A forthcoming proposal for 603 Pandora Avenue
Westholme Hotel
A forthcoming proposal for 603 Pandora Avenue
Westholme
Overview
Redbrick, in collaboration with Aryze, is proposing a new hotel for the vacant and underutilized lot at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Government Street—a prominent Downtown site that has sat empty for the better part of a decade. The locally-led project looks to build on the existing hotel zoning at 603 Pandora, envisioning a hospitality gateway to the north end of Victoria's downtown core.
Named for the original Westholme Hotel—a historic building that anchored this same stretch of Government Street more than a century ago—the proposed development is designed to strengthen the city's visitor economy, close a well-documented gap in hotel room supply and fuel the year-round vitality that a resilient downtown depends on. Located steps from an emerging Industry, Arts & Innovation District, the project is an investment in the broader economic and cultural ecosystem of the city.
Location
603 Pandora Avenue
Sites like this one don't come along often. This is a vacant corner at one of Downtown Victoria's most prominent intersections—visible, central, and long overdue for a hotel that matches the current and future potential of the city.
This site represents not just a development opportunity, but a responsibility. While still in the early stages of design, the project team continues to approach the proposal with this weight in mind, envisioning a defining landmark hotel Victoria can be proud of.
Reinvigorating Pandora
Downtown Victoria has been investing in pedestrian-priority design for years. Westholme would extend that momentum northward, activating the streetscape along Government with an improved public realm that invites pedestrian life. Together, these contributions would make Westholme an anchor to Downtown's north end—a gateway connecting the inner harbour to the emerging Industry, Arts & Innovation District beyond.
Purposeful third spaces
The corner of Pandora and Government sits at a crucial nexus in Downtown where Lower Johnson Street, Centennial Square, and Chinatown converge. At this natural nexus and gathering node, the vision for Westholme integrates third spaces that serve the community as much as the hotel, grounded in a simple belief: the things that make a city worth visiting are the same things that make it worth living in. A great place to live is a great place to visit, and Westholme is being designed with both in mind.
History
Westholme’s opening night, 100+ years ago
It’s no coincidence 603 Pandora is already zoned for a hotel. Locals will remember the somewhat infamous Victoria Plaza Hotel and pub that stood there before it burned down. But what many don’t know is that a century ago, it went by another name. Westholme Hotel.
1911
Opening night at Westholme
An unlikely venture by the Westholme Lumber Company opens its doors on Government Street. The six-storey Edwardian building boasts 100 opulent rooms with mahogany furnishings and a restaurant, the Songhees Grill, in its basement. It's the largest restaurant in the city with seating for 600 and an orchestra for the public to enjoy as they dine and dance the night away.
1954
Westholme Beer Parlour
Riding on the restaurant’s success, the hotel opens Westholme Beer Parlour. It’s one of the first few places in Victoria where you can get a beer post-prohibition as the city begins to relax its liquor laws.
Source: Times Colonist
Source: Times Colonist
1965
Century Inn takes Westholme's place
Westholme takes a new name, The Century Inn. A minified version of the new Centennial Square fountain sits in the lobby, a nod to the newly modernized Centennial Square and McPherson Playhouse just across the street.
1984
Monty's opens its doors
The hotel unveils Monty's, a magnificent, multi-level pub featuring rich wood panelling, lots of brass, and a replica WW1 biplane hanging from the ceiling. The name, "Monty's," is chosen to evoke an English fighter pilot. Despite what we all now associate with "Monty's," the original bar is one of the nicest in town.
Source: Times Colonist
Source: Times Colonist
1988
Opening night at Victoria Plaza Hotel
Booming business with the hotel is waning. The Century Inn closes in 1986 to reopen in 1988 as Victoria Plaza Hotel and Monty’s Showroom Pub (yes, that one, and no, bringing it back is not part of the plan!).
2013
Over a century later, the hotel closes its doors
Discussions about redeveloping the property begin to circle as early as 2007. The hotel sells to a different investment group in 2011. Unfortunately, this wouldn’t save Westholme, Monty’s and the hotel shut down in 2013. The building sits empty.
