Downtown Victoria Tour

Government Street – 1200 Block

1221 Government Street – W. & J. Wilson

The W. & J. Wilson Clothiers store at 1221 Government Street is located in a building which likely dates from the 1870’s. W&J Wilson is one of Victoria’s oldest businesses and has been operating at this location since the 1860’s.

Although this building likely dates from the 1870’s, the current facade was designed in 1912 by architect William Ridgway Wilson.

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.

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.

Here is a map showing the location of 1221 Government Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 1221 Government Street:

Additional Information About 1221 Government Street

  • Assessed Value (July 2019): $4,871,000; Land $2,511,000; Buildings $2,360,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $4,254,000; Land $2,245,000; Buildings $2,009,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $3,903,000; Land $2,246,000; Buildings $1,657,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $3,463,000; Land $2,204,000; Buildings $1,259,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $3,325,000; Land $1,900,000; Buildings $1,425,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $3,326,000; Land $1,796,000; Buildings $1,530,000

A Brief History of 1221 Government Street

This building likely dates from the 1870’s but the current facade was designed in 1912 by architect William Ridgway Wilson.

W. & J. Wilson is Victoria’s oldest continually operating business. It was formed in 1862 and has been operating in this location since this building was built in the 1870’s. It was likely operating in an earlier building on this site prior to this building being built in the 1870’s.

Here are some historic photos of the W. & . J. Wilson store at 1221 Government Street:

Here are some Historic Victoria Advertisements for W. & J. Wilson, 1221 Government Street:

1907 advertisement for W. & J. Wilson, 89 Government Street, which is now 1221 Government Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1907 advertisement for W. & J. Wilson, 89 Government Street, which is now 1221 Government Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1907 Advertisement For W. & J. Wilson 

1910 advertisement for W. & J. Wilson, which is still in business at 1221 Government Street in downtown Victoria. (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours Inc. collection)

1910 advertisement for W. & J. Wilson, which is still in business at 1221 Government Street in downtown Victoria. (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours Inc. collection)

1910 Advertisement For W. & J. Wilson, 1221 Government Street

1912 advertisement for W. & J. Wilson, which is still in business at Government Street and Trounce Alley. (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1912 advertisement for W. & J. Wilson, which is still in business at Government Street and Trounce Alley. (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1912 Advertisement for Burberry by W. & J. Wilson

1939 advertisement for W. & J. Wilson, 1221 Government Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1939 advertisement for W. & J. Wilson, 1221 Government Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1939 Advertisement For W. & J. Wilson, 1221 Government Street

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