605 Courtney Street – Metropolitan Building

The Metropolitan Building, 809-817 Government Street, built in 1903 for Joseph and Lewis Rostein

Here is a map showing the location of the Metropolitan Building:

Here is a Google Street View image of the Metropolitan Building:

Additional Information About The Metropolitan Building

• Assessed Value (July 2018): $7,315,000; Land $4,741,000; Buildings $2,574,000
• Assessed Value (July 2017): $6,412,000; Land $3,715,000; Buildings $2,697,000
• Assessed Value (July 2016): $5,629,000; Land $2,808,000; Buildings $2,821,000
• Canadian Register of Historic Places

A Brief History of the Metropolitan Building

The Metropolitan Building was built in 1903 by architects Thomas Hooper and C. Elwood Watkins for Joseph Rostein and Lewis Rostein at a construction cost of $14,000. It was was originally called the Rostein Building but was re-named the Metropolitan Building circa 1904.

The Rostein brothers built the Metropolitan Building with the intention of renting space to commercial tenants. Early tenants included the Windsor Grocery, the American Consulate and Thomas Plimley, who ran a bicycle shop at the time he was in this building. Thomas Plimley later branched out into selling motorcycles and cars at other Victoria locations.

Alterations were made to the Metropolitan Building in 1946 by the architectural firm of Birley, Wade and Stockdill, which changed the original Douglas Street facade and removed the building’s original cornice.

The Metropolitan Building has always been a commercial building with stores on the main level and office space on the second floor.

For additional information on the Metropolitan Building:

• Victoria Hallmark Society
• Canadian Register of Historic Places