Belleville Street intersects

Government Street – 700 block

The Empress Hotel – 721 Government Street

The Empress Hotel is one of Victoria’s ;leading landmarks.

It was originally built between 1904 and 1908 by architect Francis Rattenbury for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

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The Government Street elevation of the Empress Hotel (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)
The Empress Hotel and the Causeway, seen from the Steamship Terminal on Belleville Street

Inner Harbour Causeway – 700 Government Street

The Inner Harbour Causeway was originally built between 1903-1904 as a coffer dam between the Inner Harbour and James Bay, a tidal inlet where the Empress Hotel stands now. Once the coffer dam was in place, James Bay was filled in and the Empress Hotel was built on the reclaimed land.

The Inner Harbour Causeway is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

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The Tourism Victoria Visitor Centre, 812 Wharf Street. This Art Deco building was originally built in 1931 by Imperial Oil as a service station. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

812 Wharf Street – Tourism Victoria Information Centre

The building was originally built in 1931 as an Imperial Oil service station. It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1986.

It is now the Tourism Victoria Information Centre.

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Humboldt Street intersects on the East – Wharf Street intersects on the West

Government Street – 800 Block

809-817 Government Street – Metropolitan Building

The Metropolitan Building was built in 1903 for Joseph and Louis Rostein.

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

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The Metropolitan Building, 809-817 Government Street, built in 1903 for Joseph and Lewis Rostein (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

Courtney Street intersects

Government Street – 900 Block

901-905 Government Street

This is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Victoria. It was built in 1858 as the Windsor Hotel.

It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995.

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901-905 Government Street. Built in 1858 for George Richardson as the first brick hotel in Victoria. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

907 Government Street

This building was built circa 1908 and was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995.

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907 Government Street, built circa 1908 (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

909 Government Street

This building is one of three adjacent historic structures (also see 911 Government Street and 913 Government Street) built in 1903 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins.

Along with the adjacent building at 911 Government Street, it was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995.

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909 Government Street, designed by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins. Built in 1903. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

911 Government Street

This building is one of three adjacent historic structures (also see 909 Government Street and 913 Government Street) built in 1903 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins.

Along with the adjacent building at 909 Government Street, it was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995.

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911 Government Street, designed by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins. Built in 1903. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

913 Government Street – Rogers Chocolates

This building is one of three adjacent historic structures (also see 909 Government Street and 911 Government Street) built in 1903 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins.

It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1975. It has also been declared a the Rogers Building National Historic Site of Canada.

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913 Government Street, designed by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins. Built in 1903. Now occupied by Rogers Chocolates (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

921 Government Street – the Weiler Building

The Weiler Building was built in 1899 for Weiler Brothers, Victoria’s first downtown department store.

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

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The Weiler Building, 921 Government Street was built in 1899 as the Weiler Brothers department store. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

Broughton Street intersects

Government Street – 1000 block

The Vernon Block, 1000-1002 Government Street, built in 1900 by architect Thomas Hooper for Charles Vernon (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1000-1002 Government StreetVernon Block

This landmark building was built in 1899 by architect Thomas Hooper for Charles Vernon.

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

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1001-1005 Government Street – the Hamley Building

The Hamley Building was built in 1885 for Wymond Hamley,

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

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The Hamley Building, 1001-1005 Government Street and 602 Broughton Street. Built in 1885. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)
The Promis Block, 1006-1010 Government Street, built in 1905 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Oscar Promis of the Promis Estate Company, San Jose, California (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1006-1010 Government Street – the Promis Block

The Promis Block was built in 1905 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Oscar Promis of the Promis Estate Co., San Jose, California.

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

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1009-1013 Government Street – the Greenwood Building.

This building was built in 1885.

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

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1009-1013 Government Street, the Greenwood Building, built in 1884 (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)
1012-1014 Government Street, built in 1890 (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1012-1014 Government Street

This building was originally built in 1890 as a store and photography studio for Joseph Sommers.

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1017-1021 Government Street – the Galpin Block

This building was built in 1884 for British investor Thomas Galpin.

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The Galpin Block, 1017-1021 Government Street. Built in 1884 for Thomas Galpin (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)
The Bank of British Columbia building, 1022 Government Street (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1022 Government Street

This building was originally built in 1885 by Portland, Oregon architect Warren H. Williams (who also designed Craigdarroch Castle) for the Bank of B.C.

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

Poet Robert Service (1874-1958) worked here briefly as a bank teller before being transferred to the Yukon, where he published his first book of poetry.

It is now the Bard & Banker Pub.

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Fort Street intersects

Government Street – 1100 block

The Southgate-Laschelles Building, 1102 Government Street/530 Fort Street, built circa 1869 for J.J. Southgate and H.D. Laschelles (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1102 Government StreetSouthgate & Laschelles Building

This building was built circa 1869, possibly by architect Richard Lewis, for John J. Southgate and H.D. Lascelles.

