The Government House Porte Cochere restoration stands as a testament to Stone & Trowel’s commitment to safeguarding British Columbia’s architectural treasures. Located in the historic Rockland neighborhood of Victoria, BC, this project involved the meticulous repointing and steam cleaning of the Porte Cochere—a grand carriage entrance that has endured fires, reconstructions, and over a century of exposure to Vancouver Island’s harsh coastal elements. Dating back to the mid-19th century, the structure’s intricate stonework had suffered from decades of moss, lichen, algae, grime buildup, and mortar deterioration, threatening both its aesthetic grandeur and structural integrity.
Completed in collaboration with Lennox Masonry, this restoration breathed new life into the Porte Cochere while adhering strictly to heritage conservation principles. By employing gentle, non-abrasive techniques like DOFF Integra steam cleaning and compatible Hotlime mortar repointing, we removed contaminants and stabilized the masonry without compromising the original materials. This page chronicles the project’s history, the challenges of working on a provincially significant site, our detailed process, and the enduring impact of preserving one of Victoria’s most iconic heritage features for future generations.

The Historic Significance of Government House and Its Porte Cochere

• Government House is the official residence of British Columbia’s Lieutenant Governor and has a storied past intertwined with the province’s colonial and cultural history. The original building was constructed between 1857 and 1860 as a residence for the Governor of Vancouver Island, designed in a Gothic Revival style by architect Hermann Otto Tiedemann. It served as a symbol of British authority during the colony’s early days, hosting dignitaries, social events, and administrative functions.
  Tragedy struck in 1899 when the first Government House was destroyed by fire, leaving only remnants like the Porte Cochere intact. Rebuilt in 1903 under architect Francis Rattenbury (famous for the BC Parliament Buildings), the second iteration blended Edwardian Baroque elements but burned down again in 1957—sparing the Porte Cochere once more. The current Government House, completed in 1959 by architect Percy Leonard James, incorporates the surviving Porte Cochere as a bridge to its predecessors, making it a rare continuous element across three incarnations.
  The Porte Cochere itself is a striking example of 19th-century masonry craftsmanship: built from local sandstone and granite, it features robust arches, detailed carvings, and a carriageway designed for horse-drawn carriages. Measuring approximately 20 feet high and 30 feet wide, it serves as the grand entrance to the 36-acre estate, which includes formal gardens, woodlands, and outbuildings. As a designated provincial heritage site under the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA), any work on the Porte Cochere must preserve its historical authenticity while meeting modern safety and durability standards.
  Over time, Vancouver Island’s temperate but relentless climate—characterized by heavy rainfall (up to 1,000 mm annually in Victoria), salt-laden ocean winds, and frequent freeze-thaw cycles—had taken a toll. Moss, lichen, and algae flourished on the porous stone, trapping moisture and accelerating efflorescence (white salt deposits) and spalling (flaking surfaces). Mortar joints, originally lime-based for breathability, had eroded or been poorly patched with incompatible modern cement, leading to cracks and water intrusion. By the mid-2020s, the structure required urgent intervention to prevent further degradation and ensure it remained structurally sound for public events and daily use.
  Stone & Trowel, building on Lennox Masonry’s established reputation for heritage projects, was commissioned by the Government House administration to lead the restoration. This partnership allowed us to combine Lennox’s foundational masonry skills with Stone & Trowel’s specialized conservation techniques, ensuring a holistic approach that respected the site’s cultural significance.

The Vision: Balancing Preservation with Functionality

• The vision for the Porte Cochere restoration was straightforward yet ambitious: restore the structure to its original splendor while enhancing its resilience against BC’s coastal elements, all without altering its historic appearance. As a key feature of Government House—a site that hosts over 100 public events annually, including garden tours, royal visits, and community gatherings—the Porte Cochere needed to be both aesthetically pristine and practically durable.
   

• Key objectives included:
  • Removing biological growth and grime without abrasive methods that could erode the soft sandstone.
  • Repointing deteriorated mortar joints with materials compatible with the original 19th-century lime-based composition to allow breathability and prevent trapped moisture.
  • Addressing structural weaknesses, such as minor settling or cracking, through minimally invasive reinforcements.
  • Ensuring compliance with the HCA and local heritage bylaws, which emphasize reversible interventions and matching original craftsmanship.
  The project also aimed to qualify for heritage incentives, such as grants from Heritage BC or federal Historic Places Initiative (HPI) funding through Parks Canada, to offset costs. By focusing on sustainable, eco-friendly methods, the restoration aligned with broader provincial goals for climate-resilient heritage preservation—particularly relevant in Victoria, where rising sea levels and increased storm intensity pose long-term threats.
  For Stone & Trowel and Lennox Masonry, this vision resonated with our core philosophy: treating heritage structures not as relics but as living elements of community identity. The Government House administration sought a result that would honor the site’s 160+ year history while making it safe and accessible for modern use.