Downtown Victoria Tour

Yates Street – 700 Block

721 Yates Street

721 Yates Street was originally designed in 1909 by architect George Charles Mesher as a commercial building for the Victoria Building Company but was sold during construction and converted into a hotel on the upper floors with the main floor at street level divided into retail space. It was operated as the Portland Hotel.

This building is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places under the name Portland Hotel.

It is now called The Churchill and is presently configured as commercial space on the main floor with apartments on the upper floors.

721-725 Yates Street, built in 1909 and opened as the Portland Hotel (photo: Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

721-725 Yates Street, built in 1909 and opened as the Portland Hotel (photo: Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

Here is a map showing the location of 721 Yates Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 721 Yates Street:

Additional Information About 721 Yates Street

721 Yates Street is legally consolidated with the adjacent Finch Building at 719 Yates Street.

  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $9,732,000; Land $8,391,000 Buildings $1,341,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $8,428,000; Land $7,080,000 Buildings $1,348,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $7,638,000; Land $6,282,000 Buildings $1,356,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $7,055,000; Land $5,757,000 Buildings $1,298,000
  • Canadian Register of Historic Places

A Brief History of 721 Yates Street

Coming soon.

721 Yates Street was built in 1909 by architect George Charles Mesher for the Victoria Building Company. The original building permit, issued to the Victoria Building Co. by the City of Victoria in February 1909, describes a “new brick building, 4 storey, 44 rooms. Purpose: stores” with an estimated construction cost of $20,000.

Here are links to some historic photographs of 721 Yates Street:

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