City of Victoria buys historic Hermann's Jazz Club for $4M

The City of Victoria is getting into the live music business after shelling out nearly $4 million to buy the Hermann's Jazz Club building, home to one of the longest-running jazz clubs in the country.

The City of Victoria is getting into the live music business after shelling out nearly $4 million to buy the Hermann's Jazz Club building, home to one of the longest-running jazz clubs in the country.

The announcement came just days after the club's non-profit operator, the Arts on View Society, announced it would no longer lease and operate the club's upper floor Hermann's Upstairs lounge by the end of the month due to financial pressures.

Victoria spokesperson Colleen Mycroft issued a media release Monday announcing the city had purchased the View Street building and the businesses operating within it, which also includes the View Street Social pub.

"This purchase demonstrates council's commitment to preserving and investing in music spaces downtown as reflected in our 2023-2026 strategic plan," Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said in the release.

The four-year strategic plan prioritizes investments in artistic, theatrical and music spaces aligns with the city's OUR DWTN program to rejuvenate the downtown core.

"This venue’s importance was also identified during development of the Victoria Music Strategy, and I hope it will continue to contribute to Victoria’s vibrant arts and culture scene for years to come," Alto added.

First adopted by city council during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Victoria Music Strategy aims to foster the city's music scene by preserving live music venues and providing grants for artists.