TOWNLINE CONNECT
Volume 21 - Summer 2014

The Hudson District Victoria’s Hub Feeding Community Spirit

Townline had bold ambitions to establish the Hudson District as Victoria’s preferred place to live, work, shop, and eat. The result has become so much more than we could have hoped for: Victoria’s “it” neighbourhood for urbanites of all ages. This is in large part due to the strength of Townline’s trinity—the Hudson, Hudson Mews, and the upcoming Hudson Walk—as well as the vibrant Victoria public market at the Hudson, which animates the neighbourhood and draws people from far and wide.

For Rent. Again.

Hudson Mews was received with overwhelming success. All 120 suites were fully leased in just 60 days, snapped up quickly by the many people wanting to live in this stylish tower in the heart of downtown Victoria’s Hudson District, a transit-friendly community of independent boutiques, a farmer’s market, cafés, yoga studio and the Victoria Public Market at The Hudson. The varied demographic—students, urban professionals, and retirees—is further proof that the neighbourhood is loved by people at all stages of life.

The enthusiasm for Hudson Mews showed Townline that there’s real demand for quality, design-forward concrete rental homes—especially in this exceptional neighbourhood. Chris Colbeck, Townline’s VP of Sales and Marketing, says “we could have rented the building twice over.” With that in mind, Townline recently started construction on phase one of Hudson Walk, a 16-storey tower with retail at street level and approximately 178 luxury urban rental homes above. Residents will enjoy their own lounge, gym, and underground parking—and they’ll love having the Victoria Public Market at The Hudson so conveniently close.

Soul, Food At The Victoria Public Market At The Hudson

In 2013, Townline transformed the ground floor of the former Hudson’s Bay department store into a food-focused public market. The big idea was to raise the profile of Vancouver Island farmers and artisan food-producers, giving them a permanent, affordable, year-round venue for selling directly to the public. And we’ve done that, but in the process we’ve also helped to create and establish The Hudson District as a unique community with soul.

The Butcher, The Baker, And More

The Victoria Public Market at The Hudson is known as a gourmet hotspot, a landmark destination popular with both tourists and locals. Home to a butcher, a baker, a cheesemaker, and more, it can supply just about everything on your shopping list. Permanent vendors include Ravenstone Farm Artisan Meats, The French Oven, Salt Spring Island Cheese, Cowichan Bay Seafood, Victoria Pie Co., Silk Road Tea, Roast, and Island Spice Trade—to name just a few. And The Grocer at The Hudson is your go-to for fresh, locally grown produce and daily essentials.

Inspiring, Educating, And Entertaining

Also in the market are kiosks that give young entrepreneurs opportunities to test-market new products and learn retail skills. Day-table vendors set up shop with seasonal wares on a short-term basis, and the farmer’s market runs March to November on Wednesdays and Saturdays, attracting visitors from Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island.

The heart of The Hudson District in downtown Victoria, the public market has hosted weddings, tastings, festivals, and holiday celebrations. A few of the events drawing larger crowds were the Spot-Prawn Festival, Craft Beer Week, and a cooking demo with legendary chef Vikram Vij.

For more information on the Victoria Public Market at The Hudson, visit victoriapublicmarket.com

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