15 Bastion Square

Downtown Victoria Tour

Bastion Square – Wharf Street

15 Bastion Square / 1129 Wharf Street

This building at 1129 Wharf Street and 15 Bastion Square was originally built in 1862. It was originally a single story building and the second floor was added in 1884-1885.

For most of its history it has been used for warehouses, commercial or light industrial purposes. But since 1972, this building has been occupied by restaurants on the main level and nightclubs on the upper floor.

This building was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Here is a map showing the location of 1129 Wharf Street / 15 Bastion Square:

Here is a Google Street View image of 15 Bastion Square / 1129 Wharf Street:

Additional Information About 1129 Wharf Street and 15 Bastion Square

• Assessed Value (July 2019): $4,377,000; Land $3,534,000 Buildings $843,000
• Assessed Value (July 2018): $2,355,000; Land $1,502,000 Buildings $853,000
• Assessed Value (July 2017): $2,261,000; Land $1,372,000 Buildings $889,000
• Assessed Value (July 2016): $2,128,000; Land $1,186,000 Buildings $942,000
• Assessed Value (July 2015): $2,049,000; Land $1,096,000 Buildings $953,000
• Assessed Value (July 2014): $2,049,000; Land $994,000 Buildings $1,055,000
• Canadian Register of Historic Places

A Brief History of 1129 Wharf Street and 15 Bastion Square

This building was built in 1862 by Joseph Johnson Southgate, who owned it between 1862 and 1905.

It was originally a single story building; the second floor was added in 1884-85.

In 1948, this building was purchased by Victoria firm, Wilson & Proctor Ltd., which operated its engine repair and machine shop business here until 1972.

Wilson & Proctor was started in 1946 – in a garage at 860 Tulip Avenue in Saanich – by Howard Wilson and Bob Proctor. It was incorporated as Wilson & Proctor Ltd. in 1947 and the company bought 1129 Wharf Street – or 1125 Wharf Street as it was then – in 1948. The company moved its operations into 1129 Wharf Street and occupied the building until 1972, when it sold this building and moved to its present location at 808 Devonshire Road.

Wilson & Proctor Ltd. is still in business at 808 Devonshire Road in Victoria and kindly provided us with following photos.

This photo shows 1129 Wharf Street circa 1962. Note that what is now Bastion Square (on the left of the photo) was then Bastion Street, which ran between Wharf Street and Government Street.

1129 Wharf Street as Wilson & Proctor Ltd., circa 1962. Note that Bastion Square had not yet been created; Bastion Street is still visible on the left of this photo. (Photo courtesy of Wilson & Proctor Ltd., used with permission)

The photo below shows 1129 Wharf Street circa 1966, when it owned by Wilson & Proctor Ltd. Note that Bastion Square had just been created – and Bastion Street closed – when this photo was taken.

1129 Wharf Street, circa 1966, when it was owned by Wilson & Proctor Ltd. Note that Bastion Square had just been created from Bastion Street. (photo courtesy of Wilson & Proctor Ltd., used with permission)

The photo below was taken on 26 March 1970 and shows the Wilson & Proctor Ltd. staff outside 1129 Wharf Street. Company founders Howard Wilson and Bob Proctor are second and third from the right. Note that the outside stairs to the second floor of the building were not there in 1970.

The staff of Wilson & Proctor Ltd. in front of 1129 Wharf Street on 26 March 1970. This photo shows company founders Howard Wilson (second from right) and Bob Proctor (third from right). Wilson & Proctor moved from this location in 1972. (Photo courtesy of Wilson & Proctor Ltd., used with permission)

Since 1972, this building has been occupied by nightclubs and restaurants. It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1975.

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