A former import shop and warehouse in Quadra Street Village has been completely transformed into a dance studio.

The Victoria Academy of Ballet will open specially designed facilities on Monday. It covers 8,000 square feet over two floors and is considered the best property of its kind in the area.

Bleiddyn del Villar Bellis, artistic director and owner of the academy, said around $ 1.25 million was spent to rebuild the property at 2713 Quadra St., next to the former San Remos and now Pluto’s Diner .

“This is the culmination of years of hard work and planning as we seek to provide our recreational and professional students with the best dance facilities in Victoria,” said del Villar Bellis.

“The facility is now able to match the quality of our training,” she said. “Our new home will create a first-class environment for local students and those who move from across Canada and around the world to be trained in our professional training programs.

Del Villar Bellis said the entire structure had been completely gutted and specially designed for the studio.

The end result is impressive.

It features three large studios with vaulted ceilings, suspended dance floors, a student lounge and kitchenette, a large warm-up and Pilates area, touchless water fountains, a changing room, and universal toilets. The main level is accessed by automatic doors and includes faculty and administration offices, kitchenette and living room.

The Victoria Academy of Ballet offers specialized dance lessons for three-year-olds at the professional level.

Del Villar Bellis said many of the school’s more than 120 students came from across the province, other parts of Canada and other countries.

She has owned the academy for the past decade; it was previously known as Island Dance Studio. The Victoria Academy of Ballet moved to the Quadra Village after several years downtown on Johnson and Douglas streets.

The academy employs four full-time professors and 10 part-time instructors as well as administrative staff.

“We are a mainstay in Canada, as well as around the world, for top-level dance training and we pride ourselves on producing students who will continue to lead successful and rewarding careers in the arts,” said del Villar Bellis. .

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