Historic Beach House Restaurant in Saanich, B.C., up for sale

The Beach House Restaurant in Cordova Bay, B.C., is pictured. Jan. 5, 2023 (CTV News)

The future of the Beach House Restaurant in Saanich, B.C., is uncertain after the eatery and its parking lots across the street were put up for sale.

The restaurant has been called the heart of Cordova Bay, bringing people together to dine and dance for more than a century.

Now, the restaurant and parking lots are on the market as two separate listing.

The landmark restaurant sits on two waterfront lots, with the properties earmarked for $5.5 million.

Across the street, four lots, three of which are used for parking and one of which is occupied by a single home, are listed at $9.9 million combined. They're all zoned for residential use.

The Beach House Restaurant parking lot in Cordova Bay, B.C., is pictured. Jan. 5, 2023 (CTV News)The restaurant, which was formerly called McMorran's, has a rich history. Founder George McMorran opened a store with an ice cream parlour and tea room in 1919 above Cordova Bay beach.

Later In 1947, the McMorran sons Eric and Bruce became driving members of the community, as they helped introduce and organize the legendary Saturday night dances at McMorran’s tea room.

In more recent decades, McMorran’s offered dining, live music, dancing, and served as a venue for special events until it closed in 2010.

New owner Kate Phoenix bought and renovated the restaurant from the McMorran family, renaming it The Beach House when it opened in 2012.

It has been a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering everything from coffee and baked goods from its café to sit-down meals in its restaurant. It's also hosted many, many weddings in recent years.

The Cordova Bay Community Association says news of the listing is heartbreaking.

"We've had quite a bit of response from residents – local residents – everybody is disappointed, I have to say," said Barb Lucas, president of the Cordova Bay Community Association.

"Everybody remembers McMorran's, everybody thinks of McMorran's when they mention Cordova Bay, so it would be a real loss to see this leave," she said.

Operations at the Beach House Restaurant will continue as normal until Aug. 27, 2023.