The federal government designated Chinatown a national historic site October 13, following many years of prodding from Vancouver’s Chinese community.
“We’ve been fighting for this status for five to seven years,” S.U.C.C.E.S.S. CEO Thomas Tam told Business in Vancouver after the announcement.
“This gives Vancouver another appeal for the tourists. When they come to Vancouver, they must choose where to go. If they see that Chinatown is a national historic site, this may increase the attraction for them.”
He does not believe the neighbourhood’s new designation will make it more difficult to develop structures in Chinatown that are not already classified by the City of Vancouver as heritage buildings.
Instead, he believes that it will be easier for owners of heritage-designated structures in the area to attract tenants.
Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom