Serving Vancouver Island with trusted real estate expertise since 1887

In 1887, Joseph Pemberton and his eldest son Frederick Bernard Pemberton (Fred) opened the firm of Pemberton & Son – Engineers, Surveyors, and Real Estate Agents. After a year in business, they opened their office on Fort Street. The firm, which was engaged in mortgages, property management and insurance, was eventually taken over by Fred in 1893 following his father’s death. Fred would go on to successfully lead the firm through the First World War and the early years of the Depression.

Pip Holmes, who joined the organization in 1945 and became president in 1965, carried the banner as chairman of the Provincial Capital Commission and vice-chairman of University of Victoria’s board of governors. Along with his father, Pip also headed the Victoria Real Estate Board. As president of the Paris-based International Real Estate Federation from 1975 to 1977, Holmes was the youngest person and first Canadian elected to that office. Following in his ancestor’s footsteps, Pip was also heavily involved in the community, particularly through the preservation of farmland.

After his retirement in 1988, Pip’s nephew, Phil, took over as president. During his Presidency, Phil, working with long-time Real Estate Manager Brian McQuarrie, relocated Pemberton Holmes’ Head Office from its traditional downtown location on Government Street to Cloverdale Avenue in Saanich to allow for ease of access for brokers and clients alike. He also focused on building up the Insurance arm of the company by purchasing Harbord Insurance, which has since grown to become one of Victoria’s leading insurance brokers.