Downtown Victoria Tour

Wharf Street – 1100 Block

1117-1125 Wharf Street – the Rithet Building

The Rithet Building at 1117-1125 Wharf Street is the primary structure in this group of 19th century commercial buildings in the 1100 block of Wharf Street.

The Rithet Building is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

The Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street, built 1861-1865 with additions in 1885 and 1889.

The Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street, built 1861-1865 with additions in 1885 and 1889.

Here’s a map showing the location of the Rithet Building at 1117-1125 Wharf Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of the Rithet Building:

A Brief History of the Rithet Building

The Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street, is comprised of three separate buildings erected between 1861 and 1885.

The middle building of the three was originally a two story building. The northern building and the southernmost building were originally single story structures and the second stories were later additions.

The ground floor of this section of the Rithet Building, 1117-1129 Wharf Street , was built in 1861. 1129 Wharf Street (on the left of this photo) was originally built in 1862.

The ground floor of this section of the Rithet Building, 1117-1129 Wharf Street, was built in 1861. 1129 Wharf Street (on the left of this photo) was originally built in 1862.

The Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street, built 1861-1865 with additions in 1885 and 1889. This section of the building was the latest addition circa 1889.

This southern section of the Rithet Building, 1117-1129 Wharf Street , was built in 1888.

This southern section of the Rithet Building, 1117-1129 Wharf Street , was built in 1888.

Here is a photo of the Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street, circa 1912, when it was being used by R.P. Rithet & Co. (photo: Victoria Online Sightseeing collection)

The Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street and 1129 Wharf Street circa 1912. In this photo 1117-1129 Wharf Street is occupied by R.P. Rithet & Co. and 1129 Wharf Street is occupied by Walter Fraser & Co., a hardware dealer.

The Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street and 1129 Wharf Street circa 1912. In this photo 1117-1129 Wharf Street is occupied by R.P. Rithet & Co. and 1129 Wharf Street is occupied by Walter Fraser & Co., a hardware dealer. (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

Here is a photo of the Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street, taken in 2005 from approximately the same position as the 1912 photo above. (photo: Victoria Online Sightseeing)

The Rithet Building in 2005

The Rithet Building in 2005

The Rithet Building was purchased by the B.C. Provincial Government in the 1970’s and was used as government offices. It was consolidated with 1107 Wharf Street and 1109 Wharf Street into a single complex with a new address of 1107 Wharf Street.

In November 2015 the Rithet Building was put on the market and it was sold in January 2016 for $10,380,000.

Additional Information About the Rithet Building:

  • Assessed Value (2020):  $9,706,000; Land: $7,014,000; Buildings: $2,692,000
  • Assessed Value (2019):  $10,552,000; Land: $7,706,000; Buildings: $2,846,000
  • Assessed Value (2018):  $9,804,000; Land: $6,846,000; Buildings: $2,958,000
  • Assessed Value (2017):  $8,821,000; Land: $5,687,000; Buildings: $3,134,000
  • Assessed Value (2016):  $8,319,000; Land: $5,008,000; Buildings: $3,311,000
  • Assessed Value (2015):  $5,363,000; Land: $3,398,000; Buildings: $2,197,000
  • Canadian Register of Historic Places
  • Maltwood Gallery – University of Victoria
  • Times-Colonist – 21 January 2016

Here are some more historic photos of the Rithet Building:

The Rithet Building is legally consolidated with the adjacent buildings to the south at 1107 Wharf Street and 1109 Wharf Street.

1107 Wharf Street, built circa 1862. It was once the office and warehouse of Richard Carr, the father of well known Canadian artist and writer Emily Carr (1871-1945)

1107 Wharf Street, built circa 1862. It was once the office and warehouse of Richard Carr, the father of well known Canadian artist and writer Emily Carr (1871-1945)

1107 Wharf Street is now legally consolidated with 1109 Wharf Street and 1117-1125 Wharf Street. Read More…

1107 Wharf Street (right) built circa 1862, and 1109 Wharf Street (left), built circa 1861.

1107 Wharf Street (right) built circa 1862, and 1109 Wharf Street (left), built circa 1861.

1109 Wharf Street is now consolidated with 1107 Wharf Street and 1117-1125 Wharf Street. Read More...

Here are some Historic Victoria Advertisements for businesses associated with the Rithet Building:

1913 advertisement Budweiser beer, distributed in Victoria by R.P. Rithet & Co., Wharf Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1912 advertisement Budweiser beer, distributed in Victoria by R.P. Rithet & Co., Wharf Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1912 Advertisement For Budweiser Beer, Distributed In Victoria by R.P. Rithet & Co.

In 1912 one of R.P. Rithet & Co. businesses was the wholesale distribution of beer and liquor. R.P. Rithet & Co. was the local Budweiser distributor and it handled this business from the Rithet Building.

1933 advertisement for Dowell's Transfer & Storage Co., based in the Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1933 advertisement for Dowell’s Transfer & Storage Co., based in the Rithet Building, 1117-1125 Wharf Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1933 Advertisement For Dowell’s Transfer & Storage Co.

Dowell’s Transfer & Storage Co. was based in the Rithet Building in the 1930’s

Read More…

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