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

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The Bay Centre – 1125 Government Street

The Bay Centre (originally the Eaton Centre) was built in 1989. It is downtown Victoria’s largest indoor shopping mall.

It extends two blocks east to Douglas Street and is bordered by View Street on the north and Fort Street on the south.

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The Bay Centre, 1125 Government Street (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)
Munro's Books, 1108 Government Street (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1008 Government Street – Munro’s Books

This building was built in 1909-1910 by architect Thomas Hooper for the Royal Bank of Canada, which used it as a bank branch until the 1980’s.

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

It was converted into Munro’s Books in 1985.

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The Mahon Building was built in 1907 by architect William Ridgway Wilson for Vancouver real estate investor Edward Mahon. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1110-1112 Government Street – the Mahon Building

The Mahon Building was built in 1907 by architect William Ridgway Wilson for Vancouver real estate investor Edward Mahon.

It is now Murchies Tea & Coffee

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E.A. Morris Tobacconist, 1116 Government Street. This building was originally built in 1882 and the present facade was designed by architect Thomas Hooper in 1909. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1116 Government Street – E.A. Morris Tobacconist

This building was originally built in 1882 but the current facade was designed in 1909 by architect Thomas Hooper.

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

E.A. Morris Tobacconists has been in business here since 1909.

The interior is an excellent example of an Edwardian shop interior.

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The Bedford Regency Hotel, 1140 Government Street, is in a building that was originally built by architect Thomas Hooper in 1910 for Hibben-Bone Stationers (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1130-1140 Government Street – the Bedford Regency Hotel

This building was originally built in 1912 by architect Thomas Hooper for the Hibben-Bone Stationers, who used for their store while renting out office space to tenants on the upper floors.

It has been a hotel since the 1930’s, first as the Churchill Hotel and now as the Bedford Regency Hotel.

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1150 Government Street, now the Garrick's Head Pub, was originally built in 1878. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1150 Government Street – the Garricks Head Pub

This building was originally built in 1878 and appears to have been operating as the Garricks Head Saloon in the 1890’s.

The building has had many uses over the years but is now occupied by the Garrick’s Head Pub, which has taken its name from the Garrick’s Head Saloon which operated here over a century ago.

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Bastion Square intersects – View Street intersects

Government Street – 1200 block

1200 Government Street, built in 1897 for the Bank of Montreal by architect Francis Rattenbury. It is now the Irish Times Pub. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1200 Government Street – Irish Times Pub

This building was built in 1897 by architect Francis Rattenbury for the Bank of Montreal, which used it as its downtown main branch until the 1920’s when the Bank of Montreal moved its main branch to 1225 Douglas Street.

This building remained a Bank fo Montreal branch until the 1980’s when it was converted to retail use.

It is now the Irish Times Pub.

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1205 Government Street and 612-618 View Street – Union Bank of Canada building

Built in 1912 by architect A.Arthur Cox for the Union Bank of Canada.

It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places as the Union Bank.

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The Union Bank of Canada building, 1205 Government Street and 612-618 View Street. Built in 1912 by architect A.Arthur Cox for the Union Bank of Canada. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

Trounce Alley intersects

Trounce Alley intersects on the east side of Government Street.

1221 Government Street – W & J Wilson Clothiers

W&J Wilson Clothiers is one of Victoria’s oldest operating businesses and has been operating at this location since the 1870’s.

The current facade of the building was designed in 1912 by architect William Ridgway Wilson.

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1221 Government Street. The current facade was designed in 1912 by architect William Ridgway Wilson for W & J Wilson, one of Victoria's oldest businesses. The building likely dates from the 1870's. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)
The Federal Building, 1230 Government Street, built in 1948-1952 by architects Percy Leonard James and Douglas James for the Government of Canada. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1230 Government Street – the Federal Building

The Federal Building was built between 1948-1952 by architects Percy Leonard James and Douglas James.

The main floor was originally designed as the main downtown Victoria location for the Post Office but it has now been converted to retail and commercial use.

The upper floors are still federal government offices.

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1223-1233 Government Street

This commercial building was likely built in the late 19th century.

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This commercial building at 1223-1233 Government Street was likely built in the late 19th century. It is currently home to Roots (1227 Government) and Sasquatch Trading (1233 Government) (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1239-1241 Government Street

This building was built circa 1871, or earlier, making it one of the oldest buildings on Government Street.

It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

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1239-1241 Government Street was circa 1871, making it one of the oldest buildings on Government Street. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

Yates Street intersects

Government Street – 1300 Block

1300 Government Street, the Adelphi Building, built in 1891. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1300-1304 Government Street – Adelphi Building

The Adelphi Building was built in 1891, possibly by architect Thomas Hooper.