2019
Fire burns the building to the ground
The hotel passes to another investment group in 2016. The then-owners of the property are in the process of resubmitting development plans when a fire breaks out and burns until there’s nothing left. Fences go up around the rubble.
2026
Westholme is reawakening
The former home of Westholme has sat empty and unused for over thirteen years. Redbrick has purchased the property and is preparing to submit a proposal to develop a hotel that would see Westholme start its next chapter.
Building Victoria 3.0
This development is an opportunity for local investment in Victoria 3.0, which lays out plans for an innovative, creative, and economically resilient downtown core.
A gateway to the arts district
Building on the momentum behind Downtown's north-end, this hotel project adds the visitor capacity that the new Industry, Arts, & Innovation District depends on to thrive.
Addressing the hotel shortage
Westholme delivers on the recommendations by Victoria's Hotel Working Group to increase hotel supply in order to sustain regional tourism.
Building Victoria 3.0
This development is an opportunity for local investment in Victoria 3.0, which lays out plans for an innovative, creative, and economically resilient downtown core.
A gateway to the arts district
Building on the momentum behind Downtown's north-end, this hotel project adds the visitor capacity that the new Industry, Arts, & Innovation District depends on to thrive.
Addressing the hotel shortage
Westholme delivers on the recommendations by Victoria's Hotel Working Group to increase hotel supply in order to sustain regional tourism.
Project status
Development process
A hotel redevelopment application has been active at 603 Pandora for several years. While the property has recently transitioned to new local ownership and a new project team, the redevelopment conversation is ongoing.
The project is currently in the preliminary stages of redesign, with full resubmission details to be shared in the coming months. Register here to stay informed and learn about upcoming engagement opportunities.
Schematic design
Pre-application consultation
Rezoning & development permit resubmission
Municipal staff review
Advisory design panel & heritage design panel
Committee of the whole
Public hearing
Building permit
Construction
Redbrick
Led by local entrepreneurs
This development is a local investment in the city. The entrepreneurs behind Redbrick live and work here, operating out of Victoria’s downtown core since 2011. That proximity gives them a clear understanding of how Victoria is evolving, including the opportunity to support more consistent, year-round activity through thoughtful hospitality.
Their long-standing relationship with the surrounding neighbourhood means they’ve also seen that site vacant for nearly a decade and would rather see local capital choose to step in than let it sit.
“We’ve spent the last decade and a half building businesses in this neighbourhood, and this project is an opportunity to invest back into the community we’ve grown alongside.”
—Tobyn Sowden, CEO of Redbrick
Redbrick is developing the project with the intention of being a long-term presence in Victoria—as an operator, employer, and participant in the local economy. Redbrick has been named one of Canada’s Top Small and Medium Employers for seven years running. As a Certified B Corp™, Redbrick is committed to building a regenerative economy through its values-driven businesses and people-first operations.
Get to know Redbrick
Stay connected to Westholme
Learn more about Westholme and its neighbours, follow development updates, and get notified of upcoming community outreach events. Get in touch directly at community@westholmehotel.com
FAQs
Before any application is resubmitted, the project will go through the City of Victoria's Community Association Land Use Committee (CALUC) process. This is a structured public engagement process that gives neighbours and community members a formal opportunity to provide input on development proposals. This process will likely take place later this year.
Meaningful community engagement is multi-layered, and the CALUC process is one phase of many. Starting the conversation early and establishing numerous feedback channels enables project leaders to connect with a broader range of community voices.
Engagement opportunities are planned for the coming months, including information sessions, neighbourhood meetings, and other ways to connect with the project team directly. The core vision has been established—a hotel at this location, designed to serve both visitors and the broader community. But many details, including the massing, programming and design, are still underway, with more information to be shared in the coming months.
Sign up for the newsletter to stay informed and receive updates as engagement opportunities are confirmed. The project team wants to hear from you—neighbours, nearby businesses, local organizations, and community members.