Standing on Keefer Street, right in front of the imposing brick building with its striking pine green bay windows, you might be struck by the feeling that the place is alive with a vibrant energy. This is Keefer Rooms, a building steeped in history and a true anchor of Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Built in 1912, Keefer Rooms was originally a single-room occupancy (SRO) building with 74 rooms. Over the years, its function changed, and today it stands as a haven for low-income residents.
The Keefer Rooms have witnessed a lot of the city’s changing landscape. What started as a bustling, vibrant community, filled with families and small businesses, became a more gentrified neighborhood. But the building has persevered, providing refuge and community for those who call it home.
Keefer Rooms is more than just a building; it’s a testament to the resilience of Chinatown and the importance of providing affordable housing in the city. After a fire forced the building’s closure in 2022, the province stepped in to purchase it, ensuring its future as a supportive housing space.
As you stand here looking at the building, a sense of hope hangs in the air. It’s a place where people are working to create a community built on belonging, resilience, and support, a testament to the power of community in the face of adversity.