Vancouver’s Chinatown Revitalization Program was initiated in 1999 and seeks to preserve the district’s unique heritage. Chinatown, one of the City’s earliest commercial and residential districts, is rich with culture and history and has played a key role in the shaping of Vancouver’s cultural identity.

Morrison Hershfield has been retained by Jameson Development Corporation as part of a team lead by Walter Francl Architect Inc. for the redevelopment of the historic Wing Sang Building. Located at 51 East Pender Street, this is the oldest building in Chinatown. It was built in 1889 and was once the residence of Yip Sang, a wealthy Chinese merchant who owned much of early Chinatown. As well, it functioned as the headquarters of the Wing Sang Company, which grew to become one of the region’s largest import-export businesses.

Morrison Hershfield will provide building envelope consulting services for the design and construction phases of the project, which involves the modification of the existing heritage structure into gallery space while retaining the heritage facades and some of the existing wood framed windows. The ultimate desire is to incorporate as much of the historic fabric of the building as possible into the restoration process.