Downtown Victoria Tour

Herald Street – 600 Block

658-666 Herald Street – Hook Sin Tong Charity Building

This landmark Heritage Building was built in 1911-1912 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for the Hook Sin Tong Charity, an association formed by Chinese immigrants from Chung San province in southern China.

This building was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1992.

658-666 Herald Street, built in 1911 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for the Hook Sin Tong Charity.

658-666 Herald Street, built in 1911 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for the Hook Sin Tong Charity.

The original building permit, issued to Hook Sin Tong by the City of Victoria in October 1911, describes a “new brick building, 3 storey, 17 rooms. Purpose: stores” with an estimated construction cost of $23,000.

The building is still owned by the Hook Sin Tong Charity, which rents out retail space on the street level as well as space on the upper floors.

Here is a map showing the location of the Hook Sin Tong Charity Building:

Here is a Google Street View image of the Hook Sin Tong Charity building, 658-666 Herald Street:

Additional Information About The Hook Sin Tong Charity, 658-666 Herald Street

  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $3,113,500; Land $2,052,000 Buildings $1,061,500
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $2,792,900; Land $1,684,000 Buildings $1,108,900
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $2,203,900; Land $1,132,800 Buildings $1,071,100
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $2,046,400; Land $1,505,700 Buildings $940,700
  • Canadian Register of Historic Places – listed in 1992

A Brief History of the Hook Sin Tong Charity Building, 658-666 Herald Street

This landmark building was built in 1911-1912 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for the Hook Sin Tong Charity, an association formed by Chinese immigrants from Chung San province in southern China.

The original building permit, issued to “Hook Sin Tong” by the City of Victoria in October 1911, describes a “new brick building, 3 storey, 17 rooms. Purpose: stores” with an estimated construction cost of $23,000.

The building is still owned by the Hook Sin Tong Charity, which rents out retail space on the street level as well as space on the upper floors.

It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places as the Hook Sin Tong Charity Building.

Here are links to some historic photographs of the Hook Sin Tong Building:

The photos below show some additional features of the Hook Sin Tong Charity Building.

Recessed balconies on upper floors, like this one on the Hook Sin Tong Charity Building, were a common architectural feature of Chinese association buildings in late 19th and early 20th Victoria.

Recessed balconies on upper floors, like this one on the Hook Sin Tong Charity Building, were a common architectural feature of Chinese association buildings in late 19th and early 20th Victoria.

These balconies on the rear of the Hook Sin Tong Charity building, 658-666 Herald Street appear to original features from the building's construction in 1911.

These balconies on the rear of the Hook Sin Tong Charity building, 658-666 Herald Street appear to original features from the building’s construction in 1911.

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.

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