1618-1628 Government Street – the Lee Block

Downtown Victoria Tour

Government Street – Fisgard Street

1618-1628 Government Street / 565 Fisgard Street

The Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street and 565 Fisgard Street, at the intersection of Government Street and Fisgard Street, was designed and built in 1910 by architect C. Elwood Watkins for Lee Cheung, Lee Woy and Lee Yau You. It was designed with commercial space on the main level and residential space on the upper floors and still maintains that configuration.

Here is a map showing the location of the Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street and 565 Fisgard Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of the Lee Block:

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

• 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

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 and contractor Thomas Bryden 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.

Architect C. Elwood Watkins had a prior business relationship with the Lee’s. In 1909 C. Elwood Watkins and Thomas Hooper been retained by Lee Cheung and Lee Woy to design and build 618-624 Johnson Street.

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.

Here are links to some historic photographs of the Lee Block, 1618-1628 Government Street:

• City of Victoria Archives photo M09088 – 1911

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