Purchase reflects city’s commitment to preserving and investing in music spaces downtown, part of council’s four-year strategic plan, mayor says.
The City of Victoria has made a $3.95 million investment in the arts community by buying 751-753 View St., the home of Hermann’s Jazz Club and the View Street Social, says Mayor Marianne Alto.
The Arts on View Society, which has been operating the building’s live music venues, gave notice to the previous owners it would not continue to lease and operate the upper floor, known as Hermann’s Upstairs Lounge, after March 31. Thomas Soulliere, deputy city manager, said the timing of the sale came down to acquisition finally becoming an option.
Various developers attempted to purchase the property during the past decade but Nieweler said he never felt the right deal materialized. That the purchase aligns with the city’s arts and culture master plan and music strategy and bolsters the arts and culture economy is a win-win scenario, she added. “Having a landlord that really gets that is so exciting because there are so many more opportunities we can give musicians.”