Requiem for the Victoria Apartments (Morris/Hollis St.)

The Victoria Apartments sit at the corner of Morris and Hollis Streets in downtown Halifax. Victoria Apartments used to be a hotel when it was built (called ,"The New Victoria Hotel.") This block has a lot of history. It used to be owned by the family of Charles Morris - the first Surveyor-General of Nova Scotia when Halifax was founded in 1749. They are slated to be demolished sometime at the end of this year. A new condominium with retail stores will be built on this site.

Music: "Memory Lane" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons "Attribution 3.0" http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Morris
• Hollis
• Halifax
• Victoria Apartments
• Victoria Hotel
• Charles Morris
• apartment
• Nova Scotia
• historic building
• Memory Lane
• Kevin MacLeod
• incompetech
• HD
• 720p
• Canon
• Vixia
• HFS10

[macshaft]

If Halifax had some interest in actually keeping these so called "heritage" properties standing and functional it would be a different story. Slapping a heritage plaque on a building that is basically falling down does not make it a beautiful thing. We live in a city that has a lot of history that deserves respect and recognition. But they have no idea what it takes to preserve it. Look at the mess Barrington St is in. Good riddance to this fire hazard!!

[syndic3d]

@macshaft I totally agree with your comment. Yeah, there is a whole lot of work and dedication for the preservation of heritage properties. This apartments had become dilapidated due to the management of the last owners of the property. After being a residence of Charles Morris, it failed to become a profitable hotel (competing with the best hotels of the late Victorian period). Because it was repurposed as an apartment, successive owners maintained it as such to be profitable.

[syndic3d]

@macshaft Only when it wasn't maintained properly that it started to decay. Sure, buildings grow old and eventually fall apart much like our bodies. I wish people knew more of the local history of Halifax, especially the Victoria Apartments. There have been lots of stories behind it that it could be respected as an important place. I truly believe education is the key. In the end, there are other heritage properties that have been maintained well and respected.

[syndic3d]

@macshaft With respect to Barrington Street (from what I have understood), I'm guessing that the rental space for retail/office is expensive than, say, Bayers Lake area. Also, there's a shell of a building beside Attica furniture store that the owners need to do because from a tourist perspective, it's not a welcoming site on Barrington St.

[depptown]

This was an ugly dangerous tumbledown structure. Can't believe where you ppl are coming from.

[syndic3d]

@depptown "Can't believe where you ppl are coming from." In this building, people have had fond memories of passing by or living in it. Even musicians like the band Sloan and Joel Plaskett lived here and made music which built their careers. It's a video that I made which I thought I would share to anyone who knew of this building or who had memories as a former tenant. That was where I was coming from.

[rainerfloo]

The lack of heritage protection in Halifax is a real pity.

[macfrozz]

Sad and lovely for sure.Thanks for this. We were a couple of the fortunate ones who got to live in this grand old place for awhile (22 years ago).

[1moneywagon]

@melodymaker65 People like you are the reason this city is still in the stone age. Just because its old, it doesn't mean it deserves to be labeled a heritage building, if that we're the case, 99% of the building on the peninsula would heritage buildings.

[1moneywagon]

Good riddance, too many old, crappy buildings and overly idealistic people preventing development in this city. Sooooooo glad that hole is gone, the new building looks awesome.

[syndic3d]

@depptown "This was an ugly dangerous tumbledown structure." When I moved to Halifax, this was exactly what I thought when I was walking in that neighbourhood. But then I read some articles and stories about the structure - it had some interesting stories about people who lived on that property (dating back to almost over 200 years). The reason for its condition was the property owner (family or estate of Manuel Zive, I believe). The building haven't been taken care for a long time.

[melodymaker65]

If you are a property developer.....come to Halifax N.S....Its about one of the only places left in North America where you can still demolish historic buildings....If you got the money and the right ties....total corruption!