Historic Keefer Rooms Building in Vancouver's Chinatown Set for Restoration by B.C. Housing
A significant heritage structure in Vancouver's historic Chinatown district is poised for a major revitalization project led by the provincial housing authority. The Keefer Rooms building, constructed in 1912 at 222 Keefer Street, has remained empty since September 2022 when a devastating fire originated in the ground-floor Gain Wah restaurant.
Fire Damage and Displacement
The 2022 blaze displaced thirty-nine residents who occupied single-room-occupancy units on the upper floors of the four-storey building. The Gain Wah restaurant, a longtime Chinatown establishment known for affordable Cantonese diner dishes, was completely gutted in the incident. The provincial government's B.C. Housing agency purchased the property in October 2023 for $8.2 million, recognizing both its heritage value and its importance to the community's housing stock.
Restoration Proposal Details
B.C. Housing has recently submitted a comprehensive development proposal to the City of Vancouver that outlines extensive rehabilitation work. The plan calls for:
- Rehabilitating and upgrading all four floors of the historic structure
- Reducing the number of single-room-occupancy units from forty-five to forty-one
- Complete replacement of fire protection, life safety, mechanical, electrical, and security systems
- Seismic and structural upgrades to meet modern building standards
- Preservation of the building's distinctive heritage features including its handsome brick facade, bay windows, and decorative sheet metal cornices
The City of Vancouver is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal through its Shape Your City website until March 30.
Community Impact and Future Plans
Wendy Pedersen of the Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society expressed gratitude for B.C. Housing's intervention. "We're losing privately owned SROs, so we're really grateful that B.C. Housing bought this SRO and took it out of the market and are going to reopen the rooms," she stated. The building will be managed by the Downtown Eastside Community Land Trust once renovations are complete.
The restoration plan includes returning the Gain Wah restaurant to the main floor, though it will now be operated by the SRO Collaborative Society rather than the original owner who has since retired. Pedersen emphasized the restaurant's importance to community food security, noting it provided "food security for Chinese seniors and Downtown Eastside residents" through affordable meals typically priced under ten dollars.
Architectural Significance and Current Condition
Despite showing signs of weathering and extensive graffiti on its west wall, the Keefer Rooms building remains one of Chinatown's most distinctive heritage structures. Its architectural character includes the original painted sign in both English and Chinese that identifies the building. The interior will essentially be rebuilt from the studs outward while preserving the historic exterior elements that contribute to the neighborhood's visual identity.
While the exact renovation costs haven't been disclosed by deadline, the project represents a significant investment in both heritage preservation and affordable housing. The SRO Collaborative Society has maintained contact with former tenants, with hopes that some may return once renovations are complete, though Pedersen acknowledged that some former residents have passed away since the fire.
This restoration initiative comes at a critical time for Vancouver's housing landscape, balancing the preservation of historic architecture with the urgent need for safe, affordable living spaces in one of the city's most culturally significant neighborhoods.
