Description of Historic Place

Duck's Block is a three-storey Victorian brick commercial building on Broad Street.

Heritage Value

Duck's Block is an excellent example of a large-scale Late Victorian commercial building. Constructed in 1892 for Simeon Duck, successful early local entrepreneur, MLA, and former Minister of Finance for British Columbia. This handsome Victorian building is a testament to the entrepreneurship of its original owner. Initially built as the home of Duck's Carriage Works, and also used as retail outlets, entertainment venues, and early meeting rooms for the Knights of Pythias. This building is representative of the multi-functionality of Victoria's commercial district in the late nineteenth century. Bold decoration and architectural solidity make Duck's Block a dominant presence within Broad Street's narrow streetscape.

Source: City of Victoria Planning and Development Department

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Duck's Block include:
- the prominent position of the building within the streetscape, marked by the lack of a set-back;
- the architectural solidity of the structure, seen in such elements as the rusticated masonry piers at street level, and stone lintels;
-bold Victorian detailing, such as arched windows on the uppermost storey, the corbelled cornice detailing, and small triangular pediment above the cornice;
- the mixed use of this building for a variety of commercial enterprises;
- intact original storefront elements such as cast iron columns.