Looking east. Note the building on the right with the bay windows is a separate building
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Sam Kee Building Vancouver

4.1
·43 reviews·Vancouver, Canada

The world's narrowest commercial building, a 1913 architectural marvel in Vancouver's Chinatown.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime

Best light for photos

CrowdMedium
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Looking east. Note the building on the right with the bay windows is a separate building

Sam Kee Building Vancouver

Best Time

Daytime

Best light for photos

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

The world's narrowest commercial building, a 1913 architectural marvel in Vancouver's Chinatown.

4.1
(43 reviews)

"Worth checking out if you’re in the area. Fun Panda exhibit."

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Photo Op Alert

Capture its unique narrowness! Best viewed from across the street.

🚶‍♀️ Explore Chinatown

Combine your visit with nearby shops and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.1 · 43 reviews

Type

Landmark

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

World's Narrowest Building

World's Narrowest Building

A Guinness World Record holder, this 1.5m deep building is a testament to ingenuity and defiance.

Instagram
Chinatown Charm

Chinatown Charm

Discover this architectural marvel nestled within the bustling streets of Vancouver's historic Chinatown.

Instagram
Architectural Ingenuity

Architectural Ingenuity

Built in 1913, it's a clever response to land acquisition, showcasing a unique design.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Narrow

The Sam Kee Building is famously the world's narrowest commercial building. Prepare for a unique visual experience and understand its historical context as a defiant architectural feat. Instagram

Chinatown Exploration

Located in Vancouver's vibrant Chinatown, the Sam Kee Building is best enjoyed as part of a larger exploration of the neighborhood's rich culture, shops, and eateries. Instagram

Best Times

When
Daytime
Why
Best light for photos
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekdays
Why
Fewer crowds
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Help me please!!!! Do you live beside costco chinatown station? Dm me on 👀geee #vancouver #photographer #photoshoot #chinatown
@jesswetz4
44.3K likes • 1M views

📸 Photo Op Alert

Capture its unique narrowness! Best viewed from across the street. TikTokInstagram

🚶‍♀️ Explore Chinatown

Combine your visit with nearby shops and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Instagram

Your Vancouver tour guide has arrived 🫡 PART 1: COMMERCIAL DRIVE 💛 Also, let’s play a game of “how many times does Sam say the following”: - we’re gonna 🤠 - cool 🤠 - local 🤠 #vancouverbc #vancouverguide #thingstodoinvancouver #vancouvercoffeeshop #vancouvershopping #eastvancouver #commercialdrivevancouver #vancouversandwich
@omgheysam
27.1K likes • 264K views
. . 🐍🐼🏡 Once the narrowest commercial building in the world (4’11” at its base!), the Sam Kee Building is a quirky piece of history you don’t want to miss! Built in 1913 by the Sam Kee Company, it was a clever response to a city land acquisition that left the original lot too small for standard development. With ingenuity and a touch of defiance, this architectural marvel was born. Step back in t...
enjoy_vancouver
605 likes • 33.8K views

💡 Historical Context

Learn about its history as a defiant build after land expropriation. Reddit

📍 Location, Location!

Find it at 8 West Pender Street in Vancouver's Chinatown. Instagram

🌟 Discover the Sam Kee Building, the world’s narrowest commercial marvel, tucked away in Vancouver! 🏢💫 Follow for more hidden gem and stories 🥰 #VancouverLife #CityExplorers #HiddenGems #CulturalHeritage #explorewithus #vancouver
vancouver.town
97 likes • 5.2K views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Photo Op Alert

Capture its unique narrowness! Best viewed from across the street. TikTokInstagram

🚶‍♀️ Explore Chinatown

Combine your visit with nearby shops and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Instagram

💡 Historical Context

Learn about its history as a defiant build after land expropriation. Reddit

📍 Location, Location!

Find it at 8 West Pender Street in Vancouver's Chinatown. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.1
(43 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the Sam Kee Building a unique and worthwhile stop, especially for its Guinness World Record status as the world's narrowest commercial building. Its historical significance and quirky architecture are highlights, making it a quick but memorable photo opportunity within Vancouver's vibrant Chinatown. Some note it's more of an exterior viewing experience than an interior attraction.

"Guinness World Record Skinniest Building in the World. Worth checking out if you’re in the area. Fun Panda exhibit."

Kai’ula

"I had never seen a Guinness World Record holder before. I was a little surprised that it’s not totally free standing, but it is very narrow. Worth a visit on your next trip to Chinatown."

Kate Carter

"Fun place to visit, you can also see Dr. Sun Yet-sang park nearby."

Mike Chu

What People Like

Guinness World Record holder
Unique narrow architecture
Historical significance

What People Dislike

Exterior viewing only

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Sam Kee Building is located at 8 West Pender Street in Vancouver's Chinatown. It's easily accessible by public transit, with several bus routes stopping nearby. If you're coming from downtown, it's a pleasant walk or a short bus ride. TikTokInstagram

Street parking can be challenging in Chinatown. There are several paid parking lots and parkades in the vicinity, such as the Chinatown Parkade. Consider public transport or ride-sharing for convenience. TikTok

The best way to appreciate its narrowness is to view it from across the street. You can get great photos from Pender Street. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, the Sam Kee Building is an exterior architectural landmark. You can view and photograph it from the street for free. Instagram

As it's an exterior building, there are no specific opening hours. You can view it at any time, though daytime offers the best light for photography. Instagram

There is no entrance fee to see the Sam Kee Building from the outside. It's a public landmark. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The Sam Kee Building is famous for being the world's narrowest commercial building, measuring only 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) deep at its base. InstagramReddit

The primary activity is admiring and photographing its unique, narrow architecture. It's a great spot for a quick photo opportunity and to learn about its history. Instagram

While you can view the exterior, the building itself is a commercial property and not typically open for public interior tours. Accessibility for viewing from the street is generally good. Instagram

The Sam Kee Building is in Vancouver's Chinatown, close to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, various shops, restaurants, and the International Village Mall. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

Daytime offers the best natural light for capturing the building's unique dimensions. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon can provide good lighting without harsh shadows. TikTok

Photographing from across the street on Pender Street gives you the full view of its narrow facade. Experiment with different perspectives to emphasize its slim profile. Instagram

Some visitors have sought creative shots, even attempting to photograph from adjacent buildings if possible, though this is not standard. The most common and effective photos are from the street. TikTok

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