A landmark is reborn – transforming the historic Customs House in Victoria’s Inner Harbour
Source: rew.ca
Learn how the award-winning Cielo Properties is updating an icon.
Over a decade, James Sinclair has owned and sold several condos, but when the 54-year-old discovered Customs House, he instinctively knew this was a world-class project that he wanted to live in.
“Nothing can compare to Customs House,” Sinclair says. “Not only is this an incredible location, the interiors are going to be spectacular, with the most high-end finishes and views.”
Nestled alongside the Empress Hotel and the BC Legislature in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Customs House (circa 1898) was reinvented a few times as a Federal Building, Post Office and Customs House.
Customs House, which marries the grand dame with a new seven-storey addition, will consist of 51 luxury contemporary condos, ranging from 1,423 to over 3,500 square feet, and feature approximately 16,000 square feet of retail space at ground level, which will be home to high-end restaurants and boutique retail stores.
“This is the first prime real estate offering in the Inner Harbour,” says Craig Anderson, Marketing and Sales Director, Magnum Projects. “Besides its beautiful architecture, this building has such a storied past. Not only has the developer preserved the original sandstone exterior, its been added to the new (seven-storey addition) as well.”
As you enter the impressive lobby with its dramatic marble flooring and concierge reception area, you will be welcomed home in style; while the luxury condos’ spacious and inviting interiors will be flooded with natural of light and exceptional finishes.
Designed by award-winning Insight Design Inc., each residence offers a seamless blend of West Coast inspired architecture. The residences feel grand with 10 to 13-foot ceilings, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, wide plank engineered hardwood floors and tile flooring in the bathrooms.
Aspiring chefs will fall in love with the inviting and airy kitchens, highlighted by imported Italian cabinetry, engineered stone countertops, quartzite island with a waterfall edge, and Sub-Zero, and Wolf appliances; making these kitchens perfect for entertaining.
It doesn’t end there. Many of the Zen-like ensuite bathrooms will encourage you to linger a little longer with white marble countertops and bathtub deck, full height marble and glass mosaic vanity feature wall above vanity, and integrated, Italian-designed medicine cabinets.
Feeling a deep sense of obligation to create a vision that not only respects and embraces Customs House celebrated history, renowned local architect Paul Merrick - whose award-winning heritage projects include the Orpheum Theatre and Victoria’s St. Ann’s Academy – took on the task of reinventing the landmark heritage building.
“This place was never really strong in anyone’s mental map,” says Merrick, adding the new design will live on in people’s consciousness. “One of the most meaningful things this new place is going to do is make it a contributor to this part of the city, and by doing that it will contribute to the whole city.”
There are only 10 residences left. For more information, visit www.customshouse.ca, email info@customshouse.ca, or call 250–590–9881. The Discovery Centre, located at 955 Wharf Street, is open by appointment only.