Toy had purchased the standard sized lot in 1902 at the corner of Carrall and Pender street.
The steel-framed Sam Kee Building is a fully functioning commercial structure with a ground floor measuring only 411.
The basement extends as far again beneath the sidewalk.
The building originally had retail shops on the ground floor while the upper floor was used for residential units.
The basement contained public baths and barber chairs serving the Chinese community.
It has been restored twice, once in 1966 and then again in 1986.
Photo credit:Paul R/Panoramio
Green paint denotes entire width of building.
Photo credit:buildingvancouver.wordpress.com
The stairs inside Sam Kee Building.
Photo credit:Frank Fujimoto/Flickr
Inside Sam Kee Building.
Photo credit:www.straight.com
Photo credit:Bobanny/Wikimedia
Sources:Wikipedia/Canada’s Historic Places/Spacing Vancouver
