A Forgotten Alleyway turned to Top Wellness Location by a Bold Female Founder: Ærth Saunas Launches June 2025 in Downtown Victoria
- Linda Helisto
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Victoria, BC – May 15, 2025 — What was once an abandoned alleyway between two historic buildings in downtown Victoria is now the epicenter of a wellness revolution.
Opening this June, Ærth Saunas opens a unique sauna location between the Pendray Tea House and Huntingdon Manor Hotel, offering a first-of-its-kind experience in the heart of one of North America's top tourist destinations.
“It’s inspirational to see these historic tourism locations and the city of Victoria to entrust such a prime location to a first-of-its-kind wellness concept,” says Viktoria.
This bold partnership and vision for the future of wellness and hospitality creates new opportunities for connection and healing, rooted in inclusivity, intentional design and bold urban repurposing.
“It’s inspirational to see these historic tourism locations and the city of Victoria to entrust such a prime location to a first-of-its-kind wellness concept,” says Viktoria.
“But that’s the future of travel, wellness and architecture: bold collaborations that serve people and place.”
Ærth Saunas in Victoria Leads the Way: Neuroarchitecture and Bold Urban Repurposing
Tucked into 312 Quebec Street, this extraordinary project blends natural elements, bold architectural storytelling, and hospitality history into an experience that feels more like a pilgrimage than a spa visit.
The architectural choices follow the principles of neuroarchitecture. A design style that brings together neuroscience and architecture.
Ærth’s design mimics forest ecosystems, with leaf-shaped structures, cold plunges, and a pollinator-friendly edible garden featuring plants used in-house for seasonal tea rituals; lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, elderflower, and more.
Moreover, the architectural choices follow the principles of neuroarchitecture. A design style that brings together neuroscience and architecture. It focuses on designing spaces based on how they affect the human nervous system, brain function, emotions, and overall well-being.
“We intentionally chose to build our three saunas from 3 different type of materials to match their purpose: one for sauna ceremonies and guided experiences that we will be introducing over time, one for quiet contemplation, and one for private use—with a bold personality of its own.”
Together with neuroarchitecture and forward-thinking urban repurposing, Ærth is a testament to changing the narrative in designing spaces for wellness:
“The biology in us is ancient. We need our urban environments to respect the nature in us if we want to build healthier communities,” says Viktoria.
Leading the Way in Inclusive Wellness
Ærth is designed with radical inclusivity at its core. It is the first outdoor sauna sanctuary in Canada with full wheelchair accessibility, and it operates on a living-wage model.
Evening hours - 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM daily - accommodate everyone from working professionals to caregivers and students who often can’t access traditional daytime spa offerings.
Inside Ærth’s Sauna Village, visitors will find:
Two 14-person community saunas, handcrafted from distinct woods to evoke different energies
A private 8-person sauna, ideal for intimate rituals, group sessions, or solo rejuvenation
Cold plunge pools, calibrated between 6–7°C for deep circulation and clarity
Ritual-based 90-minute sessions, available via drop-in, punch pass, or membership
Universal design features, including full wheelchair accessibility
Ærth isn’t just redefining wellness, it’s expanding access to it. By centering inclusivity, integrity, and human-based design, Ærth is setting a new benchmark for how healing spaces can be more accessible for all.
“The biology in us is ancient. We need our urban environments to respect the nature in us if we want to build healthier communities,” says Viktoria.
Traditionally, women have held a central role in sauna culture as caretakers, healers and spiritual guides -- Now, the women in the business of sauna are changing this.
Created by a Bold Female Founder
Viktoria Csánicz, 34, is the visionary Hungarian-born founder and “fire keeper” behind Ærth Saunas.
Over three years in the making, Viktoria has spearheaded every aspect of Ærth’s development: from selecting the pollinator-friendly edible gardens to working with the city and integrating neuroarchitectural principles.
Sauna is a leading trend in wellness. Based on the research done by Horizon, the North American sauna market generated revenue of USD 250.8 million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2025 to 2030.
Traditionally, women have held a central role in sauna culture as caretakers, healers and spiritual guides, preparing the space, supporting hygiene, even assisting in childbirth and washing the bodies of a dead in a sauna.
Now, the women in the business of sauna are changing this.
“Being a female founder in one of sauna’s biggest waves in North America fuels me. Sauna can really be a way to make a difference, and make a shift in the world,” says Viki.
The Future of Sauna
Ærth is more than a new wellness destination: it’s a signal of what’s next.
With roots in ancient healing practices and eyes on the future of cities, Ærth bridges neuroscience, sustainability, and inclusivity in a space that invites both presence and possibility.
As North America enters a new era of health tourism and urban design, this female-founded sanctuary stands as proof that wellness can be beautiful, equitable, and visionary.
For cities, travelers, travel destinations and the wellness tourism industry at large, Ærth offers more than a place to sweat. It is a new way forward.
Media are invited to experience the space firsthand starting June 2025.
Interviews with founder Viktoria Csanicz and media previews are now being scheduled.
Media Contact:
Hadi Ali
@aerthsaunas
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About Ærth Saunas Ærth Saunas is a purpose-led outdoor wellness sanctuary located in downtown Victoria, BC. Founded by entrepreneur Viktoria, Ærth fuses elemental healing, edible landscaping, and evocative design to create a radically inclusive, soul-stirring experience. Through its living-wage model, heritage hotel partnership, and garden-to-cup tea program, Ærth is helping redefine what wellness can be: earthy, elevated, and honest to the nature within us.
