Chinatown Overview
Canada’s largest Chinatown, among the largest in North America, is in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, in the blocks around Main, Pender, and Keefer Streets with the Gastown and Downtown districts to the west, Downtown Eastside to the north, the residential district of Strathcona to the east, and False Creek to the south. Chinatown remains a popular tourist attraction despite the growth of the newer Chinese immigrant business district in the suburb of Richmond south of Vancouver on Lulu Island in the Fraser River. Many affluent Hong Kong and Taiwan immigrants in Richmond have developed successful Chinese businesses in the area now named Golden Village by the City of Richmond, which once proposed the name “Chinatown” only to encounter strong resistance from the original Chinatown in Vancouver and from non-Chinese Richmond residents and merchants.
Asian Influx
The Greater Vancouver Regional District received large numbers of Asian immigrants during the late 20th Century, primarily Chinese, whose population reached 300,000 by the mid-’90s. More immigrants settled in Richmond than in Vancouver Chinatown for its lower costs of living and closer distance to the Vancouver International Airport. The development of suburban Asian shopping districts with plenty of parking space like Richmond’s Aberdeen Centre, visibly impaired the business heart of historic Chinatown.
Decline
Chinatown businesses today consist mostly of working-class retailers, small groceries, tea shops, and souvenir stores. Some restaurants stand out, but there are no longer so many, and their declining numbers brought less foot traffic and nighttime activity than in former times. The 10-percent Chinatown vacancy rate shows the need for a fresh approach to development to replace businesses that have moved to suburban locations, retired, or simply closed. Redevelopment opportunities are clearly present. Chinatown lease rates from $15–30/square foot are the cheapest in the city, much lower than those in Vancouver’s Downtown shopping district.
The Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area
In the 1990s, the Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association searched for an effective vehicle for projects to revitalize the area. Gastown and Downtown Vancouver had formed business improvement areas (BIAs) with evident success. With the consent and support of merchants and property owners, the association planned to establish a Chinatown BIA.
After several attempts, the association succeeded in winning the community support necessary establish a Chinatown BIA. The Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area (VCBIA) incorporated in 2000 on a model of BIAs successful in other areas of the city to improve Chinatown’s cleanliness and safety, expand and promote its events, and work with media and external partners to make Chinatown popular and prosperous again. A voluntary board of property owners and tenants manages the VCBIA. The city assists with annual funding through a special property tax like a local improvement levy. Each property’s contribution to the annual BIA budget is according to its proportionate share of the total BIA taxable value.
Information Links:
http://vancouver-chinatown.com
http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/chinatown-revitalization.aspx
Redevelopment Prospects
A new Chinatown business plan now encourages entrepreneurs to move in to rehabilitate storefronts, attract a young crowd, and make visitors more comfortable. Attracted by low rents and heritage buildings, new businesses have moved in with owners in apartments above the shops. Chinatown’s priority now is to attract people of all backgrounds in the belief that non-traditional stores will bring a new flow of energy and income. Commercial activity is increasingly diverse with vintage stores, two art galleries, bars, and now a nightclub at the location of the former Ming’s restaurant, an attempt to bring back some of the nightlife atmosphere of the 1950s and ’60s. The diversity of new shops and businesses has created a new Chinatown image of vibrancy to compete with suburban districts and complement nearby Gastown and Downtown Vancouver.
New Chinatown Live MLS Listings
Chinatown, Vancouver, BC, Real Estate
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3 468 JACKSON Avenue in Vancouver: Strathcona Townhouse for sale in "Jackson Gardens" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2846735
3 468 JACKSON Avenue Vancouver V6A 3B5 
$999,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2846735
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,111 sq. ft.
Quiet and secure, this 2 bed 2 1/2 bath suite at Jackson Gardens has been fully rain screened & redesigned with the sharpest eye for quality and design. Professionally measured at over 1,100 ft. The main fts: vaulted ceilings, living room w/ real wood stove, dining room & kitchen plus a powder room and laundry. Above are 2 full beds & 2 full baths, one in ensuite. Two large patios in the inner gated courtyard of the living room. Accessible from the suite is a lrg storage room & parkade. Across from seismically upgraded & historic Strathcona Elementary. Pets & rentals allowed. Access to parking w/ EV capability and storage directly from unit. Superb urban lifestyle just mins to Chinatown, Dntwn, Bus, Transit. Some images have been digitally staged. OPEN HOUSE: Sat, April 20th, 12- 1:30 pm More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Ltd.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1810 188 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2848147
1810 188 KEEFER Street Vancouver V6A 0E3
$949,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2848147
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 888 sq. ft.
188 Keefer 2 bedroom 2 bath, bright & good layout 888 sq ft on 18 floor of a concrete building. 2 south facing balcony off living room & Master bedroom overlooking water and city open view. Unique kitchen tile splash with Meile appliances, engineered hardwood flooring, gas cook top, built in oven & microwave and more. Great amenities include exercise room, multi purpose room & outdoor yard with BBQ area. Chill with your friends at trendy restaurants and pubs that are within walking distance. Motivated Seller. open house: Sat 06 Apr & Sun 07 Apr 2-4pm More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1605 188 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2853900
1605 188 KEEFER Street Vancouver V6A 0E3
$905,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2853900
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 821 sq. ft.
A Gem situated in the heart of historic vibrant Chinatown. This luxurious 2 Br suite is the most sought after floorplan & offers breathtaking views of Burrard Inlet water, False Creek, N Shore Mountain & Cityscape. Contemporary open concept exquisitely designed with an Asian flair. Upgraded Chef kitchen with gas cooktop & Miele & Blomberg appliances. Beautiful new hardwood flooring. Bathroom fixtures by Duravit. Spacious 2 Br are separated to provide privacy. Large balcony for outdoor enjoyment. Great amenities include gym, private garden, BBQ area & Party lounge. Steps to the best eats, famous & hip restaurants & pubs-Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto, Phnom Penh & close groceries, Park, False Creek & Skytrain station. Enjoy luxurious living with unparalleled convenience! More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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4 513 E PENDER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Townhouse for sale in "The Jackson" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2867880
4 513 E PENDER Street Vancouver V6A 1V3
$895,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2867880
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 806 sq. ft.
Lots of light, but with a forested feel. This 2-level townhouse located in the beloved Strathcona neighbourhood has been fully renovated from top to bottom. Awesome design elements include ; The dining area has 16' ceilings and skylights, letting in an abundance of natural light. Patio doors off the living room lead to the large, private patio (almost 300 sqft) that is surrounded by cedars. Great storage inside the suite off the kitchen. Jackson Gardens has had a complete restoration, which included rain screening, parking membrane and windows only, to name a few. Secure parking below, and it's EV-ready. OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, April 20th, 12- 1:30 pm More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1709 188 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2861147
1709 188 KEEFER Street Vancouver V6A 0E3
$866,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2861147
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 850 sq. ft.
Welcome to 188 Keefer by renowned Developer, Westbank. Open concept immaculately kept 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 den with large balcony overlooking the beautiful city and mountains. Southeast facing. Enjoy hardwood flooring, white on white gloss kitchen, Miele appliance package, Bosch W/D, designer artwork on kitchen & bathroom backs plashes. A perfect downtown residence or investment property located close to trendy restaurants, Starbucks, Chinatown, parks & mere minutes to the Downtown core. Short walks to Skytrain, T&T supermarket, cinema, and elementary school. The growth for the area is tremendous with the northeast plans for False Creek. One Parking and one locker. More detailsListed by LeHomes Realty Premier - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
