Page M4 April 25, 1990.

This Week

ROFILE |

The Lord of Dashwood Manor

By JOHN STANTON
This Week Contributor

Derek Dashwood’s love af-
fair with the well known Sa-
muel Maclure- designed
house at the corner of Cook
Street and Dallas Road on
Victoria's waterfront began in
1952.

Little did he know then that
one day he would be the lord
of this familiar landmark now
called Dashwood Manor.

Dashwood first set eyes on
the house, when as a young-

ster, he was visiting one of his —

friends in Victoria.

“I remember coming around

this corner as we were going
back to his house. I saw that
place and it just seemed like
such a big wonderful old
house,” he said.

At that time, in the early
1950s, the 1912-era house
was a derelict. Two years after
moving to Victoria in 1959,
Dashwood, at the age of 21,
began buying and fixing up

old homes in James Bay and |

Fairfield, setting the scene

where he would eventually |
rekindle his interest in the ©

house at Dallas and Cook.

‘In 1978 the house renovator
whose day job was credit
manager at a newspaper, paid
a visit to his banker and
bought the house.

“This was the biggest,
grandest thing I have fixed
up, and it just about broke me
many times.”

The place was more ofarun |

down apartment building
than an elegant Edwardian
manor, and it was not paying
its way:

“I took it from a tenement,
to something that was what |

the rental market could bear,
but still it wasn’t meeting the
costs and I had much more
work to do on it,” he said.

He abandoned the idea of |

maintaining it as rental ac-
commodation, after looking at
the findings of a market re-
search report he prepared for
his bosses just before the start
of the last recession. He deter-
mined that Victoria was los-
ing its industrial and govern-
ment tax base and that tour-
ism had a good future because
of the environment and ambi-
ence of southern Vancouver
Island. About five years ago
he decided to convert the rent-
al unit into a bed and break-

| fast establishment.
| Maintaining and upgrading
| Dashwood Manor consumes

every day of the week for
Dashwood and his family who
live in a small home next door

to the big heritage house. A Dashwood has done and con-
tour of two recently refur- tinues to put a lot work and
bished rooms indicates that money into his business. One

chenette, bathroom, living
area, a granite fireplace and a
spectacular view of Juan de
Fuca Strait. The renovations
were extensive because a wall
had to be removed and a
beamed ceiling repaired, he
said. Muted wall to wall car-
peting and chandeliers com-
plete the elegant room. In its
early days this corner suite
was the drawing room for
gentlemen to gather for bran-
dy and a chat after dinner.
Next to it is another suite on
the main floor which also has
that fresh new atmosphere of

ing prepared for a newly-wed
couple.

“We really try to make the
honeymoon a festive occasion.
The staff treat them as if they
were their favorite aunts and
uncles.”

That welcome goes to all
other guests as well, said Da-
shwood. More than 80 per
cent of his customers are
Americans who stay for one or
more nights before heading
off to some other destination.
Comments in his guest book
testify to that.

“Most enjoyable stay; Fan-
tastic views; You made my
30th very special; Often felt at
home; You do a great job,” are
representative of the feelings
of hundreds of guests.

Dashwood and his manor
seem set for a prosperous new
decade because as the months
and years go by more and
more people find out about
Dashwood Manor by word of
mouth advertising.

“About one third of our cus-

their friends.”

This means a cut in future
advertising costs with the
money saved being ploughed
into more upgrading and
changes, he said.

In addition to the on and
off- season rates and specials
for senior citizens, visitors get
many little extras including
toiletries, small sewing kits

SAMUEL MAGLURE would be proud of the job Derek Dashwood and his family have done in
restoring the rmansion he designed at the corer of Cook Street and Dallas Road. The house,
now operated as a bed and breakfast, affords a magnificent view across the Strait of Juan

de Fuca and is a favourite spot for many visitors.

for emergencies and well-
stocked kitchenettes.

“Victoria is such a magical
special spot that it will compel
people to keeping visiting
here,” he said.

recent renovations. It was be- —

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