Significance: A Fine examples of late 1950s architecture designed by local architect, John DiCastri. Few of his works have been considered worth saving and this class of building has received little notice in term of heritage recognition. The murals which frame this building, composed of Mexican glazed mosaics and created by noted Mexican artist Andrew Salgo, are unique in Victoria.

Problem: The developer's proposal to refurbish the building and transform it from office space to condominiums will desecrate the mosaics and alter the symmetry of the original design. Among other modifications, the developer proposes to punch holes through the mosaics to accommodate windows, and to add a top floor glass enclosure is out of character with the original design.

Current status: Significant holes were drilled through the mosaics to allow for windows. The development is completed.

Significance: This picturesque neo-Gothic structure is a landmark on Beacon Avenue.

Problem: The proposed condominium development will surround and engulf this quaint heritage structure, rendering it visually inaccessible and forever losing its charm.

Current status: The development has been completed and the original building is lost in the massing.

Significance: Built in the 1930s with a Tudor facade to match the rest of the streetscape, this building's sin is being in the way of a next-door development.

Problem: There seems to be little that can be done to save this little structure.

Current status: The building has been demolished and replaced by a modern structure with retail on the main floor and living accommodation above.

Significance: The Royal is one of a very few early theatres remaining in Canada.

Problem: This significant early theatre built through public subscription is threatened with demolition. Local arts groups, unhappy with the state of the building, are pressuring the CRD to build them a new arts centre and demolish the building. What is particularly upsetting is the dismissal of the federal heritage designation as "silly" and "spurious." As Hallmark Society members discovered at the December 1999 meeting there are plans to upgrade the facility to remedy some of the problems. The decision has been put off, pending yet another study.

Update: The Royal is being removed from the endangered list as its future is assured. The CRD has recently approved a $3 million expenditure to upgrade seating and public safety. We have been assured that the building is safe from demolition.

Significance: This John DiCastri-designed structure was custom-made for the needs of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. In recent years, it has been the home of Monday Magazine.

Problem: There is little acknowledgment of the value of early modern heritage structures. It would appear nothing will save this building.

Update: The building has been rehabilitated as a McDonald's restaurant. This intervention has effectively destroyed what should have been retained as a modern landmark.

This arena built as a tribute to war veterans is a modern landmark, but is in real danger of demolition. Although a plan to replace it with a 12,500-seat multiplex failed, there are new plans for the construction of a smaller multiplex. Victoria City Council is in the process of a search for a team to build the new structure. The arena is an example of a moderate-sized mid-twentieth century sports facility, the likes of which is becoming increasingly rare. At the time it was built, it represented the latest in building technology.

Update: The citizens of Victoria approved through referendum the constructions of a new multiplex which will be a public-private partnership. The old building was demolished and replaced by a new facility.

Significance: This Samuel Maclure-designed cottage was built for Robert Porter, an early Victoria Mayor. It sits on a double building lot.

Problem: There have been several developments proposed for this site. Although none have been successful to date, the little building is under real threat. It deserves to be restored to active life and used in an appropriate manner.

Update: The building has been rehabilitated. It was raised to allow the construction of a basement, This has placed the house at a slightly higher level than the original. An addition to the rear increased the interior size.

The dwelling was built in 1912 as a country house for the Colville family. The most permanent resident was the eldest son Alick, who later inherited the title of Viscount and returned to Scotland. Although the building cannot be seen from the road, it is a landmark from the water. Sited on the rocks opposite Henderson Point, the structure was obviously designed to take advantage of its setting, with extensive porches overlooking the water. The rear entrance is more austere. With he overall impression one of Georgian grandeur and elegance. On the interior, the built-in units are still intact while the fine woodwork has generally not been painted. Considering the age of the building, the interior has survived remarkably well. As can be seen from the accompanying photographs, this is not a run-down shack, but a presentable heritage structure. All it needs is an owner who would care for it with pride.

Update: The building has now been demolished. Some building parts have been recycled for use in the new structure.

Significance: The property on which this landmark restaurant sits is for sale. The restaurant will close at the end of February. A demolition permit has been issued. The building was once the terminus of the British Columbia Electric Railway line.

