The Empress

The Empress is an eight-story building on the Inner Harbor with green copper roofs, turrets, and château-style stone facades. The entrance lobby features dark wood, marble columns, and wide staircases leading to public rooms with high ceilings.

Francis Rattenbury designed the building for the Canadian Pacific Railway, which opened the hotel in 1908 for wealthy travelers arriving by steamship and rail. In the 1960s, a large-scale renovation saved the building from demolition and secured its status as a national historic site.

The name honors Queen Victoria of Britain, whose reign saw the British Empire at its height. Guests from around the world book weeks ahead to sit in the tea lounge and experience the ceremonial tradition with its multiple courses.

The main entrance sits directly on the harbor basin with views of the Parliament buildings across the water. Public areas on the ground floor are open to visitors who want to walk through the lobby or sit in the restaurant.

The building shares the same last name as the architect because Canadian Pacific used the queen's title to emphasize the city's British connection. During the 1960s renovation, the project received the nickname Operation Teacup as a nod to the house's famous tea service tradition.

Location: Victoria

Inception: 1908

Architects: Francis Rattenbury

Official opening: January 25, 1908

Architectural style: châteauesque, Edwardian architecture

Floors above the ground: 8

Phone: +12503848111

Website: https://fairmont.com/empress-victoria

GPS coordinates: 48.42180,-123.36800

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23