Downtown Victoria Tour

Government Street – 1100 Block

1110-1112 Government Street – the Mahon Building

The Mahon Building at 1110-1112 Government Street was built in 1907 by architect William Ridgway Wilson for Edward Mahon, a partner in the Vancouver investment firm of Mahon, McFarland & Mahon.

It is currently best known as the location of Murchie’s Tea & Coffee at 1110 Government Street.

The Mahon Building, 1110-1112 Government Street, built in 1908 by architect William Ridgway Wilson

The Mahon Building, 1110-1112 Government Street, built in 1908 by architect William Ridgway Wilson

Here’s a map showing the location of 1110-1112 Government Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 1110-1112 Government Street:

The Mahon Building, 1110-1112 Government Street. Built in 1907. Now best known as Murchie's Tea & Coffee

The Mahon Building, 1110-1112 Government Street. Built in 1907. Now best known as Murchie’s Tea & Coffee

Additional Information About 1110-1112 Government Street:

  • Assessed Value (July 2019): $7,390,000; Land $2,372,000, Buildings $5,018,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $5,366,000; Land $2,111,000, Buildings $3,255,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $5,018,000; Land $2,234,000, Buildings $2,784,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $4,661,000; Land $2,124,000, Buildings $2,537,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $4,428,000; Land $1,831,000, Buildings $2,597,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $4,411,000; Land $1,730,000, Buildings $2,681,000
  • Victoria Hallmark Society

A Brief History of the Mahon Building, 1110-1112 Government Street

The Mahon Building at 1110-1112 Government Street was built in 1907 by architect William Ridgway Wilson for Edward Mahon, a partner in the Vancouver investment firm of Mahon, McFarland & Mahon.

It was built on the site of a previous building, the Sehl Block, which was severely damaged in a fire. The former Sehl Block building was demolished with the exception of the north and south walls, which were incorporated into the Mahon Building. Construction costs were estimated at $35,000.

Like the Sehl Block it replaced, the Mahon Building extends the full width of the block between Government Street and Langley Street. The original plans for the Mahan Block called for the Government Street frontage to be divided into two stores, while the main floor on the Langley Street side was to be lawyers’ offices, which made sense since the B.C. Provincial Court was then located one block west on Langley Street at 28 Bastion Square. The rest of the building was to be offices.

Edward Mahon, the original owner, said a third storey could be added to the building if demand for office space warranted a third storey addition. That never happened.

The Mahon Building has been stores and offices since 1907. It is currently best known as the Victoria location of Murchie’s Tea & Coffee.

Here are links to some historic photographs of 1110-1112 Government Street:

The Mahon Building extends the full width of the block between Government Street and Langley Street. It has a full length frontage on Langley Street.

The Langley Street facade of the Mahon Building, 1110-1112 Government Street

The Langley Street facade of the Mahon Building, 1110-1112 Government Street

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