550-554 Yates Street – originally the Oriental Hotel

550-554 Yates Street, originally built in 1883 as the Oriental Hotel

Here is a map showing the location of 550-554 Yates Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 550-554 Yates Street:

Additional Information About 550-554 Yates Street

• 550 Yates Street is a commercial strata unit. It sold on 8 September 2015 for $669,000.
• Assessed Value (July 2020): $550,000; (July 2019): $481,000
• Assessed Value (July 2017): $432,000; (July 2016): $424,000
• 554 Yates Street is a commercial strata unit.
• Assessed Value (July 2020): $879,000; (July 2016): $767,000
• Assessed Value (July 2017): $690,000; (July 2016): $677,000
• Canadian Register of Historic Places

A Brief History of 550-554 Yates Street

This eastern portion of this building was built as the Oriental Hotel in 1883 and the western portion was added in 1888. The architect for both portions of the building was John Teague.

The Daily Colonist reported the original 1883 building as:

“William McKeon [note: the original owner] – The new Oriental Hotel on Yates Street. This is a brick hotel of three stories with thirty feet frontage and one hundred and twenty-two feet deep. The front is supported on arches resting on an iron column, and bay windows run through the upper two stories. On the ground floor are ladies’ and gentlemen’s dining saloons, in rear of which is a commodious kitchen furnished with one of Hill’s ranges, broiler etc. Further back still is a bake house furnished with oven etc, also storerooms, pantrys, etc. On the upper two flats there are about forty bedrooms, each furnished with a fire place and closets. The house is fitted with water and gas, and will be handsomely furnished. The front is surmounted by a handsome pediment and flagpole, and ts general design is light and effective. Architect, Mr. John Teague, carpenter work, Smith & Clark, mason and plaster work, H, Carroll, cut stone, Mr. Phillips, plumbing, Stewart & Braden, painting and glazing, Lettice & Sears, iron work, Albion Iron Works.”

The building is now divided into 35 condominiums. It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places as the Oriental Hotel.

Here are links to some historic photos of 550-554 Yates Street:

• BC Archives photo A-02711 -as the St. Francis Hotel, circa 1905
• City of Victoria Archives photo M05557 – 1961
• BC Archives photo I-26511 – also showing the Adelphi Building, 1300 Government Street, and 566 Yates Street, 1975.
• City of Victoria Archives photo M09884 – circa 1980