Sam Kee Building
8 West Pender Street (Map)

At only 6 feet wide, this phenomenal structure has been recognized by Ripley's Believe It or Not as the world's narrowest building. The Sam Kee Company, owned by merchant Chang Toy, dominated early trade in Chinatown. Originally Chang Toy owned a 30 Ft. lot on this site but most of it was appropriated by the city of Vancouver in 1912 in order to widen Pender Street. According to local legend, Chang Toy's neighbor was eagerly waiting to purchase the remaining 6 Ft. of seemingly useless piece of property for a bargain. Just to frustrate him, Chang Toy had this building constructed. The basement with its' public bath house, was the only place to get a hot bath in Chinatown at the time. There were offices and shops on the ground floor with living quarters above, making it not only the narrowest but also the most efficient building.