Site Pages
What's New
Newsletter
Special Projects
Awards
Tours
South Vancouver Island Regional Heritage Fair
Support Hallmark Heritage Society
Hallmark Heritage Society
Office location:
Ross Bay Villa
1490 Fairfield Road
Victoria, BC
Mailing address:
Box 116,
777 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1G9
office@hallmarksociety.ca
Janion Hotel and Morley's Soda Works threatened with demolition
2. Letter sent to members on April 18, 2008
Hello, Fellow Hallmark member:
The fate of the Janion Hotel at 1612 Store Street and Morley’s Soda Factory at 1315 Waddington Alley will likely be decided in the next three weeks. YOU could make a difference.
As you will recall, the City imposed a “stay of execution” on the owner’s request for demolition permits on March 13. That lasts only 60 days, then the owner can proceed, unless something else has been put in place.
I believe that only a flurry of letters/phone-calls/e-mails to Council will persuade them to intervene.
What options does Council have?
1). Council can unilaterally impose Heritage Designation on these key buildings, which will prevent demolition. (Logically, this should persuade the owner to sell.)
2). Council can find a purchaser and broker a deal, on condition the buildings be saved.
3). Council can expropriate, and find a new use for them.
4). Council can do nothing, and allow demolition.
Why are these two important?
Christopher Morley produced a variety of syrups and soda pops in his factory from 1884 onwards. Morley’s is a significant component of the Waddington Alley “streetscape”: If that were lost, it would destroy the integrity of the entire alley. We know that the roof of Morley’s is rotted, but at least this important façade could be saved. It is one of very few surviving "industrial heritage" sites in Victoria.
The Janion Hotel was greeted when it was built as “one of the best built and prettiest buildings in the city.” (Colonist, 10 Jan.1892) It had “handsome bathrooms” and “spacious dining rooms,” and its 50 large bedrooms boasted electric light and heat, and unrivalled views. I understand that –contrary to first impressions—the Janion Hotel is in excellent condition inside: The grand staircase is intact, the doors with their original hardware, the bathrooms, the light fixtures….
I believe that there is very little likelihood of the City having to pay compensation to the owner for loss of value if these buildings are designated, as she has de facto acknowledged they have no value, by leaving them disused.
What to do:
Write a good, old-fashioned letter to Mayor and each Councillor, or phone or fax (names below):
City of Victoria
#1 Centennial Square
Victoria, BC V8W 1P6
Telephone: (250) 361-0200 Facsimile: (250) 361-0348
Or: Send an e-mail to ALL members of Council:
· Mayor Alan Lowe, mayor@victoria.ca
· Coun. Sonya Chandler, sonyac@victoria.ca
· Coun. Chris Coleman, chrisc@victoria.ca
· Coun. Dean Fortin, deanf@victoria.ca
· Coun. Bea Holland, beah@victoria.ca
· Coun. Helen Hughes, helenh@victoria.ca
· Coun. Pam Madoff, pmadoff@victoria.ca
· Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe, charlaynetj@victoria.ca
· Coun. Geoff Young, geoffy@victoria.ca
I’m told that the owner has received at least one solid offer, since she requested demolition: She needs to be persuaded to accept.
I should also tell you that Hallmark has written to the Provincial Government, suggesting they purchase the Janion Hotel and convert it to low-income accommodation, as another option.
Traditionally, Council has backed away from designating buildings without the owner’s consent, and that is probably appropriate. But these two present a unique situation: Absolutely key buildings, on vital sites, in the heart of Old Town. It would be a criminal shame to allow demolition of either of these buildings.
Please try to contact Council, a.s.a.p. And by all means copy your notes to Hallmark and to the news media:
Future generations will thank you.
Best wishes, Nick Russell, president