It’s been 85 years since a fire broke out in the original Customs House building at Wharf and Government streets.
On Jan. 18, 1937, a blaze erupted in the building, which was originally built in 1898 and housed government and postal offices. The fire severely damaged parts of the building, according to the Victoria Fire Department, but the post office still managed to resume operations a day later.
The corner property went on to undergo various changes to its interior and external facade, with additions being added – and sometimes later demolished – by the federal government. The building was eventually listed for sale in 2013.
The site is now better known as the Customs House luxury residence project, which is nearing completion. On its website, developer Cielo Properties says it was “inspired by the heritage of the site’s original buildings” when drawing up plans for the waterfront homes.
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