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According to sales staff at the Hudson, as of the end of May, 2008, about 70% of the 152 units in Phase 1 of this development are sold. At a time when pre-sales area becoming increasingly difficult for developers, this seems exceptional.

But this development truly is different from the rest, because it is taking place in the historic old Hudson Bay store on Douglas Street in Victoria. (see The Hudson - Old Meets New).

The first of the old store’s four floors will be commercial, and the other floors will be taken up with 134 condominium residences.

Up top, on the eastern half of the original structure, two floors of penthouse condominium units are being added, 18 in all, bringing the total number of units in this development to 152.

The old store occupies the western half of the city block bordered by Douglas, Herald, Blanshard, and Fisgard. The heritage facade of the west, north and south sides are being retained and restored - including the wonderful large old windows. The eastern wall, the one facing the tired old parkade, is being totally redone, and so units on that wall will feature ample-sized, eastward facing decks.

The central area of the old store is being hollowed out to create a large atrium or court yard area. Units facing the atrium area, including those at the penthouse levels will have private deck areas overlooking the courtyard.

Speaking of penthouses, two of them are two storys, and include a gigantic private terrace for outdoor living. They aren’t inexpensive (offered at $1,550,000 at the time of writing), but they are spectacular.

Penthouses are air conditioned, the remainder are not, but have ceiling fans and operable windows. On the other hand, units on the original levels have the character of those original heritage columns and ceilings.

And all units share quality features, such as Miele appliances, radiant in-floor heating.

Back to the ground floor - a carriageway is planned to run north to south along the eastern side of the old store, from Herald to Fisgard. Boutique shops are planned for this area, and access to the underground parking will be from the carriageway.

Following phases of this development - three residential towers of varying heights - will be added to the eastern half of this city block, separated from the old store by the carriageway and open spaces.

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