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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PH6 188 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2809050
PH6 188 KEEFER Street Vancouver V6A 0E3 
$1,358,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2809050
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,271 sq. ft.
Situated in the historic, vibrant and convenient Chinatown. This stunning N/E corner Penthouse with floor to ceiling windows is sure to impress, with panoramic City, Water and Mountain views. Designed by renowned architect, W.T. Lueng. 1268 Sq ft of 2 level spacious living with 2 bed + Den. This sleek and modern home boasts gorgeous hardwood floors. Miele appliances, gas cooktop, stone counters, Roller shades. 2 parking side by side and 2 storage lockers. Steps to a foodies paradise, you will find Kissa Tanto, Virtuous Pie and Bodega just to name a few. This rare opportunity awaits you! More detailsListed by Rennie & Associates Realty Ltd.
- 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®# R2763187
605 239 KEEFER Street Vancouver V6A 1X6
$1,125,800Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2763187
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 880 sq. ft.
Awesome 2 bed-2 bath at SPARROW, this amazing home offers 9’ ceilings, full-height windows, and generous walk out patios. The living space features rift-cut white oak floors. The kitchens are a chef's paradise, stunning white oak and white lacquer cabinets, quartz countertops, under-mounted sinks, no-touch faucet, seamless Liebherr fridge, AEG European wall over & induction cooktop and Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. The bathrooms feature wall-mounted vanity and storage, Silestone Calacatta quartz countertops, Italian stone vanity, LED-lighting, rain & hand shower.. Beautifully appointed bedroom. 1 underground parking This is not an offering for sale. Any such offerings may only be made with a Disclosure Statement. E.&O.E. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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505 239 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Condo for sale in "SPARROW" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2763176
505 239 KEEFER Street Vancouver V6A 1X6
$1,018,800Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2763176
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 880 sq. ft.
Awesome 2 bed-2 bath at SPARROW, this amazing home offers 9’ ceilings, full-height windows, and generous walk out patios. The living space features rift-cut white oak floors. The kitchens are a chef's paradise, stunning white oak and white lacquer cabinets, quartz countertops, under-mounted sinks, no-touch faucet, seamless Liebherr fridge, AEG European wall over & induction cooktop and Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. The bathrooms feature wall-mounted vanity and storage, Silestone Calacatta quartz countertops, Italian stone vanity, LED-lighting, rain & hand shower.. Beautifully appointed bedroom. 1 underground parking This is not an offering for sale. Any such offerings may only be made with a Disclosure Statement. E.&O.E. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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902 718 MAIN Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Condo for sale in "GINGER" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2814450
902 718 MAIN Street Vancouver V6A 0B1
$999,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2814450
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,051 sq. ft.
A Rare Mount Pleasant Penthouse in the Ginger Building. On the edge of Chinatown & Strathcona, unit 902 is a top floor 2 bed, 2 bath completely renovated stunner. Nothing was left untouched during the upgrade in 2017. The kitchen won "Best Small Kitchen" from the NKBA and was featured in Western Living in 2018. New lightning, electric blinds, built-in speakers, high end appliances + wine fridge, heated towel rack, upgraded bathrooms, custom walnut millwork, unique hardwood and hex tile flooring, plus much more. Too many upgrades to list. You need to see this one in person. The lay-out is great and the space has great flow. See floor plans. The downtown views from the patio are insane. Comes with 1 parking + 1 storage locker. Click the virtual tour button & Book your private showing today. More detailsListed by Keller Williams Elite Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1901 188 KEEFER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "188 Keefer" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2803267
1901 188 KEEFER Street Vancouver V6A 0E3
$998,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2803267
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 938 sq. ft.
VIEW property at Westbank's 188 Keefer St. This rarely available SUBPH 2Bed/2 Bath open concept corner condo offers a unique floorplan and unobstructed views from every part of the home. The high end kitchen features Miele integrated appliances and a gas range. From the main living space and the 134sqft Patio you have a panoramic outlook of False Creek, Downtown, Chinatown, the mountains and water. The generous sized bedrooms are on opposite sides of the condo for maximum privacy and the primary features a walk through closet and double sink ensuite. This pet and rental friendly building is a 97 Walk Score to the Skytrain, Seawall, Rogers Arena and many fabulous restaurants. Includes 1 pkg spot and 2 oversized storage lockers. Strata fee includes heat. More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
