Notable Architects and Builders In Victoria History

Emanuel J. Breseman (1881-1971) and M. Eugene Durfee (1886-1941)

Emanuel J. Breseman (1881-1971) and M. Eugene Durfee (1886-1941) were the main partners in a Seattle based architectural firm which opened a branch office in Victoria in 1911. They opened branch offices in Nanaimo and Vancouver in 1912.

In Victoria, the firm of Breseman & Durfee is best known for two projects: the St. James Hotel (now the Carlton Plaza Hotel) at 642 Johnson Street and the First Congregational Church (now The Palladian) at 1600-1602 Quadra Street.

642 Johnson Street, now the Carlton Plaza Hotel. Originally built in 1912 as the King James Hotel.

642 Johnson Street, now the Carlton Plaza Hotel. Originally built in 1912 as the King James Hotel.

1600 Quadra Street, built in 1912 by Seattle architects Breseman and Durfee for the Congregational Church. It is now a condominium development called The Palladian

1600-1602 Quadra Street, built in 1912 by Seattle architects Breseman and Durfee for the Congregational Church. It is now a condominium development called The Palladian

In Nanaimo their known extant buildings include the Commercial Hotel, 121 Bastion Street (built in 1913) and the Rawlinson-Glaholm Grocery at 437 Fitzwilliam Street (built in 1916). Both of these buildings are on the City of Nanaimo Heritage Building Registry. (note: PDF) and the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

Breseman & Durfee closed their Canadian branch offices in 1914 and continued their practice from their Seattle office.

For more on Breseman & Durfee’s projects see:

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