A 17-storey hotel could rise from the ashes of Victoria's Plaza Hotel. Redbrick's proposed Westholme Hotel would bring 198 rooms, a public rooftop restaurant and new gathering spaces to downtown Victoria. Victoria's iconic Plaza Hotel was destroyed in a fire in 2019, but new designs have been released for a 198-room, 17-storey hotel to take its place: the Westholme Hotel. The empty lot, on the corner of Government Street and Pandora Avenue, is owned by local tech company Redbrick. Organized by Redbrick, Aryze and designed by the renowned architecture firm Olson Kundig, the hotel would serve as a community hub. Based on the new designs, it would feature cafes, a shopping plaza, wellness spas and conference rooms for hotel guests and the public. The design also includes a publicly accessible rooftop restaurant with views of the inner harbour and downtown Victoria. The new development takes its name from the original building, which opened in 1911. The proposal comes amid Victoria's decreasing hotel capacity and the city's demand for more hotels over the next 10 years. Victoria's hotel capacity has decreased by 25 per cent since 2016, according to Redbrick. The architectural design is in response to Victoria's historic character, meant to celebrate the local culture, natural landscape and art of the Pacific Northwest. "Westholme is intended to bring renewed activity to this part of downtown," said Redbrick in a written release. Redbrick says the business brought in by the hotel would provide accommodation for visitors, long-term investments and jobs. A 2000-room hotel would create over 2750 jobs, according to a 2026 report by Destination Victoria. "With partners Olson Kundig and Aryze, we have an opportunity to create something that reflects Victoria's character and brings new life to a prominent downtown corner. We want Westholme to be more than a hotel, but a place that welcomes both visitors and locals and contributes to the city's future," said Redbrick CEO Tobyn Sowden. With Chinatown, Centennial Square, the innovation district, and the developing arts industry nearby, it could bring more people to the area and support local businesses. Bailey Pilgrim-Paje is a student journalist interested in culture, social justice and the world around her. When not looking at the bigger picture, she lives by her three F's: food, film and fashion.

Highbourne brings conservation-first design to a private island community in the Bahamas. New villas, expansive estate lots and thoughtfully integrated outdoor amenities redefine private island living in the Exumas. Outdoor living has always been inseparable from life in the Bahamas, but Highbourne's newest residential offering takes that relationship a step further. The 500-acre private cay at the northern gateway to the Exumas has launched sales for just 19 residences and estate parcels, with architecture, landscapes and outdoor spaces designed to exist in harmony with one of the Caribbean's most biodiverse environments. Rather than allowing development to dominate the island, the vision places the landscape first, carefully positioning homes so that beaches, native vegetation, and panoramic ocean views remain the defining features. Architecture designed around the landscape. Highbourne assembled an accomplished design team to shape the island's next chapter, selecting Olson Kundig for architecture, Studio Valle de Valle for interiors, and Raymond Jungles, Inc. for landscape architecture. Each discipline was developed simultaneously so the homes, gardens, and outdoor living spaces respond naturally to the site's topography, prevailing breezes, and surrounding vegetation. Landscape plans rely exclusively on native plantings intended to strengthen local ecosystems rather than replace them, creating outdoor environments that feel fully connected to the island. Outdoor living at the center. The nine planned four-bedroom villas begin at $18 million and occupy approximately two to three acres each. Large terraces, expansive glazing and open-air showers create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, while private settings allow residents to experience uninterrupted views across the surrounding waters. For buyers seeking greater flexibility, 10 estate lots ranging from approximately 10 to 20 acres provide generous beachfront homesites with roughly 430 feet of shoreline. Owners may build on their own timeline, with optional construction management available through Highbourne. Resort amenities expand. Development begins this fall with a significant enhancement of the island's shared amenities. Plans include a new Beach Club featuring a pool bar, racquet courts and indoor-outdoor fitness center designed to encourage year-round outdoor recreation. A $20 million marina redevelopment will introduce floating docks capable of accommodating larger vessels while improving shore power and marina services for owners. Additional improvements include renovations to the island's restaurant and general store, a new welcome center and broader infrastructure enhancements. Conservation guides every decision. Environmental stewardship remains central to the project. Bahamian naturalist Elijah Sands continues leading conservation initiatives across the island, documenting more than 300 species of plants and wildlife while overseeing efforts to protect coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests and other sensitive habitats. By limiting development to only 19 ownership opportunities across more than 500 acres, Highbourne aims to preserve the qualities that have made the island a destination for generations of boaters while creating a residential community designed around the natural landscape rather than in spite of it. For homeowners seeking privacy, expansive outdoor living and direct access to one of the Caribbean's most celebrated cruising destinations, Highbourne offers a rare opportunity to own within an intentionally low-density island community where architecture and nature are designed to coexist.