The last of several 19th century military buildings in this location, the Armouries Drill Hall building was designed by William Ridgway-Wilson and completed in 1894. It was built for the 5th British Columbia Regiment of the Garrison Artillery, to be used both as a drill hall and as a social meeting place. The most notable soldier to parade in the building was General Sir Arthur W. Currie, who began as a gunner in Victoria and rose in rank to commander in the Canadian Corps in France during World War I.
The Armouries Drill Hall was turned over to the provincial government in 1921 and subsequently housed the provincial police department and the motor vehicle branch. It currently contains offices for Legislative Assembly staff and several media outlets.
The building faces Menzies Street and is located in the southeast corner of the Legislative Precinct.