Problem: The land on which the building sits is an extremely valuable building site. Permitted uses are as a restaurant or as six building lots.

Update: The building was saved through its purchase by a sympathetic owner. The restaurant has been reopened and is operating under a long-term lease.

Significance: The NW quadrant slated for redevelopment includes the 1922 Victoria Police Station.

Problem: The City proposes to violate its own zoning regulations for reasons of financial gain, The proposed structure on this site is incompatible with the surrounding cityscape and sets a most dangerous precedent for private developers to follow. If the City of Victoria cannot follow its own community zoning plan, why should private developers?

Update: The redevelopment of the former Police Station is complete. There is no large-scale tower planned at this time.

Significance: An important oasis of nature close to the downtown core

Problem: A lack of concrete guidelines for park use threatens to change the nature of the park's use, bringing additional noise, garbage and trampling to the animals and to the endangered plant communities within the park.

Update: The City of Victoria is working on a comprehensive plan for park management and use.

Significance: Located on the main road that connects the two principal towns on Salt Spring, Ganges and Fulford Harbour, the house was built in 1865 by Joseph and Martha Akerman. Mr. Akerman had emigrated from England to the California gold fields, then found his way to Victoria in 1862. His bride-to-be arrived the same year from Leicestershire. In 1863 they moved to Salt Spring and built a log cabin. Two years later they built the two-and-a-half storey house that still stands. The house is constructed of hand-hewn squared timbers, which in the 1920s were covered with wood shingles. A small barn, built in the same manner, and the original 1863 cabin have not survived. The Akerman ran a store from their house for a time, and also took in paying guests. “Travellers’ Rest” was the first inn on Salt Spring Island. The house ceased to be an inn around 1910. In 1927 it was sold, but in the 1970s a great grandson of Joseph and Martha bought it back; it remains in the Akerman family.

A 1970 photo, taken by the Canadian Inventory of Historic Building, shows the house still in use and good condition. Currently, another building is being constructed alongside the heritage building. There is no indication of what the plans are for the older building, but it appears to be in serious need of attention.

Update: The building is still standing (February 2003) The building was demolished in late 2003

Significance: This school building which served the educational need of Saanich students from 1885 until 1950 is an integral site in the historic Saanich corridor. It sits in the midst of what has been called “a reminder of the village character and its rural roots” and is one of 12 recognized heritage sites in the Royal Oak neighbourhood.

Problem: Current plans are to move the school to a new site behind the Saanich Commonwealth Place complex. Here, it will lose its historic context and will not be visible from the street.

2006 Update: Plans to move this building have been put on hold so it would appear it is safe.

Significance: This building dates to 1872 and is one of the earliest industrial sites in the city.

Problem: The land on which this building sits is valuable, waterfront real estate. A demolition permit has been applied for. The land has been contaminated with industrial waste and cleanup will be expensive. However, the building sits deserted and little has been done to ensure its structural integrity while a final decision on the site is made.

Update: The request for a demolition permit was withdrawn. Although BC Hydro is amenable to environment site cleanup, they do not seem willing to ensure the integrity of this important building.

2006 Update: The site is currently being remediated and the future of this building appears secure for the time being. What its eventual use will be is in question.

Significance: This Oak Bay hotel is a landmark and has been frequented by visitors and locals alike for decades.

Problem: The land on which this building sits is valuable, waterfront real estate.The current owners claim that the old building has been renovated so much that there is little heritage value left. They are planning a new much larger hotel which will incorporate fragments of the old building. Public hearings are currently underway.

2006 Update: It seems inevitable that this building will be demolished and a new one built on the site. The developers have promised to retain certain character features, but without their original context, they will become meaningless.

Current Status: The revised redevelopment has been approved and the hotel was demolished. The land sites empty as the owners search for funding.

Significance: This building has Federal Recognized historical status. Built in 1887-88, it is the last “Canadian Built” Officer’s Mess and Quarters of its kind in Canada. It has been given a bronze Heritage designation plaque by the Township of Esquimalt.

