The Tudor House in Esquimalt has risen from the ashes with a towering wall of glass, steel, concrete and greenery.
The new liquor store is now open, replacing the 109-year-old Tudor House Pub that burnt down in 2013. At 21 feet high and 9,000 square feet, the structure is an ambitious, bold design.
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The glass facade is particularly unique. On the north side, the glass triangles are held together with metal clamps and silicone making the joints virtually invisible, a seamless B次元官网网址渁ccordionB次元官网网址� wall of glass with panes up to 20 feet high and 21 feet wide.
Inside, the store is a glass and concrete box, with wood elements to warm the colour pallet. Running along the top of the south side is a B次元官网网址渓ive wallB次元官网网址� of plants with a complex, automated irrigation system that is completely concealed.
B次元官网网址淭he Tudor House was a statement piece back in its day: it was modern, great architecture, and you can never rebuild that. When you lose it, unfortunately you lose it. So we really decided again to go with a statement piece for this corner,B次元官网网址� said one of the owners, who did not want to be identified because he has allegedly been harassed by members of the public about his business.
ItB次元官网网址檚 clear from the outside that the new Tudor House doesnB次元官网网址檛 look much like the old one, but the owners have not forgotten the locationB次元官网网址檚 history.
Leading up the stairs to the second floor is a collage of photos of the old Tudor House when it was a pub, and Sailors Club before that.
And while the look is different, the owners hope its function will be similar and become a new hub for the community, with wine tasting, cooking lessons and art shows planned for the space in the near future.
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins thinks the business is a great addition to the community.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been lamented over and over again, the loss of that corner property. And the store is a beautiful architectural statement for our community,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址�(The owners) are community players. They participate in so many ways in the community.B次元官网网址�
While some are nostalgic for the old pub, others are embracing the new.
B次元官网网址淔or me the design is very good, because itB次元官网网址檚 a very different building, and when you come from (Admiral Road), I think itB次元官网网址檚 great,B次元官网网址� said Esquimalt resident Luda Tkatchenko.
However, she does miss the building.
B次元官网网址淥f course it was gorgeous, but very old, and unfortunately (it burned). New building B次元官网网址� why not? ItB次元官网网址檚 better than nothing.B次元官网网址�
As for the pub, it may not be gone forever. The owners may be building a pub on the lot depending on the success of the liquor store over the next few months.
A grand opening is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 20. There will be a live band and barbecue.
