Comments on: Wing Sang Building

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 20:44:33 +0000

Visiting the building and the beautiful museum now housed within it, I twigged that this was also once the location of the Yen Lok Restaurant… beloved of my childhood. Any information about the years between the building serving as a warehouse and it’s restoration into a gallery and museum space?

By: smokeapuff

smokeapuff — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 15:42:05 +0000

I would love to visit this place one day!

By: Helen L

Helen L — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 05:26:40 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. Hi Eve, W.H. Chow was refused admission into the AIBC due to racism. I am conducting research on him and have found some interesting information but there is still a lot to uncover! Hopefully I can share publicly one day!

By: James

James — Mon, 17 May 2021 14:50:04 +0000

Great story and lots of comments. Ah Bob Rennie. The devil or not. When he changed teams he became more into giving back.
I believe Carol Lee Bob’s daughter and George’s ( older George owned 1 Water st , 2 Water Steet and so forth) niece offices are there. She ownes Chinatown BBQ on Powel just down from New Town. Only meat , rice ans one veg she brouht back the old style. Spicing is flawless with cinnemon not cassia and so forth and used with a lighter hand.
Very good and in tun has elevated New Town as well.
My lament is Shanghai Alley!
Tragic!

By: Sandra

Sandra — Mon, 17 May 2021 01:26:35 +0000

That was a great story! I would love to go on that tour one day through that building!

By: David Laidlaw

David Laidlaw — Sun, 16 May 2021 20:55:38 +0000

Hi Eve,
Fascinating story , there is so darn much history in this city and in fact most of the Province , fine work and much appreciated ,
Cheers,
Dave
PS. I’m 80 now but if I had it to do over again I would be either a historian or an Archeologist , never could decide which😁

By: Leslie

Leslie — Sun, 16 May 2021 17:32:53 +0000

Beautiful and lovely to see. What’s interesting too is that the tiny building to the left is still there, with red window frames. What is that building? Thank you.

By: Anthony Maw

Anthony Maw — Sat, 15 May 2021 18:41:47 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. There is a hidden mall behind those buildings with store fronts. There is also a very narrow walkway with a red steel gate off Pender Street. The hidden relic mall is city owned public sidewalk but both entrances are normally locked to prevent illicit activities. If you’re interested to check it out I can get access through the athletic club who’s back door goes into the hidden mall. Drop me an email to arrange for a time.

By: Dr. William Ellis

Dr. William Ellis — Sat, 15 May 2021 16:08:10 +0000

Eve, do you know anything about W.H Chow? He appears as the co-architect on several old buildings in Chinatown. Apparently established White architects would lend their license to his projects so he could build. There are a few online references one can google, such as the one in the “Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada.” But no one seems to know when he was born or died.

By: Anthony Maw

Anthony Maw — Sat, 15 May 2021 14:46:01 +0000

What is not obvious is that when these buildings were erected there was that there were buildings built facing the alley behind the Wing Sang building and additionally there was a narrow walkway passage between the buildings facing Pender street and the alley behind it. It is similar to the “Fan Tan Alley” in Victoria. There is still a remnant of the old pedestrian walkway area that can sometimes be accessed by that small short storefront immediately adjacent to the Wing Sang building west.