Downtown Victoria Tour

Wharf Street – 1200 Block

1218 Wharf Street

The building at 1218 Wharf Street was built for James Yates as a warehouse, circa 1860, making it one of the oldest extant buildings in Victoria. It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1975.

It is currently divided into one commercial strata unit and two residential strata units. The commercial strata unit is occupied by Shima Village Japanese Restaurant.

1218 Wharf Street. The building was built circa 1860 and is one of the oldest buildings in Victoria.

1218 Wharf Street. The building was built circa 1860 and is one of the oldest buildings in Victoria.

Here is a map showing the location of 1218 Wharf Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 1218 Wharf Street:

Additional Information About 1218 Wharf Street

1218 Wharf Street is currently divided into three strata units, two commercial and one residential.

  • Assessed Value (July 2019) – 1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $970,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018) – 1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $941,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017) – 1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $841,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016) – 1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $826,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015) – 1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $826,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014) – 1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $827,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2019) – A-1218 Wharf Street (residential strata unit): $931,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018) – A-1218 Wharf Street (residential strata unit): $915,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017) – A-1218 Wharf Street (residential strata unit): $849,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016) – A-1218 Wharf Street (residential strata unit): $711,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015) – A-1218 Wharf Street (residential strata unit): $587,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014) – A-1218 Wharf Street (residential strata unit): $574,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2019) – B-1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $542,700
  • Assessed Value (July 2018) – B-1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $527,500
  • Assessed Value (July 2017) – B-1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $469,900
  • Assessed Value (July 2016) – B-1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $464,300
  • Assessed Value (July 2015) – B-1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $434,200
  • Assessed Value (July 2014) – B-1218 Wharf Street (commercial strata unit): $437,500
  • Canadian Register of Historic Places – listed in 1975

A Brief History of 1218 Wharf Street

This building at 1218 Wharf Street was built circa 1860, making it one of the oldest extant buildings in Victoria. It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1975.

It was built for James Yates, a leading landowner and developer in 19th century Victoria. As one indication of James Yates’ importance in early Victoria, Yates Street is named for him. James Yates also built and owned 1244-1252 Wharf Street.

By 1882 this building was occupied by J.P. Davies & Co., auctioneers.

It is currently divided into two commercial strata units and one residential strata (condominium) unit.

Original iron support column on 1218 Wharf Street. The building was built circa 1860 and is one of the oldest buildings in Victoria.

Original iron support column on 1218 Wharf Street. The building was built circa 1860 and is one of the oldest buildings in Victoria.

Like the adjacent building at 1202-1214 Wharf Street, the rear, or west elevation, of 1218 Wharf Street was designed to take advantage of the slope to have three storeys facing the harbour with only one single storey facing Wharf Street.

The west, or rear, harbour facing elevation of 1218 Wharf Street

The west, or rear, harbour facing elevation of 1218 Wharf Street

James Yates, the original owner of 1218 Wharf Street, also owned the adjacent buildings at 1215-1221 Wharf Street and 1244-1252 Wharf Street.

1215-1221 Wharf Street, built in 1891

1215-1221 Wharf Street, built in 1891 for James Yates

1215-1221 Wharf Street

1215-1221 Wharf Street, built in 1891 for James Yates, who also owned 1218 Wharf Street and 1244-1252 Wharf Street.

1244-1252 Yates Street, originally built in 1882 architect John Teague with subsequent additions in 1892 and 1896.

1244-1252 Yates Street, originally built in 1882 architect John Teague for James Yates. Subsequent additions were made in 1892 and 1896.

1244-1252 Yates Street

1244-1252 Yates Street, originally built in 1882 architect John Teague for James Yates. Subsequent additions were made in 1892 and 1896.

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