Think you're hip to Vancouver's architectural jewels and oddities? Take a hike—with someone who knows
Did you know that the narrowest (or shallowest) commercial building in the world (1.5 metres from front to back on the ground floor) is in Vancouver?
The Sam Kee Building is in Chinatown, at 8 West Pender Street, and the Sam Kee Co. built it in 1913 in a fit of spite after the city expropriated most of a lot the company owned but wouldn’t compensate it for the slender strip left over.
And did you also know that one of the most architecturally distinct buildings in Vancouver, the Hotel Europe in Gastown (built in 1909, and another narrow one), was modelled after New York City’s famous 1902 Flatiron Building?
Once a deluxe spot with a riotously popular basement bar—not to mention being the first reinforced-concrete building in town—it was given over to low-income housing in the 1980s, and its brass, marble, and tile lobby fittings can still be seen.
These are some of the facts you might glean from a summer walking tour of your own city, something that’s not just for tourists. The Architectural Institute of B.C. is offering six of them this summer, from now until September 2, from Tuesday to Saturday in the mornings and afternoons, and they should be on the shedule of “to dos” for every Vancouverite who plans a staycation this year.
The tours target Strathcona, False Creek North and Yaletown, Gastown and Victory Square, Chinatown, the downtown business core, and the West End.
Cost is $10, and the walks (which take place no matter the weather) last from one-and-a-half to two hours. Group tours can be arranged, and you should call to book a week ahead to ensure availability.
Call 604-683-8588 or go to http://www.aibc.ca/pub_resources/aibc_outreach/architectural_walking_tou....
Comments
4 Comments
John Atkin
Jul 18, 2011 at 10:24pm
In Chinatown, Sam Kee was not a person but was the name of the company, Chang Toy was the owner. The city purchased his original property for 40,000 dollars - fair value in those days, and Toy was left with the narrow strip at the end of the block.
Martin Dunphy
Jul 18, 2011 at 10:57pm
John Atkin: Actually, I believe Sam Kee was a real person who earlier owned many properties in what is now downtown Vancouver and Chinatown. I know the company was possibly Chinatown's wealthiest at the time.
However, you are certainly correct about this building. I should have written that the Sam Kee Co. built the building, and I have changed the copy to reflect your information.
Thank you and have a nice day.
John Atkin
Jul 19, 2011 at 11:16am
The Sam Kee Company was incorporated in 1888 by Chang Toy. It was involved in numerous activities including labor contracting, shingle mills, herring etc. It had real estate holdings throughout the province and numerous buildings in and around Chinatown. The firm survived until the 1970s. The Vancouver Archives holds the company records - the company certainly wasn't a person.
Paul Yee's article in BC Studies Spring/Summer 1986 offers the best overview of the company and Chang Toy.
Martin Dunphy
Jul 19, 2011 at 11:33am
John:
Thanks again. That's the reason I wrote "I believe" above. While looking up the building's address, I came across a PDF of a lengthy document (possibly from a UBC archive?) that mentioned such things as (quotes not exact) "Sam Kee was advised that the hotel was condemned and had to be demolished" and "Sam Kee owned five properties", et cetera,
Obviously, it was shorthand for "Sam Kee Co.", and I assumed (wrongly, as it appears) that the reference was to an actual person.