If youB次元官网网址檙e standing along Ocean Boulevard and the Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood, your eyes tend to drift to Hatley Castle and Royal Roads. But if look closely, youB次元官网网址檒l see the home of the DunsmuirB次元官网网址檚 former neighbours nestled in a low lying area of the bird sanctuary.
The Pendray House sits on the old Havenwood property, which dates back to the 1800s. According to the by Pacific Landing B次元官网网址� the site owner B次元官网网址� the property was Crown land for much of the 1800s and was purchased in 1872 by John Switzer, whom later saw the operation incorporated as the Belmont Tanning, Boot and Shoe Manufacture Co. That company owned and operated a sawmill and then a tannery from 1870 to 1920 along what is now call Colwood Creek in Hatley Park.
After that, the property changed hands several times until Herbert and Charlotte Pendray purchased the site in 1925 and began construction on the Mediterranean style villa that is now known as the Pendray House. It was completed in 1927.
Herbert and Charlotte loved to travel, according to the Havenwood history series, and spent much of their time abroad. Tiles in the large living roomB次元官网网址檚 fireplace were handcrafted and fashioned after their travels.
Charlotte was also known to be an avid entertainer, hosting elaborate parties. Much like her neighbours the Dunsmuirs she loved her garden and had an impressive display including ponds and a sundial. She also had a love of birds, which would explain the large windows overlooking the lagoon.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of a little hidden gem but people are discovering it,B次元官网网址� said Emily Royer, Pacific Landing director of sales, marketing and operations.
The entire site is nearly 12 acres, but as Royer explained, only seven of that can be developed. The rest is a migratory bird sanctuary, designated green space and the Pendray House.
While construction continues on the rest of the six phase development, the Pendray house is also slated for some upgrades to get it up to code.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e pretty restricted in what we can do, basically we can only enhance it,B次元官网网址� Royer explained. B次元官网网址淪o many people in the area have had so many interactions with this site and building.B次元官网网址�
Pacific Landing bought the property and the Pendray House roughly 10 years ago but due to the market at that time, the development was put on hold. During that time frame it served as a home for the Coast Collective Art Centre for a number of years.
B次元官网网址淵ou walk in and see how special it is,B次元官网网址� Royer said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always been part of what weB次元官网网址檝e been planning.B次元官网网址�
While Pacific Landing intends to keep the Pendray House as a focal point of the development and a place for residents and the community to gather, what exactly it will be is still to be decided.
In the coming months Pacific Landing will be hosting an open house to get feedback from residents on what they would like to see it used for. As of now, Royer noted a lot of feedback theyB次元官网网址檝e received is that residents would like to see it as some sort of food and drink service, possibly a pub.
B次元官网网址淧eople have gotten married here and weB次元官网网址檇 like to continue that,B次元官网网址� Royer said, adding theyB次元官网网址檙e open to all feedback.
While it may not look like it from the shores of the Esquimalt Lagoon, the Pendray House is 8,500 square feet. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a ton of space, thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot we can do with it,B次元官网网址� Royer noted. B次元官网网址淭he whole vision of the project is creating community.B次元官网网址�
The first phase of the Pacific Landing development was completed last fall with phase two underway and roughly 60 per cent sold. The development features two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos.
But there may be one resident who is a little out of the norm. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e never seen evidence of it but apparently we have a ghost,B次元官网网址� Royer said, adding that was discovered on a local ghost tour.
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