Victoria City Tour
Rockland Avenue

1715 Rockland Avenue – Hochelaga

1715 Rockland Avenue was designed in 1892 by architects John Charles Malcolm Keith and Cecil Evers (1866-1936) for the Bank of Montreal, which used it as the residence for the bank’s Victoria manager. The Bank of Montreal named the house Hochelaga, a native word for the site of the City of Montreal.

At the time this house was built in 1892-93, the Bank of Montreal branch in Victoria was at 1200 Government Street (at the intersection of Government Street and Bastion Street) and the branch manager was Archibald J.C. Galletly (1848-1914), whose name has often been associated with this house by architectural historians. Archibald Galletly also commissioned architect Francis Rattenbury to build the nearby house at 1737 Rockland Avenue in 1902.

1715 Rockland Avenue was Heritage Designated in 1986. It is now divided into 6 condominium units.

1715 Rockland Avenue, designed for the Bank of Montreal in 1893 by John C.M. Keith and Cecil Evers.

1715 Rockland Avenue, designed for the Bank of Montreal in 1892 by John C.M. Keith and Cecil Evers.

Here is a map showing the location of 1715 Rockland Avenue:

Here is a Google Street View image of 1715 Rockland Avenue:

Additional Information About 1715 Rockland Avenue

  • Assessed Value (July 2019): Six condominium units ranging from $509,300 to $665,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018): Six condominium units ranging from $502,300 to $655,800
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): Six condominium units ranging from $469,300 to $612,800
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): Six condominium units ranging from $392,300 to $446,800
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): Six condominium units ranging from $377,300 to $277,500
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): Six condominium units ranging from $366,600 to $270,000
  • Victoria Heritage Foundation
  • Victoria Hallmark Society

A Brief History of 1715 Rockland Avenue

1715 Rockland Avenue was designed for the Bank of Montreal in 1892 by architects John Charles Malcolm Keith and Cecil Evers. It was built in 1892-93. At the time, it was customary for wealthy Victorians to name their houses. The Bank of Montreal named this house Hochelaga, a native word for the site of the City of Montreal.

The Bank of Montreal intended this house to be the residence for the manager of its Victoria branch at 1200 Government Street. The first Bank of Montreal manager to live here was Archibald Galletly (1848-1914), who lived here 1892 to 1912. In 1905, during his residence here, he also commissioned architect Francis Rattenbury to build 1737 Rockland Avenue, two lots north east of this building, which Archibald Galletly built for his sister.

Here are links to some historic photographs of Archibald Galletly:

1715 Rockland Avenue, south facing facade

1715 Rockland Avenue, south facing facade

In 1913, the Bank of Montreal commissioned architect Alfred Arthur Cox to design a two storey, three bedroom addition at a cost of $3,000. At the same time Alfred Cox also designed an addition to the Bank of Montreal’s main downtown branch at 1200 Government Street. The building contractor on both these Alfred Cox additions for the Bank of Montreal in 1913 was the Westholme Lumber Company, which also built 1413-1421 Government Street in 1910.

The Bank of Montreal used this house as its Victoria managers’ residence until 1934, when the Bank of Montreal either sold it or left it vacant. It appears to have been left vacant until 1938.

Between 1941 and approximately 1965 it was owned by Warren Hilton (1874-1958) and Adelle Petronella Hilton (nee Nelson: 1893-1983). Warren Hilton wrote several books about applied psychology, many of which are still in print.

1715 Rockland Avenue is now divided into 6 condominium units.

For more historical information on 1715 Rockland Avenue:

Here are links to some historic photographs of 1715 Rockland Avenue:

1200 Government Street, built in 1897 for the Bank of Montreal by architect Francis Rattenbury.

1200 Government Street, built in 1897 for the Bank of Montreal by architect Francis Rattenbury.

1200 Government Street

1200 Government Street was built in 1897 by architect Francis Rattenbury for the Bank of Montreal, which used it as it main downtown Victoria branch.

The Bank of Montreal’s Victoria manager lived at 1715 Rockland Avenue, which was then owned by the Bank of Montreal.

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