Built in 1897, the Legislative Buildings were designed by Francis M. Rattenbury, a young architect from England. Known among his contemporaries as "Ratz", Rattenbury had a reputation for being headstrong and difficult to work with. Yet despite his temperament, Rattenbury soon rose to architectural preeminence in British Columbia. After designing the Legislative Buildings, Rattenbury went on to design courthouses, bank buildings, shipping terminals, hotels and railway stations across Canada. One of Rattenbury's most monumental designs was the Empress Hotel for Canadian Pacific Railway. Designed in 1908, Empress Hotel is located directly across the street from the Legislative Buildings in Victoria. With the Empress Hotel's French chateau stylings and the Legislative Buildings' neo-classical design, Victoria's Inner Harbor certainly provides visitors with an awe-inspiring welcome.
Despite having lived in Victoria for two years, I had never entered the city via the Inner Harbor. I can certainly say it was an experience I will not soon forget. I now appreciate why tourists find the Legislative Buildings and the Empress Hotel so absolutely captivating. The fabulous architecture, gorgeous gardens and captivating history that surround you in this city is so very hard to resist.
