Key Features
- Located in pedestrian-friendly Chinatown and close to public transit
- Key access through lane entryway
- 12 units for individual artists or non-profit offices (main and upper floor)
- Semi-enclosed or fully-enclosed units
- Ceiling heights ranging from 8–10’
- Monthly rents range from $303 to $1,796
- Unit sizes range from 130 to 611 square feet
- Two bathrooms and shared kitchenette
- Shared washout sink with sediment trap
Eligibility for Studios
Individuals must:
- self-identify as an Artist;
- be the age of majority;
- be living in BC;
- intend on using the premises in a manner that is compatible with facility purposes and capacity
Small cultural nonprofits or businesses must:
- operate a genuine arts and cultural non-profit organization or small cultural business in BC; and
- intend on using the premises in a manner that is compatible with facility purposes and capacity
Unit Information
The 12 units at 222 E Georgia include:
- Key access through lane entryway
- Semi-enclosed and fully-enclosed units
- