Address: 3065 Washington Avenue
Built: 1911
1912 householder: Frederick J. Mitchell, businessman

This Edwardian Arts & Crafts-style house was built by Wesley Newton Mitchell, the prolific Washington Avenue property developer. It was the home of the developer's relative and business partner, Frederick J. Mitchell. They were involved with several enterprises, including an automobile dealership and an auto tire store. This property had a separate garage when the house was built, so the householder probably owned a motor vehicle.

The original building plans for this dwelling are on file at City Hall and have been inventoried by the Victoria Heritage Foundation [VHF]. Judging from the VHF description of the plans, this was an opulent residence, having a tiled parlour, angled fireplaces and pocket doors between a central hall and dining room. There are leaded glass windows on the left side of the house and diamond paned windows in the upper central dormer. Outside, we see a multi-hipped roof with dormers on the front and the sides, and a tall, corbelled brick chimney. The front porch is supported by turned pillars.

Altogether, this is one of the most attractive houses in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood and would be a worthy addition to the City of Victoria's Heritage Register.

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