Award

The Sovereign All images courtesy CHARD DEVELOPMENT LTD. by Stacey McLachlan he Victoria skyline has a new look these days, now that The Sovereign is part of the neighbourhood. As the tallest building west of Douglas street it's already an architectural icon, but the 11-storey tower's dedication to sustainability and style will solidify its reputation as one of the city's hottest new addresses. "It's a one-of-a-kind location," says Jeff Griffiths, VP of marketing for Chard Development Ltd. "When we acquired the land in 2008, our goal was to create a signature luxury hotel or condominium project. With the success of our company's The 834 project [completed in 2011], which focused on affordability, we wanted to take advantage of the unique Old Town location of The Sovereign to bring a luxury product to the market," adds Griffiths. Today, 32 boutique condos perch on top of a ground-level commercial space, offering a sophisticated and convenient home to the discerning Victorian. "It's an outstanding location in the heart of downtown, close to heritage buildings," says Bill Reid, architect at Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership. The heritage buildings provided plentiful design cues for the project: the natural stone and brick exterior cladding mimic the neighbouring towers, though The Sovereign's unique staggered window pattern provides a modern T twist on the architecture of days gone by. "Brick and stone were chosen to be compatible with the nearby heritage buildings, especially the Yarrow Building to the immediate east of The Sovereign," says Reid, adding that the City of Victoria design panel had to approve the colour and style of the brick during the Development Permit application process. The final product features a beautiful mix of limestone, granite, brick and metal accents that pair historic charm with modern durability. "We detailed the elements – like canopies, supports for limestone cladding, trellis and the outdoor kitchen shelter – to be durable and to withstand the wind and snow loads, but at the same time fit with the developer's and architect's desired appearance," says Colin Macmillan, structural engineering consultant with Read Jones Christoffersen. The Sovereign's Old Town setting inspired much of the interior design, too. Lush textures like wool carpeting, wide-plank hardwood floors and bold granite countertops offer glamour, but also warmth. The bathrooms feature luxe touches like heated floors and in the kitchen, natural rosewood and walnut veneers celebrate modern West Coast esthetics. Built-in pantries maximize storage and the under-counter micro- wave frees up valuable counterspace. It's the well-thought-out attention to detail, such as a shared guest suite and prewired fibre-optic internet service that gives this project an element of luxury. The open-concept floorplans are flooded with natural light thanks to oversized windows that are equipped with sleek and modern roller blinds. Sweeping vistas of Victoria's famous Inner Harbour and the Olympic Mountains make for a spectacular view from the upper level suites, while those on the lower levels enjoy the sights of the bustling city and Empress Hotel. A communal rooftop kitchen and outdoor fireplace with lounge seating The Sovereign p50-53 The Sovereign.indd 51 13-09-13 3:46 PM

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