Victoria City Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Victoria City Hall |
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![]() Exterior view of Victoria City Hall
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General information | |
Type | Seat of local government |
Architectural style | Second Empire |
Address | 1 Centennial Square Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1P6 |
Coordinates | 48°25′42″N 123°21′53.46″W / 48.42833°N 123.3648500°W |
Groundbreaking | 1878 |
Completed | 1890 |
Owner | City of Victoria |
Design and construction | |
Architect | John Teague |
Official name: Victoria City Hall National Historic Site of Canada | |
Designated: | 1977 |
Victoria City Hall is a very important building in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It's where the local government, called the Victoria City Council, meets to make decisions for the city. You can find it in Downtown Victoria, near Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue. This historic building was finished in 1890. Because it's so special, it was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1977 and a local heritage site in 1979.
What is a City Hall?
A city hall is like the main office for a city's government. It's where the mayor and city council members work. They make rules and plans for the city, like how to manage parks, roads, and public services.
Building's Design and History
The Victoria City Hall was designed by an architect named John Teague. It's a great example of a building style called "Second Empire." This style was popular a long time ago and often used for important public buildings. It shows how strong and growing the government was.
The building has a tall clock tower, which is 105 feet high. It also has special windows and a unique roof. The outside of the building is made from concrete, brick, and stone. Construction started in 1878 and finished in 1890.
Centennial Square
Victoria City Hall is a famous landmark in Victoria's Old Town District. In 1963, there was a plan to tear it down to build a new area called Centennial Square. Luckily, the building was saved. Now, it stands as an important historical part of the square.