Yue Shan Society Buildings

The Yue Shan Society is an organization for people from Poon Yue county near Guangzhou. Originally formed in 1894 under the name Chong Hoo, the society underwent a number of name changes. By 1943, it took its present name and raised money by share sales to buy the building next door at 33-39 E Pender Street. Influenced by the South China shop house style, this building was designed and constructed in 1920 by architect W.H. Chow.

Although not recognized legally as an architect because of his Chinese origin, Chow worked on many Chinatown buildings. The Yue Shan Society owns this 2 story building which is one of the oldest existing in Chinatown (from 1898) and the building on the back of the headquarters building facing, Market Alley.

These three buildings simulate a central courtyard structure common in China at the turn of the 20th century. The Market Alley building was used as a dormitory for members visiting Vancouver, especially in the post-war period and continues as a rooming house today. Yue Shan is now more focused on recreational and social affairs.

Source

Canada's Historic Places, VHF's Chinatown Map Guide

More information

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11192