Downtown Victoria Tour

Herald Street – 500 Block

542-556 Herald Street – the Herald Building

542-556 Herald Street was built in 1913 for Lim Bang and Wong Jan Way.

In 1983 it was renovated into its current use as a mixed use building with commercial space on the main floor and rental apartments on the upper two floors.

542-556 Herald Street, built in 1913 for Lim Bang and Wong Jan Way.

542-556 Herald Street, built in 1913 for Lim Bang and Wong Jan Way.

Here is a map showing the location of 542-556 Herald Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 542-556 Herald Street:

Additional Information About the Herald Building – 542-556 Herald Street

  • Assessed Value (July 2020): $4,223,000; Land $1,727,000 Buildings $2,496,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2019): $4,211,000; Land $1,312,000 Buildings $2,899,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $4,331,000; Land $1,133,000 Buildings $3,198,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $3,500,000; Land $1,185,000 Buildings $2,315,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $3,164,000; Land $1,064,000 Buildings $2,100,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $2,901,000; Land $917,000 Buildings $1,984,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $2,836,000; Land $867,000 Buildings $1,969,000

A Brief History of the Herald Building – 542-556 Herald Street

542-556 Herald Street was built in 1913 for Lim Bang and Wong Jan Way, who rented space to commercial tenants on the main floor while using the upper two floors as a tenement.

The original building permit, issued by the City of Victoria in December 1912 to Lim Bang and Wong Jan Way, describes a “new brick building,” 3 storeys, 40 rooms, ‘purpose: stores’ with an estimated construction cost of $25,000.

Until the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, this area was a largely a warehouse and light industrial district. In 1983, the Herald Building became one of the first existing buildings to reflect the neighbourhood’s change from a warehouse/light industrial area to the present retail, entertainment and residential district when it was renovated into its current use as a mixed use building with commercial space on the main floor and rental apartments on the upper two floors.

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