WAH YING MANSION
1986
Architects: Clark James Coupland
INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
1961
Schematic rendering of the buildings that stood here, according to the footprint indicated on the 1961 fire insurance maps.
INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
1911
Schematic rendering of the industrial buildings that stood here, according to the footprints indicated on the 1911 fire insurance maps.
Interview
WITH STEVEN LEE (CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER & MANAGER OF THE WAH YING MANSION)
+ How long have you been involved in Chinatown?
I came back to Calgary in 1988 and joined the Calgary Chinese Cultural Center Association in December 1988 before it was built. I left there in 2002.
+ When was this building constructed?
The building was built between 1986-1988. It belongs to the Alberta government and is managed by the Calgary Chinatown Seniors Housing Society. Victor Mah used to be the president here and worked with the government to get this built.
The building is public housing for seniors, so they pay 30% of their income for rent. The building consists of senior residences and there’s a patio and back garden outside.
+ What was on this land before this building was built? How was the land acquired?
I believe this was Alberta government land, and perhaps there were old houses here before.
+ Who is the architect for this building?
Clark James Coupland
Architectural drawings
WAH YING MANSION
Title block detail and site plan of the Wah Ying Mansion, a project with the Alberta Housing Corporation and the United Chinese Association.
Sign-off is dated July 1986.
1987 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Wah Ying Mansion
Photograph taken in 1987 by John Coats.
CURRENT DAY BUILDING PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs taken in 2020.
