The Bank of British Columbia Building at 1022 Government Street was at the time of its 1885 completion date the largest and most expensive office building in British Columbia. Today the iconic heritage building is known as the home of the Bard & Banker Public House. Citified.ca.
The historic Bank of British Columbia Building at 1022 Government Street, home of the Bard & Banker Public House, has been put up for sale for an undisclosed sum.
The 1885 commercial building was designed by renowned architect Warren H. Williams, known locally for his work on the famous Victoria landmark Craigdarroch Castle. At three storeys tall and comprising of 19,761 square feet, at the time of its construction it was largest and most expensive office building ever built in British Columbia and to this day remains a legacy to the City of Victoria's industrious past.
Renovated extensively in 2008 the Bank of British Columbia Building has become known to locals as the Bard & Banker Building in homage to the stylish pub that occupies its first and second floors. Renovation costs were pegged at $5.3 million, according to listing broker Colliers International, which saw a Christmas-themed retail store transformed into the iconic pub. Pubgoers needn't worry, however, as the tenants of the building, including the Bard & Banker, will remain following a successful sale.
As for its asking price, listing agent Ty Whittaker, senior vice president of Colliers Victoria, said that the property will remain "unpriced" for the time-being, although a "firm deal" is "expected within 30 days."
This is the second time in recent months that Colliers International has brokered the sale of a major Victoria landmark without an asking price. In late 2015 Empire Theatre Co. placed the former Capital Six Theatre property on Blanshard Street between Yates and View streets on the market without a publicly-known valuation. The building was purchased by Victoria-based real-estate development firm Jawl Properties shortly thereafter for an undisclosed sum. C
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