1313 Douglas Street – Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Downtown Victoria Tour

Douglas Street – 1300 Block

1313 Douglas Street – Independent Order of Odd Fellows

This building was designed in 1879 by architect John Teague as a lodge building for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.). The previous I.O.O.F. lodge building had been at 1101 Wharf Street/500-502 Fort Street.

The I.O.O.F.  still owns this building and the adjacent building at 1319-1329 Douglas Street. It rents out commercial space on the main floor while using the second floor for its office and meeting rooms.

The Douglas Street facade of this building looks a lot different than the original John Teague design. In the 1940’s, the City of Victoria was concerned about the stability of the building facade and compelled the I.O.O.F. to build the current facade.

Additional Information About 1313 Douglas Street

This building is now legally consolidated with the adjacent building at 1319-1329 Douglas Street. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows owns both buildings.

• Assessed Value (July 2019): $4,679,000; Land $2,328,000 Buildings $2,351,000
• Assessed Value (July 2018): $4,302,000; Land $2,172,000 Buildings $2,130,000
• Assessed Value (July 2017): $3,759,000; Land $1,893,000 Buildings $1,866,000
• Assessed Value (July 2016): $3,301,000; Land $1,800,000 Buildings $1,501,000
• Assessed Value (July 2015): $3,136,000; Land $1,552,000 Buildings $1,584,000
• Assessed Value (July 2014): $3,134,000; Land $1,466,000 Buildings $1,668,000

A Brief History of 1313 Douglas Street

Here are links to some historic photos of 1313 Douglas Street:

• BC Archives photo  NA-40855 – Laying the cornerstone of the I.O.O.F. hall, 1879
• City of Victoria Archives photo M07454– 28 April 1879
• BC Archives photo D-07087 – 1319-1329 Douglas Street, circa 1892. Photographer: Maynard
• City of Victoria Archives photo M07251 – I.O.O.F. convention delegates in front of 1313 Douglas Street, 1914. The architectural details on the building have since been covered over or removed.
• City of Victoria Archives photo M07252 – I.O.O.F. convention delegates in front of 1313 Douglas Street, 1914.
• BC Archives photo B-03705 – Douglas Street looking north from Yates, circa 1920
• BC Archives photo I-02182 – circa 1940, prior to the current facade alteration. (Photographer: Duncan MacPhail)
• City of Victoria Archives photo M00621 – interior, circa 1970

This building was designed by architect John Teague as a lodge building for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.). The previous I.O.O.F. lodge building had been at 1101 Wharf Street/500-502 Fort Street.

Like many 19th and early 20th century buildings built for fraternal organizations, 1313 Douglas Street featured retail stores on the main level with space for the fraternal organizations offices and meeting rooms on the upper floors.

It has followed that design since it was built in 1879. The main floor of this building has always been rented out to retail stores and other businesses while the upper floor is used by the I.O.O.F.

In the 1940’s the City of Victoria decided that the original facade of the building was unsafe and compelled the I.O.O.F. to alter the facade from the original John Teague design to the current facade.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows also owns the adjacent building at 1319-1329 Douglas Street.

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