I spent a lovely weekend with friends in the Capital , here are a few observations from my walkabouts.
Amazing what a vision from a developer and a creative team of designers and architects can achieve when they decide against conveniently tearing down a tired building instead developing a series of rich, vibrant spaces. Witness the before and after of Victoria’s Fort Common.
Before. NE Corner of Blanshard and Broughton Streets.
After. Discovery Coffee anchors a new vibrant corner with outdoor patio seating and lots of room for bikes.
The old South elevation facing Broughton Street.
The entrance to The Livet Restaurant/Bar, above a vibrant second level patio space awaits. Fresh wood and glass playing off a slick black backdrop against a bold pop of Yellow all work well.
In addition to Discovery Coffee and The Livet, the new site configuration opens up the exciting new Fort Commons flexible space. Just follow the narrow entrance.
The before and after of the courtyard space is inspiring, from Carpark to People park. From the developer Fort Properties: “The Fort Common is a revitalized brick carriage courtyard in the heart of downtown Victoria. A blank slate, this 3000 sq ft urban outdoor venue is perfect for events large and small, including family reunions, weddings, corporate retreats and meetings.”
Before. A parking lot for Vehicles.
After. Red Arrows show Pedestrian entrances.
Vancouver, I know property prices are high but not every bland structure needs to be torn down. Re-purposing and redesigning older buildings is not only more sustainable but adds texture and variation to the cityscape. More information on Victoria’s Fort Commons here
Internal courtyards such as this one do have a lot of potential. Converting a parking lot to human-oriented open space is like turning a sword into a ploughshare. If anything, they are a quiet respite from the roaring traffic, and can offer a more intimate internal experience where light and air ventilate buildings away from the street from. Il Terrazzo restaurant off Johnston Street in Victoria also has a delightful interior courtyard with small brick fireplaces. One is reminded of the block-sized buildings in some European cities that are hollow in the centre and offer in many cases a park-like space.