ARCHITECTURE:
This two-storey, narrow, deep, flat-roofed brick commercial building has a central inset entrance and window on either side. The upper storey of the front façade is recessed between brick pilasters with corbelling above; a pair of windows shares a full-width concrete sill. All windows and doors have segmentally-arched brick headers and the windows have concrete sills. Most windows are two-over-two double-hung sashes; windows on the right side have been bricked-in. Architect and builder are unknown but it cost $5000 and may have been attached to a stable, built in 1909.
ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:
1911-12: John Raffell Saunders (b. Plymouth, ENG 1871-1959) came to Canada in 1892 and was in real estate and insurance until he retired in 1942. It is not known whether he intended the building for an office.
OTHER OCCUPANTS:
1912-24: It was a laundry run by Sam Wo Lee who had another laundry at 720 Humboldt St.
1925-29, 1938: vacant.
1930-35: VancIs Rockgas Dist Ltd, gas for cooking, lighting & heating; office at Yates and Government Sts.
1936-37: Totem Manufacturing Co, cleaning compounds, mgr John William Archer (b. ENG 1874-1962).
1939-early 1960s: Cabinet maker John Rodd (b. Kent, ENG 1905-1997). The Rodd family came here in 1924 from England and bought 355 Gorge Rd W (now Victoria Canoe & Kayak Club, Saanich, Designated Heritage). John and his four brothers were all boat builders and cabinet makers.
1966-2010s: Smith Bros Foundry & Machine Works purchased the property and it was renumbered 632. Thomas William Smith (b. Hebden Bridge, Yorks, ENG 1865-1928) came here in 1911, and ads first appeared in VDC for Smith Bros, buying scrap metal etc, at 640 Pembroke St. In the 1912 directory it is listed as Smith Bros, Brass Founders [T.W. Smith]. In 1927 the address changed to 632 Pembroke St. Smith Bros still occupy buildings to the right.
2019-20: The building was renovated by Hartwig.