Project Updates

Restaurant and Retail Tenant Search: March 8, 2012 - Greater Victoria Harbour Authority holds a process to select food & beverage, retail and exhibit operators to sub-tenant the 1924 landmark CPR Terminal building on Victoria's Inner Harbour.

CPR Terminal Market Opportunity

CPR Proposal Submission Form 

GVHA Selected: Nov. 30, 2011 - Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is selected to manage and operate the CPR Terminal by the building's owner, the British Columbia Provincial Capital Commission.

Initially, GVHA will be focused on re-opening the CPR terminal with highly capable and experienced food, beverage and retail operators, which will serve as a stepping stone to advance our plans for a consolidated common-use ferry terminal. Ultimately, our objective is to establish a world-class and sustainable marine transportation and tourism gateway for the region.

View highlights from the GVHA proposal for the CPR Terminal

Background 

The CPR Steamship Terminal building is a historic Victoria landmark on the Inner Harbour. The neo-classical structure was designed by Francis Rattenbury, architect of the nearby Legislature Building and the famous Empress Hotel. The CPR terminal was constructed in 1924.

In 2009, the building was closed for seismic reinforcement work. In late 2011, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority was selected to complete the restoration of the building, fill it with tenants and restore it to its place as a vibrant public facility and transportation hub. 

Project Goals

The revitalization of the CPR Steamship Terminal building will accomplish the following:

  • Emphasize and enhance the heritage appeal of Victoria and the Inner Harbour, with a focus on restoring the former grandeur of the CPR Steamship Terminal as an iconic Rattenbury building, in line with the Empress and Legislature

  • Re-establish the historical function of the CPR Steamship Terminal, catering to both travelers and locals alike, by linking to a new consolidated common-use ferry terminal that provides a world-class international gateway for Victoria

  • Develop a new, dynamic and prime civic-use space for the benefit and enjoyment of Greater Victoria residents, the broader British Columbia community and domestic/ international visitors alike

  • Engage the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations in a respectful and meaningful partnership during all three stages of the revitalization project.

In addition, GVHA’s proposal aims to leverage and optimize traffic flows generated from ferry terminal and cruise ship traffic to ensure long-term commercial viability and sustainability of the Belleville properties. This viability and sustainability is achieved through a careful balancing of commercial and civic/public uses. GVHA is uniquely positioned to make this project a reality due to its not-for-profit status, ability to serve as a vehicle for grant funding and capacity to finance through debt serviced by passenger/user fees.

Photo Gallery