Problem: CFB Esquimalt has declared this large building surplus. It sits on a valuable waterfront promontory to Victoria Harbour. It is desirable from heritage organizations to have it remain in situ, but the Base wishes to demolish or move it. If moved, it will become “defrocked” of all its heritage status thus jeopardizing future Federal Heritage preservation funding. There is a current application with the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to have it designated as a Historic Site, but this needs the signature of the landlord, DND.

2006 Update: This issues has raised its ugly head again. The building was placed on Heritage Canada's list of 10 threatened buildings in Canada and the local media has been carrying the story. So far, all the attention has not raised any money to save the building but has only fueled rumours of its demise.

May2006 update: Despite efforts by several groups to save this building the Minister of Defence has refused to intervene. The building is on Nickel Bros website looking for a purchaser; if one is not found soon, the buildlng will be deconstructed i.e. demolished with "bits" saved. That the powers that be cannot understand the incredible history of the site is ridiculous. There are ties to the the emergence of the military presence on the west coast, but ... all arguments seem to be of little effort.

Current status: The building has been deconstructed over the summer of 2006 with much of its historic fabric hauled away in dumpsters.

Significance: This church was built in 1914 from plans donated by William Henderson.

Problem: After an engineering report, the building was declared unsafe to public assembly. It is currently under threat of demolition and replacement with a housing development.

Current update: Good news! The parish has voted to spend $3.2 million on a complete restoration.

Significance: St. Paul’s congregation began in 1858 meeting in a small, white schoolhouse near the graving dock; this building arose in 1866. Thomas Trounce was the architect while the general contractor was W. P. Sayward. Over the years, the Admiralty made further grants to the church, providing an organ in 1878. After construction of the military barracks at Work Point in 1890, the church was known as St. Paul’s Naval and Garrison Church. Originally located on the shore below Signal Hill, it was moved on rollers to its present at 1379 Esquimalt Road in 1904 after exposure to gales and the proximity to gunnery practice proved dangerous to the building fabric. According to church records, the cost of the move was $12,196.97 including $7,000.00 for the purchase of the new site. The design features extensive lattice work on the windows, a paired bell tower, a gable roof over the entrance with small Doric columns to either side, and extensive use of stained glass.

Problem: A decline in the population of the Anglican church has resulted in the issuance of a document that outlines mergers and closures of churches. The congregation of St. Paul's is working to save their historic church.

Current status: The parish has reorganized its finances and rallied to save their parish church.

Significance: This pair of Streamline Modern buildings atop the King George Terrace hill are an Oak Bay landmark and are known far beyond the municipal boundaries.

Problem: The buildings are threatened by the granting of a subdivision to create a third lot. While the owner is willing to protect the building at 230 King George Terrace, he will provide no such guarantee on the structure at 200 KIng George Terrace. As part of the significance is the pairing of the buildings, this is a case where the removal of one building would severely alter the significance.

Current Status: The owner has agreed to protect 230 King George Terrace and has assured Oak Bay Council that he has no plans to alter 200. This is an issue that bears watching.

Significance: Built in the late nineteenth century for the Reverend John Silver of St. Andrews’s Cathedral, this charming Italianate had two storeys and a one-storey annex at the rear. Of special note was the corbelling and spindle work at the gable end. Despite being obscured by a large tree for years, the building had survived relatively intact. The adjoining church was demolished some years ago, but this home stood as a testament to the early church builders.

Problem: The owner feels that this is a "bad place" and it should be demolished. She vacated the premises in 2006 and applied for a demolition permit in January 2007. Despite receiving serious offers to purchase it for restoration in situ or moving to a new location, the owner refused to sell. According to newspaper coverage of the issue, its heritage value was recognized by Esquimalt planning staff and the town had applied for a 60-day protection period. Unfortunately, during this time, the owner could not be persuaded to change her mind. Esquimalt had the option to adopt heritage designation against the owner’s will, but cancelled the council meeting at the last minute due to “a lack of a quorum.” This seems just too convenient for a Council that seems to shy away from heritage controversy and, as a result, heritage advocates are upset by the apparent lack of commitment to preservation by Esquimalt Council.

Current status: The building was demolished on November 19, 2007.