Downtown Victoria Tour

Broad Street – 1200 Block

1210-1216 Broad Street / 614-620 Trounce Alley

This Heritage Building at 1210-1216 Broad Street and 614-620 Trounce Alley was built in 1889 by architect Thomas Trounce (for whom Trounce Alley is named) for a banker named Alexander A. Green. It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places as the Green Block.

The Green Building, aka the Exchange Building, 1210-1216 Broad Street

The Green Building, aka the Exchange Building, 1210-1216 Broad Street. Built by architect Thomas Trounce.

Here is a map showing the location of 1210-1216 Broad Street:

Here is a Google Street View image  of 1210-1216 Broad Street:

Additional Information About 1210-1216 Broad Street

  • Assessed Value (July 2019): $4,257,000; Land $1,973,000 Buildings $2,284,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $3,848,000; Land $1,746,000 Buildings $2,102,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $3,540,000; Land $1,739,000 Buildings $1,801,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $3,136,000; Land $1,722,000 Buildings $1,414,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $2,989,000; Land $1,485,000 Buildings $1,504,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $2,989,000; Land $1,403,000 Buildings $1,586,000
  • Canadian Register of Historic Places

A Brief History of 1210-1216 Broad Street

This Heritage Building at 1210-1216 Broad Street and 614-620 Trounce Alley was built in 1889 by architect Thomas Trounce (for whom Trounce Alley is named) for a banker named Alexander A. Green.

Thomas Trounce and Alexander Green were both Freemasons, members of Victoria-Columbia Lodge, No.1, which met, and still meets, at the Victoria Masonic Temple, 650 Fisgard Street. Alexander Green’s house, Gyypswyck, on Moss Street, was built by another member of Victoria-Columbia Lodge, No.1, George Mesher Sr., whose son, George Charles Mesher, also a member of Victoria-Columbia Lodge, No.1, became a leading architect in early 20th century Victoria. Alexander Green‘s house, Gyypswyck, is now the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

Thomas Trounce also built a second building on the opposite side of Trounce Alley which was a mirror image of this building. The second building burned down in 1909 and the Central Building, which now stands on the site, was built on the site in 1911.

This building has had an interesting history.  It was home to the Y.M.C.A. between 1889 until about 1910. It was also used as Victoria’s first telephone exchange by Robert Burns McMicking and Edgar Crow Baker., who, like Alexander A. Green, were also Freemasons. Both Robert Burns McMicking and Edgar Crow Baker had been Grand Masters of the Masonic Grand Lodge of B.C.

It became Victoria’s Stock Exchange between 1928 and 1930, which has led architectural historians to refer to this building as either the Green Block or the Exchange Building.

Here are links to some historic photos of the Green Block/Exchange Building:

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

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, main entrance, 1040 Moss Street. (photo: Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, main entrance, 1040 Moss Street. (photo: Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours)

1040 Mass Street – Art Gallery Of Greater Victoria 

1040 Moss Street is now the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria but it was originally the home of Alexander A. Green, who built 1210 – 1216 Broad Street

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