Surf Motel, Victoria, British Columbia 2015

comments 3
Main entrance to the Surf Motel on Dallas Road.
Main entrance to the Surf Motel on Dallas Road.

The Surf Hotel is an architectural fixture on Victoria’s Dallas Road waterfront. A visually appealing anomaly among the residential units lining the road.

The motel was built in 1960 by a Saskatchewan farmer Peter Mangelson who had been spending his winters in Victoria. He spent $3500.00 for the lot.

The building was designed by architect Bob Siddall, who designed other local projects including  UVIC’s McPherson Library.

The Surf Motel and all 14 units.
The Surf Motel and all 14 units.

There are only 14 units  in the building and they were built with kitchenettes and mailboxes in case the motel didn’t work as a business and needed to be converted to apartments..

Mangelson ran the motel with his wife Alice and family  until the mid-70’s when one of  their sons took over the business.

The classic old Surf Motel signage.
The classic old Surf Motel signage.

Rooms rented for $8.00 a night when the motel opened in 1960, this year high season rates are $155.00 a night.

You can check out the hotel here.

A view from the side looking across dallas Road to the water and the Ogden Point breakwater
A view from the side looking across dallas Road to the water and the Ogden Point breakwater

 

Comments 3

  1. I shot this motel just a few days back myself! Just took one shot… your post here is a wonderful trek down memory lane with some GREAT shots, Don! I love the combination of vignettes with the wider shots that include context; absolutely top drawer my friend!

  2. John Campbell October 27, 2016

    We are interested to rent a suite for the month of March. Do you have any rooms with complete kitchens? Any with 2 bathrooms or a separate bedroom? Can you tell us what the rate would be for one month, March? or, if we got the right suite, Feb and March.

    Thanks and I hope you are around to answer this query

  3. John Campbell, sorry I just had to reply so that you are not disappointed. This is a blog, nothing to do with the Motel. You will wan to contact the Motel directly so you can have your questions answered.
    Good luck.

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