Downtown Victoria Tour

Johnson Street600 Block

618-624 Johnson Street / 1400-1402 Broad Street

This commercial building at 618-624 Johnson Street and 1400-1402 Broad Street was built in 1909 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Cheong, Lee Woy and Lee Yan Yow, three prominent real estate investors from Victoria’s Chinese community.

The main occupant is Island Collateral & Sales, Victoria’s oldest pawnshop, which has been in this building since 1970.

618-624 Johnson Street/1400-1402 Broad Street, built in 1909 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Cheong, Lee Woy and Lee Yan Yow.

618-624 Johnson Street/1400-1402 Broad Street, built in 1909 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Cheong, Lee Woy and Lee Yan Yow.

Here is a map showing the location of 618-624 Johnson Street / 1400-1402 Broad Street:

Here is a Google Maps image of 618-624 Broad Street / 1400-1402 Broad Street:

Additional Information About 618-624 Johnson Street/1400-1402 Broad Street

  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $2,319,000; Land $1,066,000 Buildings $1,253,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $1,724,000; Land $1,054,000 Buildings $670,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $1,475,000; Land $1,001,000 Buildings $474,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $1,395,000; Land $863,000 Buildings $532,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $1,391,000; Land $816,000 Buildings $575,000

A Brief History of 618-624 Johnson Street/1400-1402 Broad Street

This commercial building at 618-624 Johnson Street and 1400-1402 Broad Street was built in 1909 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Cheong, Lee Woy and Lee Yan Yow, three prominent real estate investors from Victoria’s Chinese community.

Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins were favoured architects among Victoria’s late 19th and early 20th century Chinese community. They received several other commissions from the Lee’s, including the Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street, 557-561 Fisgard Street and the Lee’s Benevolent Association Building, 612-614 Fisgard Street.

This building has always been a commercial building, with retail stores on the main level and office space on the upper floor.

The main occupant is Island Collateral & Sales, Victoria’s oldest pawnshop, which has been in this building since 1970.

Here are links to some historic photographs of 618-624 Johnson Street/1400-1402 Broad Street:

Here are some other downtown Victoria buildings associated with the Lee Cheong, Lee Woy, Lee Yan Yow and with architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins:

557-561 Fisgard Street, built in 1908 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Woy. It is now used by the Chinese Freemasons.

557-561 Fisgard Street, built in 1908 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Woy. It is now used by the Chinese Freemasons.

557-561 Fisgard Street

557-561 Fisgard Street, built in 1908 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Woy.

It is now used by the Chinese Freemasons.

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The Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street. Built in 1910 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Chong and Lee Wong. The Gate of Harmonious Interest is on the right.

The Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street. Built in 1910 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Chong and Lee Wong. The Gate of Harmonious Interest is on the right.

1618-1628 Government Street

The Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street. Built in 1910 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Chong and Lee Wong

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The Shon Yee Benevolent Association at 612 Fisgard Street and the Lee's Benevolent Association at 614 Fisgard Street. Designed by architect C. Elwood Watkins in 1910.

The Shon Yee Benevolent Association at 612 Fisgard Street and the Lee’s Benevolent Association at 614 Fisgard Street. Designed by architect C. Elwood Watkins in 1910.

612 Fisgard Street and 614 Fisgard Street

The Shon Yee Benevolent Association at 612 Fisgard Street and the Lee’s Benevolent Association at 614 Fisgard Street were designed by architect C. Elwood Watkins in 1910

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