Before the current British Columbia Legislative buildings, known as the Parliament Buildings, were completed in 1897, there were several other buildings that served as the seat of government for the colony and later the province of British Columbia.

The first legislative assembly met in 1856 in a rented space in a building known as the "Colonial Building." This building was located on the corner of Yates and Langley streets in Victoria and served as the legislative chamber for the colony until 1863.

After that, the legislative assembly moved to a new building known as the "Government House," which was located on the present-day site of the Parliament Buildings. The Government House was a two-story wooden building that served as the legislative chamber and government offices until the current Parliament Buildings were completed in 1897.

The "Government House" was a two-story wooden building that served as the legislative chamber and government offices for the colony and later the province of British Columbia from 1863 until the completion of the current Parliament Buildings in 1897. It was located on the present-day site of the Parliament Buildings in Victoria. The building was designed in the Italianate style and had a central tower, a verandah, and a number of decorative elements.

During its time as the seat of government, the Government House was the site of many important events and decisions in the history of British Columbia. It was here that the colony of British Columbia was united with the colony of Vancouver Island in 1866, and it was also the site of the first meeting of the united colony's legislative assembly. The building also served as the office of the lieutenant governor and the premier, and it was the site of many official ceremonies and receptions.

However, as the population of British Columbia grew, the wooden Government House proved to be too small for the needs of the government and the legislative assembly, and plans were made for a new and larger building to be constructed on the same site.

Government House was designed by architect John Wright. He was an architect and civil engineer who had immigrated to Victoria from Scotland in 1858. He was responsible for designing many public buildings in Victoria and the surrounding area during the late 19th century, including the Government House. It was built by contractor and carpenter William Wright, who was also from Scotland. He was responsible for the construction of many buildings in Victoria and the surrounding area during the late 19th century.