Fate of houses uncertain as Victoria Place takes shape

The fate of some of Bermuda’s oldest houses looks uncertain as residents prepare to move in to new homes.

Tenants of Victoria and Albert Row in Sandys are expected to leave the old terrace block by the end of this month.

Most will be relocated into the brand new Victoria Place development that has been erected nearby.

But what the future holds for this old stretch of properties remains unclear after the $25 million project.

WEDCO Chairman, Ray Charlton, told the Bermuda Sun: “This past two months we have been discussing and trying to find the best way forward for Victoria and Albert Row.

“We have reached out to Habitat for Humanity about potentially fixing them up and leasing them back to the tenants but they can no longer help

“We have made inquiries with the Royal Naval Dockyard Association to find out if we were missing out on any available funds but there is nothing.”

WEDCO General Manager Andrew Dias added: “Right now we are spending $25 million on Victoria Place and with that expenditure there is no money left in the kitty to do anything with Victoria Row and Albert Row.

“We are still exploring some positives, but there is no time frame for when we can do something with them.

“There are a few conversations going on at the moment and we are hopeful at what may be one or two positive signs.

“If they materialize we could see something in short time.

“We have irons in the fire but it comes down to money.

“The challenge is that these old units need a considerable upgrade as they contain asbestos and need extensive plumbing work.

“We are looking to get the best of both worlds and it’s not an easy situation.

“What we can say is that when and if they are renovated then the $600 to $1,200 rent charge is going to be a thing of past.”

A total of 20 new homes have been built at the new Victoria Place site.

WEDCO bosses recently announced plans to cut the rent on the new properties to make them more affordable.

And they expect most of the new units to be occupied by next month.

Mr Charlton, who is also the OBA representative for the area, added: :Speaking with my OBA hat on rather than WEDCO I have seen the potential of what the old terraced home could look like; very up-scale apartments with a large living area and one extremely large bedroom.

“I would like to see them taken out of WEDCO hands and made available as properties to purchase.

“These are historic listed buildings and people could take them and fix them up and they would have historical value.

“Look at what was done with Dockyard Terrace.

“They were in a bad condition, but they have been renovated to their present condition and they are virtually all rent now.

“There are people that enjoy living in a historic homes and the challenges that brings.”