Canton Block

On December 13, 2019 the Heritage Calgary board approved the following site to be updated to the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources. Learn more about this site below.

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Canton Block (1910-1911)
200-216 Centre ST SE, Chinatown 

A group of Chinese businessmen, including W. R. Wing and Luey Kheong, bought this first property to establish Calgary’s current Chinatown. After enduring the Chinatown Relocation Issue of 1910, they proceeded to construct the Canton Block. (People Value, City-wide Significance)

The Canton Block is a rare surviving example of the Edwardian Commercial style that originally dominated early Chinatown development. The red brick façade, storefront doorways with large display windows, upper floor symmetrical bays of rectangular windows, and a raised parapet with a pressed metal cornice along the width of the building are representative of a chosen western architectural style for the first building in Chinatown. (Style Value, Community Significance)

The Canton Block built in 1910-11, is significant as the first building constructed by Chinese-immigrant owners to establish Calgary’s current Chinatown after numerous years and events that left the Chinese feeling dislocated within Calgary. (Symbolic Value, Community Significance)

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