural plans by Seattle-based firm Olson Kundig. The proposal centres on a mix of hotel accommodations, dining and wellness amenities, with several features intended to draw people who aren’t staying overnight. At street level, plans show a landscaped public plaza with additional pedestrian space, seating and greenery. A ground-floor lounge and cafe would provide another gathering place, while meeting facilities would be available to both hotel guests and members of the community. Higher up, the proposed development would include a rooftop restaurant and bar open to the public, with views across downtown and the Inner Harbour. A dedicated wellness area would feature spa treatments and thermal experiences. Redbrick CEO Tobyn Sowden says the project represents an opportunity to reshape a property that has been part of the downtown landscape for generations. “We’ve called downtown Victoria home for 15 years. Seeing the vision for Westholme take shape is very exciting for all of our team and the community,” Sowden said in a release. He says the development is intended to serve more than hotel visitors, while creating a destination that reflects the character of the city. A site with a history The proposed development takes its name from the original Westholme Hotel, which opened along Government Street in 1911. The site, identified as 603 Pandora Avenue, has sat vacant since a fire destroyed the previous building in 2019. Its location places it near Centennial Square, Chinatown and the emerging Industry, Arts and Innovation District. The development team says the project comes at a time when Greater Victoria needs more visitor accommodations. Hotel room supply in the region has fallen by nearly 25 per cent since 2016, according to figures cited by Redbrick. The Greater Victoria Hotel Development Working Group estimates the region will need approximately 2,000 additional hotel rooms over the next decade. Victoria’s Official Community Plan, meanwhile, sets a target of 1,500 new hotel rooms by 2035. Community input sought The latest designs were shared during a public open house Nov. 3, where residents and other stakeholders had an opportunity to review the proposal and offer feedback. The plans are preliminary, and the project team says it will continue providing opportunities for public engagement as the proposal moves through future milestones. Residents can view the renderings, register for updates and find information about upcoming engagement opportunities at westholmehotel.com.
