What's New

Originally called the Duncan Building when it was built in 1912, it was renamed the Shelly Building in 1925 when it was bought by William Curtis Shelly for his wife Cora. It continues to operate as a commercial and retail centre. (1912 photo from Vancouver Photos Archives). 

Built in 1949 for the Salvation Army, this rare Moderne style building also served as a Buddhist Temple for many years, but has been sitting empty for over 20 years. The site is currently owned by Vancouver Coastal Health, who have threatened to demolish the building. (1951 photo from PNG Archives). 

Edward Lipsett started his sail making company on Water Street in 1891, and soon graduated to selling fishing, boating and hunting supplies. He ran the  business until his death in 1948.  (1947 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

Originally the home of the Province newspaper, this 1898 building has undergone a number of facelifts over the years. After the Province moved out, it became a department store, then a furniture store. After a recent renovation it is now an upscale art gallery at street level and offices and studios upstairs. (1926 photograph from Vancouver City Archives.)

The Guinness Book of Records lists 8 West Pender as the 'narrowest commercial building in the world'.  It's slim width is due to the City expropriating a lot from businessman Chang Toy (known to the caucasian community as Sam Kee) to widen Pender Street, refusing to compensate him for the remaining sliver of property that had little value. Toy accepted a bet from a friend that he couldn't build something usable on the site, and proved him wrong. The building is just 6 feet wide at ground level, with projecting bay windows on the second floor and a full basement that runs underneath the sidewalk above.  It was bought by the Jack Chow Insurance Company in 1986, who put in lights and windows to showcase the unique property. (1913 photo from Vancouver City Archives)

The unusual architecture of this well-preserved 1911 building make it stand out on this block of century-old buildings in Chinatown.  The style is called "Victorian Italianate" and it reflects the wide variety of architectural designs for commercial buildings in the early years of the 20th century. It housed the Great Northern Transfer Company for many years, adding to its heritage value. (1914 photo from Vancouver City Archives).  

Vancouver-based cookware store Ming Wo opened in this spot in 1917, and lasted for over a century here. The building itself was constructed in 1913 by Wong Soon King, one of Chinatown's wealthiest and most successful businessmen. It's distinct Chinatown style architectural features (a recessed balcony, glazed upper floors, classic metal cornice) earned it a heritage designation in 2003. You can still visit Ming Wo's stores in Kitsilano and on Granville Street. (1924 photo from Vancouver Photo Archives).

Only the building on the far left remains from this 1920 photo. The D.J. Elmer building was originally home to a milling company that manufactured rolled oats. McQueen Produce was a warehouse at one time. Many other tenants have come and gone. The current structure provides housing for the urban aboriginal community.  (1920 photo from Vancouver City Archive). 

This 1909 photo shows the inaugural run of the 4th Avenue line, which ran from the Granville Bridge to Alma Street. Vancouver had a pretty robust transit network in the early 1900s, consisting of streetcars like this one, as well as the BC Electric Railway's Interurban trains. You can see a map of the network in 1923 here. (1909 photo from Vancouver City Archives). 

The first Showboat was constructed in 1935 during the height of the Depression.  Run entirely by volunteers, the venue has been offering spectacular views and free entertainment every summer. The City condemned the building after a fire in April of 2023 destroyed most of the infrastructure. However, plans are now under way to rebuild it. (1967 photo from the Museum of Vancouver).