565 Fisgard Street – the Lee Block

The Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street. Built in 1910 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Chong and Lee Wong. The Gate of Harmonious Interest is on the right.

Here is a map showing the location of the Lee Block at 565 Fisgard Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 565 Fisgard Street:

The Lee Block is listed on the City of Victoria Heritage Building Registry and the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

Additional Information About the Lee Block, 565 Fisgard Street /1618-1628 Government Street

• Assessed Value (July 2020): $4,513,000; Land $1,947,000 Buildings $2,566,000
• Assessed Value (July 2019): $4,244,000; Land $1,483,000 Buildings $2,761,000
• Assessed Value (July 2018): $2,909,000; Land $1,295,000 Buildings $1,614,000
• Assessed Value (July 2017): $2,670,000; Land $1,312,000 Buildings $1,358,000
• Assessed Value (July 2016): $2,396,000; Land $1,247,000 Buildings $1,149,000
• Assessed Value (July 2015): $2,265,000; Land $1,075,000 Buildings $1,190,000
• Assessed Value (July 2014): $2,398,000; Land $1,016,000 Buildings $1,382,000
• Canadian Register of Historic Places

A Brief History of the Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street

The Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street and 565 Fisgard Street, at the intersection of Government Street and Fisgard Street, was built in 1910 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Cheung, Lee Woy and Lee Yau You.

The original building permit, issued by the City of Victoria in March 1910, describes a 3 storey, 23 room brick building with an estimated construction cost of $30,000. The building’s intended use was listed as “stores and rooms”

As indicated on the original 1910 building permit, the Lee Block was designed with commercial space on the main level and residential space on the upper floors. It still maintains that configuration.

In 1910, C. Elwood Watkins also designed another nearby building for the Lee’s: the Lee’s Benevolent Association building at 612-614 Fisgard Street. Unlike the Lee’s Benevolent Association building, the Lee Block shows no trace of Asian design influences. Instead, it is a fairly typical Edwardian mixed use commercial and residential building, which indicates that the Lee’s wanted C. Elwood Watkins to provide them with a western style building, despite the building being located in the heart of Victoria’s Chinatown.

The Lee Block is listed on the City of Victoria Heritage Building Registry and the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

Here are some links to historic photographs of the Lee Block:

• City of Victoria Archives photo M09088 – 1911