Downtown Victoria Tour

Government Street – 1200 Block
1205 Government Street – Union Bank Building

This six storey building at 1205 Government Street and 612 View Street, at the corner of Government Street and View Street, was built in 1912 by architect A. Arthur Cox for the Union Bank of Canada, which operated its main Victoria branch on the main floor and rented out office space on the upper floors.

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

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.

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.

Here is a map showing the location of 1205 Government Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 1205 Government Street:

Additional Information About 1205 Government Street & 612-618 View Street

  • Assessed Value (July 2019): $11,636,000; Land $2,601,000 Buildings $9,035,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $10,895,000; Land $2,328,000 Buildings $8,567,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $9,862,000; Land $2.463,000 Buildings $7,399,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $9,349,000; Land $2.411,000 Buildings $6,938,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $8,285,000; Land $2.079,000 Buildings $6,206,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $8,189,000; Land $1.964,000 Buildings $6,225,000
  • Canadian Register of Historic Places – formally recognized in 1995, listed in 2005

A Brief History of 1205 Government Street & 612-618 View Street

Here are some links to historic photos of 1205 Government Street:

This six storey building at 1205 Government Street, at the corner of Government Street and View Street, was built in 1912 by architect A. Arthur Cox for the Union Bank of Canada, which operated its downtown Victoria branch here until the Union Bank of Canada was taken over by the Royal Bank of Canada in 1925.

This building was owned by the Royal Bank and by the Royal Trust Company for most of its history. The Royal Trust Company operated a branch on the main floor and rented office space on the upper floors.

1205 Government Street was formally recognized by the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1995 and listed in 2005 as the Union Bank.

It is now an office building with retail space on the main floor.

The Union Bank of Canada no longer exists but its corporate logo is still in place at the Government Street entrance to the building:

The Union Bank of Canada no longer exists but its sign and corporate coat of arms is still in place on 1205 Government Street

The Union Bank of Canada no longer exists but its sign and corporate coat of arms is still in place on 1205 Government Street

The Union Bank of Canada no longer exists but its logo is still in place on 1205 Government Street

The Union Bank of Canada no longer exists but its logo is still in place on 1205 Government Street

Here are some other downtown Victoria buildings designed by architect Alfred A. Cox:

731 Fort Street (right) and 737 Fort Street (left) Fort Street (photo: Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

731 Fort Street (right) and 737 Fort Street (left) Fort Street (photo: Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

737 Fort Street

Designed by architect Alfred A. Cox in 1912 for the British American Trust Co.

ScotiaBank at 702 Yates Street, built in 1923 with additions in 1963.

ScotiaBank at 702 Yates Street, built in 1923 with additions in 1963.

ScotiaBank, 702 Yates Street

ScotiaBank at 702 Yates Street, built in 1923 by architect Alfred A. Cox, with additions in 1963

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