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

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1301 Government Street

This building was built in 1946 by architects David C. Frame and Douglas James for the Imperial Bank of Canada. It replaced an earlier Imperial Bank of Canada building which had stood here since the 1890’s.

The main floor is now a Starbucks.

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1301 Government Street. Designed in 1946 by architects David C. Frame and Douglas James for the Imperial Bank of Canada (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)
1306 Government Street (left), built in 1902 and 1308-1310 Government Street (right), built in 1900 by architect Thomas Hooper for Dr. F.W. Hall

1306 Government Street

This building was originally built in 1902 as the Palace Saloon.

It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995 under the name Palace Cigar Store.

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1312-1314 Government Street. Built in 1892 by architect John Teague as the New England Hotel. It was renovated into condominiums in 2013. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1312-1314 Government Street

This building was built in 1892 by architect John Teague for the New England Hotel.

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

In 2013 it was renovated to a mixed use commercial/residential strata building.

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This building was originally built in 1879 by architect John Teague for R.J. Russell. The southern portion was added in 1888. It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1316-1328 Government Street – the Russell Building

This building was originally built in 1879 by architect John Teague for R.J. Russell. The southern portion was added in 1888.

It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995.

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Johnson Street intersects

Government Street – 1400 block

1401 Government Street – the E.G. Prior Building

The Prior Building was built in 1888 by architect Leonard Buttress Trimen for Edward G. Prior, who used it for his hardware and farm equipment business, E.G. Prior Ltd.

The Prior Building was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 2003.

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The E.G. Prior Building, 1401 Government Street & 606-614 Johnson Street, built in 1888 for the E.G. Prior & Co. hardware store. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1407 Government Street

1407 Government Street was built in 1889 as a warehouse for the Brackman-Ker Milling Co., which used until 1907, when Brackman’Ker moved to a new building at 1420 Broad Street.

This building is now a mixed use commercial/residential strata.

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1407 Government Street (right), built in 1889, and 1411 Government Street (left), built in 1891.

1411 Government Street

1411 Government Street was built in 1891 as a store for George Powell & Son, a hardware business.

It is now a mixed use commercial/residential strata building.

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1411 Government Street was built in 1891 as a store for George Powell & Son, a hardware business. It is now a mixed use commercial/residential strata building. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1413-1421 Government Street – Plaza Hotel

This building was built in 1909 by architect H.S. Griffith for the Westholme Lumber Co., which used it as the Westholme Hotel.

It was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995 under the name Westholme Hotel.

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1413-1421 Government Street, built in 1910 as the Westholme Hotel. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

Pandora Avenue intersects

Government Street – 1600 block

1600 Government Street, originally built in 1913 as the Kinemacolour Theatre. It is now residential and commercial condominiums. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1600 Government Street / 588 Pandora Avenue

Built in 1913 by architects W. D’Orly Rochefort and E.W. Sankey for the Island Amusement Company, which used it as the KinemaColour Theatre.

It later became the Victoria Ballroom and subsequently the Victoria Old Age Pensioners Association Hall.

It is now converted into residential and commercial strata (condominium) units.

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MacPherson Playhouse

Originally designed and built in 1914 by architect Jesse Warren as an office building, it opened instead as the Pantages Theatre.

It operated as a theatre under various names until the 1960’s, when it was bequeathed to the City of Victoria by owner Thomas S. McPherson.

It is now operated as the McPherson Playhouse. The building is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

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The Lee Block was built in 1910 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Ching and Lee Wong. It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places as the Lee Block. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1618-1628 Government Street / 565 Fisgard Street – Lee Block

The Lee Block was built in 1910 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for  Lee Ching and Lee Wong.

It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places as the Lee Block.

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Fisgard Street intersects

Government Street – 1700 Block

1713 Government Street – Yen Wo Society

Built in 1912 by architect Leonard W. Hargreaves for the Yen Wo Society, which still owns the building.

It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places as the Yen Wo Society Building.

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, 1713 Government Street, built in 1912 by architect Leonard W. Hargreaves for the Yen Wo Society, which still owns the building. It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places as the Yen Wo Society Building. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1715-1717 Government Street – Chinese Empire Reform Association / Lung Kong Kung Shaw

1715-1717 Government Street was built in 1905 for the Chinese Empire Reform Association.

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Herald Street intersects

Government Street – 1800 Block

1802-1826 Government Street was built in 1910 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lim Dat. (photo by Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1802-1826 Government Street – Lim Dat Building

1802-1826 Government Street was built in 1910 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Lim Dat.

The building still follows the original design of commercial space at street level with residential space on the upper floors.

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