Point Ellice House is like the house that Jack built. At first glance from the outside, its not easy to figure out which door is the main entrance. From inside the house, guests are faced by a labyrinthine layout of hallways and rooms and may be left wondering why the dining room is next to the bedrooms. "Rambling Italianate" is one of the popular architectural terms used to describe this National Historic Site, which houses British Columbias largest collection of Victoriana still in its original setting. The homes charms are enhanced by its beautifully restored nineteenth - century gardens, but its heritage character is overwhelmed by the surrounding noise and dust produced by one of Victorias few heavily industrial zones.
The house sits at the top of a bank overlooking Selkirk Water, a tidal channel between Victorias Upper Harbour and the Gorge Waterway. Once the traditional territory of the Sweng - whung First Nation, the property was acquired by the Hudsons Bay Company under treaty in 1850 and purchased by Chief Factor John Work as part of his vast Hillside Farm. It is generally believed that the original portion of Point Ellice House was built in 1861 for Works daughter Kate and her husband Charles Wentworth Wallace, and that it was designed by Wright and Sanders, Victorias first professional architects. The original wing was a simple one - storey, four - room cottage with a lean - to kitchen. Exterior wood - frame walls were covered with a stucco finish scored to resemble stone blocks.
Luminara, in Italy, is a traditional festival in which an entire town is illuminated by candle light. The resulting glow is echoed in award - winning custom - home builder Terry Johals recent project at Victorias Bear Mountain Golf Resort Properties. And so, when the time came to name the luxury property, Luminara fit the bill to a tee.
"The lighting is a key aspect of this house," says Johal, the second - generation craftsman behind Terry Johal Developments Ltd. "It was used to highlight the architectural detailing in the home. The real show stopper is the coffered ceiling of rare figured anigre that is illuminated by the lighting behind it."
Wood and light work in tandem to achieve the contemporary homes warm, inviting feel. An energy - efficient Lutron Whole Home lighting system was used to set various moods throughout the property. Appointed with recessed and indirect lighting, the foyers 18 - foot coffered ceiling carries through to the open living space, where a handsome slate fireplace anchors a wall of softly lit figured anigre. Finished in the same stain, birds - eye maple is showcased in the adjoining kitchens custom cabinetry. Recessed and toe - kick lighting enhance the woods stunning natural grain.
The Wine Islands continue to be one of the fastest wine growing regions in the world. Close to 40 wineries dot the countryside of Vancouver Island from the Saanich Peninsula to the Comox Valley, from Salt Spring Island to Hornby.
Here, in a small geographical area, you will find wines from traditional European grape varieties, crafted with intense variation. They are delightful experiments in matching old varieties with a new landscape. The most widely planted classic - grape varieties on the island are Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The Pinot Noir is a medium bodied, elegant and long lived wine that complements local specialties like salmon and lamb. This same grape is sometimes known as Pinot Grigio. These wines are distinctive, innovative examples of classic grape varietals. Lesser known varieties such as the Ortega, Siegerrebe and Bacchus that flourish in cool European climates are also popular amongst the island wineries.
Muse Winery, formerly Chalet Estate, is now in its tenth year of production on the Saanich Peninsula. It offers unique variations of traditional varieties and blends, such as Bacchus, with hints reminiscent of tart apples, key lime and mango popsicles.
A few paces away from Bastion Square, in the heart of Old Town, is a well haunted by a boy who was accidentally killed there long ago. For more than 115 years, the existence of the well was forgotten until the building was renovated in 1975 and the boys ghost was released from its lonely resting place. The story provides a vivid link to Victoria during the formative gold - rush era and a macabre reminder that life can be nasty, brutish and short.
The 1100 - block on the east side of Wharf Street is comprised of a picturesque row of buildings reminiscent of San Francisco in the 1850s. In 1861, construction began on Commercial Rows warehouses, stores and offices, which were built for some of Victorias leading businessmen, such as Richard Carr and Robert Burnaby. The row of seven side - by - side buildings, some with common walls, were unified in appearance by decorative cast - iron columns along the front facade. The columns were cast in San Francisco, providing a very tangible link to the city which supplied Victoria with most of its goods. Commercial Row is considered to be British Columbias first strip mall.
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Point Ellice house
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