Chinese Freemasons Building
City of Vancouver Heritage Building
The Chi Kung Tong, later the Chinese Freemasons, purchased this building in 1907. It included meeting rooms, a male dormitory and a Chinese school - uses common to Chinese Society Buildings. The Chi Kung Tong assisted early immigrants from China who took part in the Cariboo gold rush. The Freemasons were also intensively involved in the politics of China, including Dr. Sun-Yat Sen's efforts to bring democracy to his native country. Built in 1901, the building blends Victorian style along the Carrall Street side with traditional Chinese style - recessed balconies and ironwork - along the Pender Street side. It was renovated in 1913 for the Bank of Vancouver. In 1975, the two facades were retained as part of a redevelopment, an early effort to integrate historic preservation into urban development in Vancouver. In 2007 it was rehabilitated to incorporate seniors housing.
Marker is at the intersection of West Pender Street and Carrall Street, on the right when traveling west on West Pender Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
