Downtown Victoria Tour
Fort Street – 600 Block
655-671 Fort Street – Fell Building
This building at 655-671 Fort Street and 1011 Broad Street was built in 1879 for James Fell.
Here’s a map showing the location of 655-671 Fort Street:
Here is a Google Street View image of the Fell Building, 655-671 Fort Street:
This building at 655-671 Fort Street and 1011 Broad Street was built in 1879 for James Fell.
Additional Information About the Fell Building
- Assessed Value (July 2019): $6,094,000; Land: $2,135,000; Buildings: $3,959,000
- Assessed Value (July 2018): $6,080,000; Land: $1,897,000; Buildings: $4,183,000
- Assessed Value (July 2017): $5,570,000; Land: $1,954,000; Buildings: $3,616,000
- Assessed Value (July 2016): $4,957,000; Land: $1,858,000; Buildings: $3,099,000
- Assessed Value (July 2015): $4,702,000; Land: $1,601,000; Buildings: $3,101,000
A Brief History of the Fell Building, 655-671 Fort Street / 1011 Broad Street
The Fell Building was originally used by James Fell as grocery store. We came across this 1881 advertisement for the Fell Grocery:
“DEATH IN THE COFFEE POT – The public are cautioned against purchasing imported California ground coffee. The ingredients are of the vilest description, as anyone using it will discover should he examine the grounds. During the perihelia of the planets people should be careful what they eat and drink. Don’t allow your grocer to palm off his trash upon you, because it pays him better to sell it than the good article. Ask for FELL & Co.’s coffee and take no other.”
Here are links to some historic photos of the Fell Building:
- City of Victoria Archives photo M07313 – Fell & Co. interior, circa 1890
- BC Archives photo D-06360 – Fell Building circa 1912
- BC Archives photo D-02224 – Fell Building, Copas & Young Anti-Combine Grocers, circa 1912
- BC Archives photo G-05010 – 1946. Photographer: Duncan Macphail
- BC Archives photo I-01520 – 1946. Photographer: Duncan Macphail
- BC Archives photo I-01521 – 1946. Photographer: Duncan Macphail
- City of Victoria Archives photo M08627 – August 1947
- City of Victoria Archives photo M01451 – August 1959
Here are some Historic Victoria Advertisements by occupants of the Fell Building:
1909 Advertisement for Copas & Young, The Anti-Combine Grocers (with prices)
Copas & Young occupied the ground floor of the Fell Building for at least two decades in the early 20th century. We will do more research on the dates in future.
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