Downtown Victoria Tour
Government Street – 1800 Block
1802-1826 Government Street
The Lim Dat building at 1802-1826 Government Street runs the entire length of the block of Government Street between Herald Street and Chatham Street. It was built in 1909-10 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins, at an estimated construction cost of $35.000, for Lim Dat, a prominent figure in early 20th century Victoria business and a leading member of Victoria’s Chinese community.
The Lim Dat Building consists of three separate three storey sections, with the center and northern sections each being built at a lower level because of the downward slope of Government Street between Herald Street and Chatham Street.
1802 Government Street, the south section of the Lim Dat building, seen from Herald Street. Built in 1910 for Lim Dat by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins
The south section of the Lim Dat Building, 1800-1810 Government Street
The middle section of the Lim Dat Building, 1810-1820 Government Street
The north section of the Lim Dat Building, 1820-1826 Government Street
Here is a map showing the location of 1802-1826 Government Street:
Here is a Google Street View image of 1802-1826 Government Street:
Additional Information About 1802-1826 Government Street, the Lim Dat Building
- Assessed Value (July 2020): $10,213,000; Land $4,319,000 Buildings $5,894,000
- Assessed Value (July 2019): $10,813,000; Land $3,239,000 Buildings $7,592,000
- Assessed Value (July 2018): $8,483,000; Land $2,872,000 Buildings $5,611,000
- Assessed Value (July 2017): $7,351,000; Land $2,766,000 Buildings $4,585,000
- Assessed Value (July 2016): $6,609,000; Land $2,755,000 Buildings $3,854,000
- Assessed Value (July 2015): $6,187,000; Land $2,375,000 Buildings $3,812,000
- Assessed Value (July 2014): $6,648,000; Land $2,245,000 Buildings $4,403,000
A Brief History of the Lim Dat Building
1909 architectural drawing of the Lim Dat Building, 1802-1826 Government Street, by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins
The Lim Dat Building was designed in 1909 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lim Dat, a prominent figure in Victoria’s Chinese community, and built at an estimated cost of $35,000. In 1908 Lim Dat was also issued the building permit for the Chinese Public School at 636 Fisgard Street.
The Lim Dat Building consists of three separate three storey sections, with the center and northern sections each being built at a lower level because of the downward slope of Government Street between Herald Street and Chatham Street.
Here are links to some historic photos of 1802-1826 Government Street:
- City of Victoria Archives photo M-06955 – circa 1910
- BC Archives photo I-20608 – circa 1946. Photographer: Frank Peters Boucher
Here are links to some newspaper articles about the Lim Dat Building or businesses in the Lim Dat Building:
- Sager’s Closing After 50 Years – Times-Colonist, 20 January 2021
The south section of the Lim Dat Building, 1800-1810 Government Street
The middle section of the Lim Dat Building, 1810-1820 Government Street
The north section of the Lim Dat Building, 1820-1826 Government Street
Here are some other buildings associated with Lim Dat:
Chinese Public School at 636 Fisgard Street, built in 1908 by architect David C. Frame for the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
Chinese Public School, 636 Fisgard Street
Lim Dat, for whom 1802-1826 Government Street was built, also applied for and received the building permit for the Chinese Public School, 636 Fisgard Street, on behalf of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
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