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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441 E PENDER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Land for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2602043
441 E PENDER Street Vancouver V6A 1V2 
$2,989,000Land Only- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2602043
441 E. Pender is situated in the coveted neighborhood of Strathcona, situated minutes from downtown Vancouver and is in close proximity to Rail town, Chinatown and Gastown. The site is currently vacant and features approximately 50 feet of frontage along East Pender Street and a depth of approximately 122 feet, with a potential opportunity to expand the site by acquiring the adjacent property at 449 E Pender for a total frontage of 75 feet along E Pender. The site’s development potential per the Downtown East side Local Area Plan is up to 35 feet in height and 0.6 FSR, which could potentially be relaxed to 0.75 FSR or 0.95 FSR for infill sites. More detailsListed by Corbel Commercial Inc.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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803 239 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Condo for sale in "SPARROW" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2597788
803 239 KEEFER Street Vancouver V0V 0V0
$1,894,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2597788
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,175 sq. ft.
This an awesome 2 bedroom penthouse with deck and a massive roof deck home at SPARROW, beautifully finished modern homes offer the upmost in stunning modern living in the heart of the historical world-famous Vancouver Chinatown. The lantern-inspired architecture of the building reflects positive Zen energy, exceptionally stunning residential homes. Every home at Sparrow has been designed with care and attention to all details, with an underlying commitment to quality custom millwork, European appliances and integrated technology components complement the modern, beautiful and highly functional aesthetic throughout. YOU WILL LOVE LOVE THIS HOME! BUY NOW AND MOVE IN SPRING 2022! More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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655 E CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Strathcona House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2584704
655 E CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6A 1M1
$1,499,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2584704
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 2,563 sq. ft.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f4h30jnw7ts87j5/AAAd3NJ8CVZNI_9F_iEx6Gl2a?dl=0 More detailsListed by Stilhavn Real Estate Services - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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449 E PENDER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Land for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2602162
449 E PENDER Street Vancouver V6A 1V2
$1,494,500Land Only- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2602162
449 E. Pender is situated in the coveted neighborhood of Strathcona, situated minutes from downtown Vancouver and is in close proximity to Rail town, Chinatown and Gastown. The site is currently vacant and features approximately 25 feet of frontage along East Pender Street and a depth of approximately 122 feet, with a potential opportunity to expand the site by acquiring the adjacent property at 441 E Pender for a total frontage of 75 feet along E Pender. The site’s development potential per the Downtown East side Local Area Plan is up to 35 feet in height and 0.6 FSR, which could potentially be relaxed to 0.75 FSR or 0.95 FSR for infill sites. More detailsListed by Corbel Commercial Inc. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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665 E CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Strathcona House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2573594
665 E CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6A 1M1
$1,488,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2573594
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,360 sq. ft.
Character home with view of north shore in East Vancouver, walking distance to Downtown, Gas Town, China Town. 7 Bed room plus 3 bath room, includes 2 bed room basement suits [seperate entrance & laundry], house is good for families who need mortgage helper or investors who wants to run air BNB, Fully renovated in 2018 include roof. MOVE-IN ready. Huge deck perfect for entertaining upstairs and lane access with plenty of parking and the bonus of the tall gate for enhanced security and privacy. Please call to book your private showing. More detailsListed by Luxmore Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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PH 5 188 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2572327
PH 5 188 KEEFER Street Vancouver V6A 0E3
$1,349,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2572327
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 990 sq. ft.
Beautiful two-level penthouse apartment with magnificent water view. Built by renowned developer Westbank Corp., This lovely unit has two bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, each floor has a generous sized walkout balcony for taking in the gorgeous sunsets. The suite comes with two side by side parking spots equipped with electric vehicle high capacity charger. High end appliances and cabinets. Extra upgrades include heated floors in the kitchen and bathrooms, built-in wall unit, desk and closet organizers. Walking distance to Sun Yat Sen garden and Rogers arena. Move in and enjoy this vibrant area! More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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303 55 E CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "Koret Lofts" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2586602
303 55 E CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6A 0A5
$1,188,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2586602
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,227 sq. ft.
Expansive NYC style loft in Gastown's coveted Koret Lofts. Recently renovated, this hip open concept space boasts gleaming concrete floors, large entertainment size living room w adjacent dining and kitchen, plus a flex area perfect for office, all adorned w exposed brick + old growth beams & mountain views! The pro chef’s kitchen is perfectly appointed w modern wht cabinetry, ss appliances, lrg gas range, wine fridge, stainless island. The master bedroom is hidden behind a beautiful custom built barn door, complete with lots of storage and large beautifully renovated spa-inspired ensuite bath w exposed bathtub + subway tiled shower. The building provides a great outdoor patio/seating/BBQ area for the owners' enjoyment. 2 pets ok. 1 u/g parking. More detailsListed by Engel & Volkers Vancouver - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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605 239 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Condo for sale in "SPARROW" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2597777
605 239 KEEFER Street Vancouver V0V 0V0
$1,074,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2597777
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 880 sq. ft.
This an awesome 1 bedroom home at SPARROW, beautifully finished modern homes offer the upmost in stunning modern living in the heart of the historical world-famous Vancouver Chinatown. The lantern-inspired architecture of the building reflects positive Zen energy, exceptionally stunning residential homes. Every home at Sparrow has been designed with care and attention to all details, with an underlying commitment to quality custom millwork, European appliances and integrated technology components complement the modern, beautiful and highly functional aesthetic throughout. YOU WILL LOVE LOVE THIS HOME! BUY NOW AND MOVE IN SPRING 2022! More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
203 55 E CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "Koret Lofts" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2578395
203 55 E CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6A 0A5
$998,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2578395
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 1,200 sq. ft.
Welcome to this amazing, truly New York Style loft at the "Koret" building in the heart of Gastown. If you are looking for the perfect, stylish, unique and large loft, here it is. The open kitchen is a dream for entertaining and the dining area seats all of your friends at a large dining table. Walls of exposed brick, wooden beams and a beautiful historic ceiling make this outstanding loft a rare and unique find. Shower and bathroom are stylish, unique and practical. A huge, fully fenced and cozy common courtyard is equipped with BBQs and seating for your summer gatherings. This is the perfect place to create your stylish and creative abode, for working from home, having friends over or just to hang out. The loft comes with 1 parking and is on the quiet side of the building. More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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807 168 POWELL Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "Smart" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2587913
807 168 POWELL Street Vancouver V6A 0B2
$965,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2587913
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,019 sq. ft.
Grab your safe 6 and prepare for a summer of BBQs and outdoor entertaining! This 2 bed, 2 bath penthouse with a massive rooftop patio, has been meticulously updated and renovated with luxury & practical living in mind. Featuring an open plan, with rooms that are designed for multiple uses, floor-to ceiling windows usher in natural light. Lots of custom touches and upgrades including Euro style kitchen, pot lights, engineered hardwood, closet organizers, seagrass feature wall, murphy bed, & glass framed staircases. PRIVATE ROOFTOP PATIO enhances city living with mountain and water views & comes fully furnished ready for summer relaxation. SMART by Concord, built with ecological and sustainable design, coupled with an amazing residence perched above the heart of the historic Gastown district More detailsListed by Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
