Victoria Jewellers
A longtime Butler Builder® partners with developer and client to create a secure, column-free retail facility using Butler systems. The design integrates advanced security, a custom vault and the MR-24® roof system.
Project
Overview
Victoria Jewellers had outgrown its small retail space in Regina, Saskatchewan. With decades of experience and a growing customer base, owner Mike Abrahamowicz saw the need for a purpose-built facility that could support his expanding business and long-term plans for a family-run operation.
To create an open retail environment, a longtime Butler Builder® used a Butler® structural system to minimize interior columns. The system supports approximately 4,000 square feet of retail space and 250 feet of illuminated display cases without visual interruption.
"Victoria Jewellers is not only a family business but a growing business,” Abrahamowicz said. “Although recent years have been challenging for many jewelers, we’ve had great fortune.”
The owner and a developer partner selected a prominent site in southeast Regina and recommended Dura Construction Ltd., a long-standing Butler Builder®, to deliver the project. Together, they planned a freestanding two-level facility that would give Victoria Jewellers a competitive presence and the functional space required to operate efficiently.
Along with the open retail design, additional areas include offices, storage, a boardroom and a full-service kitchen to support the family-focused operation. As Abrahamowicz noted, “My family spends most of our time here, often six or seven days per week. I wanted Victoria Jewellers to be our home away from home.”
Security was central to the design. The Shadowall™ wall system was modified to integrate expanded metal mesh as a penetration-resistant layer. Bulletproof glazing protects the entry. Security cameras surround the perimeter and interior. “It is important not only to safeguard the millions of dollars of gems, but to safeguard the employees as well,” said Tim Dean of Dura. “Butler building systems integrated seamlessly with the business owner’s security specifications.”
The facility also houses a custom-designed 60,000-pound walk-in vault. Delivered in sections due to its weight, the vault required precise coordination and a tightly managed construction sequence. Dura delivered and installed the vault within the required schedule.
The building’s exterior combines a stucco finish with the Shadowall wall system, creating a clean and modern architectural presence. Inside, the retail environment features Italian marble floors, rich wood displays and pendant lighting. These finishes are protected by the MR-24® roof system, selected for its proven weathertight performance and long-term durability. The roof ensures that high-value merchandise remains protected and supports Abrahamowicz’s multigenerational vision for the business.
“When I look at the building, I feel nothing but pride. That’s one good-looking building. Victoria Jewellers is my family legacy," Abrahamowicz said.
