MAPPING VICTORIA - 1244 Wharf

1244 Wharf St

Building Info

Note: The building info below is from the February 2024 plans as the developer indicated in June 2026 they are changing directions and will now work on a new proposal with a five-story addition. Once they submit revised plans the information will be updated with the new details.

February 2024 plans:

2 storey new addition and restoration and seismic upgrading of existing heritage building
The proposed renovation and addition will create 52 residential / hotel units distributed from levels 2 to 7 - the building slopes towards the water so the appearance of the original building at Wharf street is 3 storeys
Bicycle/unit storage spaces, and service / garbage rooms at level 1 below Wharf Street.
A commercial retail or food and beverage unit will be re-established at the Wharf Street level.

Developer

The Salient Group
Developer Project Website

Architect

Cascadia Architects
Architect Project Website

Context

Originally built in 1882 by architect John Teague with two later additions up until 1896.
Original use was as dry good supplier for Turner, Beeton & Company Ltd., then W.H. Malkin, grocers; McQuade's Ship Chandlers. In recent times it was a popular seafood restaurant Chandlers and then as a pub called The Guild. The restaurant portion is now unoccupied.

City of Victoria Development Tracker

Project Folder

Status

In March 2024 the City provided feedback re: a Heritage Alteration Permit with Variances application to construct a two storey addition to an existing building. Currently sits with developer for next steps.
On May 2, 2026 Cascadia Architects held an open house reception at the 1244 Wharf Street where they shared one possible revision of the development plans featuring a five-storey modern addition. Architect Andy Guiry indicated they are working on new plans and having discussions with the City as a two storey addition is not economically viable to support the restoration work and creation of new housing units. They are looking at a 4 or 5 storey modern addition and emphasized that the building has been modified several times early in its history and they would like to see the Wyland's whale mural restored/repainted as part of the restoration process.
In a letter to the mayor and council dated June 4, 2026 The Salient Group state they now plan to proceed with a "comprehensive restoration and adaptive re-use of the important historic “Yates Block” building into a premier hotel. We are requesting an extension on the file to allow us to move a revised application forward." The letter continues "We are therefore revising our proposal to include a 5-storey addition and a small annex on the west side of the property." See the Planning Deep Dive section below for more details.

Media and Images

February 11, 2024 Times Colonist story on the existing Wyland mural
June 11, 2020 Times Colonist story

A possible new direction publicly floated by Cascadia Architects in May 2026 and now the inital rendering/concept shared with the City in June 2024.

Additions made to the original 1882 structure - © Cascadia Architects

Location

Google Street View

July 2025
May 2015
June 2009

Current Site Context

August 28, 2024 - with partial view of the fading Wyland's Whaling Wall - Photo © John Johnson

August 17, 2026 - as viewed from Yates St Parkade © John Johnson

August 17, 2026 - far left as viewed from Yates St Parkade © John Johnson

Planning Deep Dive

The following three images are from the February 2024 plans - © Cascadia Architects

In a letter to the mayor and council dated June 4, 2026 The Salient Group state they now plan to proceed with a "comprehensive restoration and adaptive re-use of the important historic “Yates Block” building into a premier hotel. We are requesting an extension on the file to allow us to move a revised application forward."

The letter explains the proposed changes and rationale in greater detail:

Revised Design Concept :

The current application proposed a two-storey addition and a 50-room hotel with small restaurant. Given the very small existing building footprint of less than 5000 square feet, hotel rooms were proposed in the existing levels at and below Wharf Street. The configuration and number of the potential rooms in these levels is very much restricted by the existing building and building code constraints. Locating rooms in these spaces also significantly limits the ability to accommodate the “back of house” support uses and the active ground floor restaurant and lobby spaces necessary for a quality hotel. This has prompted us to explore options that better realize the site’s potential.

We are therefore revising our proposal to include a 5-storey addition and a small annex on the west side of the property. The 5-storey addition allows for a substantial seismic and heritage upgrade to the existing building, and to shift from combustible to non-combustible construction. The upper 2-levels of the historic Yates Block building will contain larger, more experiential hotel rooms while the additional floors will enable floor plates that can accommodate various hotel suite configurations that are not possible within the existing building constraints. The 5-storey addition will be complementary and visually compatible with the existing building while also being distinct from the historic building.

The small annex will enclose waste, recycling and other hotel servicing uses and will enable a small patio on the northwest corner of the property with unimpeded views west, to Reeson Park, and to the “Blue Bridge” for the food and beverage space.

The current application included suites on the main floor and level below Wharf Street. Moving suites out of the main floor allows for a hotel lobby, restaurant and lounge and the necessary accessible facilities associated with those uses. Moving suites out of the level below Wharf St (Level 2) enables a connection to the service “annex” for hotel service functions (i.e. storage, recycling/waste management, laundry, housekeeping, etc.), and for amenities required for a quality hotel including the potential for a fitness and wellness centre or meeting rooms.

The historic Yates Block will be restored, and the original architectural adornment will be re-instated on the building. This includes the spectacular cornices, pediment, and balcony features that were removed from the building through its history. The original structure of the building is proposed to be retained and integrated into the new non-combustible building structure.

Historical Context

BC Archives - 1883

City of Victoria Archives - 1912

Photo - 1896

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse