Ming Wo Building

Constructed in 1913, the Ming Wo Building was the first building with street frontage known to have been designed by W.H. Chow, the only identified Chinese-Canadian architect practicing at the time. Ming Wo Hardware has been located here since 1917. It is one of the longest operating businesses in Chinatown.

Wong Soon King, who owned the building, was one of Chinatown’s wealthiest and most successful businessman. He was a co-founder of the outspoken Chinese Board of Trade, which campaigned City Hall for improvements in Chinatown, such as sidewalks.

The building shows all the characteristics of the distinct ‘Chinatown architectural style’ for substantial buildings: vertical proportions; four storeys, with one or more of the upper floors featuring recessed balconies and others fully glazed; and a classical metal cornice.

The use of space within the building conforms to the representative pattern in Chinatown, with retail on the ground floor, and offices, meeting rooms and small residential rooms designed to accommodate ‘married bachelors’ on the upper floors. Tenants on the upper floors included Kong Chow Benevolent Association and the Hong Kong Club.

Source

Canada's Historic Places, City of Vancouver Heritage Conservation Program

More information

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=7833