Downtown in Victoria in Capital, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Leiser Building

Built 1896

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

1. Leiser Building Marker

Inscription. Simon Leiser & Co., Wholesale Grocers, was the largest business of it kind in British Columbia when this warehouse was built. The building featured a central electric elevator with tracks radiating from the elevator on each floor for ease of handling merchandise.

Designed by architect A.C. Ewart, the building cost $35,000 in 1896. The brick structure has stone dressing and sheet metal decoration. It was renovated in 1972 as the headquarters for Capital Regional District.

This illustration is from Simon Leiser &Co.’s letterhead. The two right-hand bays of the building may never have been built.

Erected by British Columbia Heritage Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 48° 25.615′ N, 123° 22.175′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Yates Street and Waddington Alley on Yates Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 524 Yates Street, Victoria BC V8W 1K8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. Globally, it is in North America, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Waddington Alley (here, next to this marker); S.J. Pitts, Importer (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Earle Warehouse

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(a few steps from this marker); The Oriental Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Shop/Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Victoria, B.C. (within shouting distance of this marker); Amor De Cosmos, 1825-1897 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Mizzen Mast – H.M.S. Algerine (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

2. Leiser Building Marker

Of the two markers, the Leiser Building marker is on the right.

The Leiser Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

3. The Leiser Building

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 924 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.