Exploring Victoria's Architecture

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

This is a field guide, a portable encyclopedia on the buildings of
Victoria, B.C.: public buildings, private buildings, old buildings, and
new buildings.

The book is remarkable both for the number of buildings included and
for the amount of specific detail the author has packed into the text on
each structure. It is also unique in that it is not confined to
buildings representing any one era. Modern highrises, 1950s bungalows,
and high-Victorian gingerbread comfortably share these pages. The
mansions of the wealthy are included, as are commercial blocks, jails,
churches, and humble cottages. The architecture of Chinatown and the
discussion of Asian influences on the city’s architecture add another
layer of interest.

The organization of the book mirrors the growth of the city, from the
commercial core outward to the residential sections; chronological order
is secondary. And there is a small but high-quality black-and-white
photo for each building in the guide.

Exploring Victoria’s Architecture is a delight to read and an
entertaining way to explore the various sections of the city—either by
car, on foot, or from an armchair.