In the spirit of our mission, we engage in community initiatives that are meaningful and impactful.
Chinatown Plaza Reimagined
The Plaza
Located at 180 Keefer Street, the creation of the Chinatown Plaza in 1995 was an important victory for Chinatown’s merchants. Comprising a main retail concourse, street-level storefronts, office and healthcare spaces, a 1,000-seat Chinese restaurant, and a large parkade, the Plaza has a distinct place and presence in Chinatown. It was through the staunch advocacy of VCMA members, along with the contributions of community friends and individual business leaders, that this amenity was made possible.
The Challenge
Today, the Chinatown Plaza is but a shadow of its former self. The empty stores and declining patronage are a sad sight. So much more is possible with this city-owned property. The challenge in front of us is to revive the Plaza, and unlock its ability to support the local economy and community. The hope is for it to be a ‘magnet’ again, drawing people in with unique experiences, and serving as a launchpad for food and cultural businesses that enrich Chinatown’s culture.
The Project
VCMA and Chinatown BIA are working with the City of Vancouver in a project to transform Chinatown Plaza into a vibrant space that celebrates the district’s culture and fosters economic growth. It follows from Vancouver Council’s decision (June 5, 2024) to establish a Chinatown Cultural District, and to make much better use of city-owned properties. We are currently engaging with Chinatown businesses, gathering ideas and insight from their experience to develop a compelling Concept Vision.
Stay tuned for updates and for ways to share your voice in this important initiative!
Created by Dunefield | Wilco van Bemmel, Susan Ma, Albert Lam | Photo and video: Brenda Xiong | Additional images: Jim Wong-Chu, Wilco van Bemmel, Susan Ma, Rob Kruyt, Ben Geisberg, Haeccity, Kayla Isomura and René Pierre | This work was made possible by funding contributions of the City of Vancouver through the Special Enterprise Program, and of Heritage BC through the Heritage Legacy Fund.
由 Dunefield 創作 | Wilco van Bemmel、Susan Ma、Albert Lam | 攝影和錄像：Brenda Xiong | 額外圖片：朱藹信、Wilco van Bemmel、Susan Ma、Rob Kruyt、Ben Geisberg、Haeccity、Kayla Isomura 和 René Pierre | 這個項目是由溫哥華市政府通過特殊企業計劃，和卑詩文化遺產協會轄下的文化遺產基金提供資助而得以完成。