Chinatown heritage location of Vancouver’s famed Keefer Bar lists for nearly $2.5 million

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      A heritage property that houses one of the most popular bars in Vancouver has been listed on the market.

      The single commercial strata unit at 135 Keefer Street and home of Keefer Bar is asking $2,495,000.

      The ground floor space forms part of the Chinatown building of the former Vancouver Gas Co.Warehouse.

      An account by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation recalls that the building was constructed in 1910 as a warehouse and meter repair shop for the gas company.

      The VHF also relates, “It is the only extant building remaining from the first goal gas manufacturing complex of this early Vancouver utility. It is one of a handful of buildings associated with intense industrial use on the north shore of False Creek. The gas complex was located here to unload coal barged from Vancouver Island.”

      Per B.C. Assessment, the 1,183-square-foot space has a 2022 valuation of $1,639,000.

      The building, which has 133 Keefer as address, is a protected heritage property in the city.

      A report to Vancouver city council in 2008 recommended the designation of the Chinatown building as protected heritage.

      The report rendered by city staff followed a development application submitted by Gair Williamson Architects to retain and rehabilitate 133 Keefer Street.

      The application proposed “rehabilitation by adaptive re-use of the heritage warehouse building, and the construction of a one storey rooftop addition that will be set back”.

      “The proposed uses are retail on the ground floor and residential on four upper floors (floors two to five),” the report explained.

      Keefer Bar opened at the building in 2010, and has received wide acclaim.

      The bar is not included in the sale.

      The CBRE agency listing for 135 Keefer Street explained that the ground floor commercial unit is tenanted by the Keefer Bar.

      Moreover, the bar is a “long-term and well-established business providing consistent revenue from a triple net lease and a profit rent agreement”.

      Listing agent Angus Tone related in a phone interview with the Straight that he has visited and was impressed with the Keefer Bar.

      “I’ve been there. I like it,” Tone said.

      Tone noted that the commercial strata unit offers a “good return for today’s market”.

      “It should be quite attractive to investors,” Tone noted.

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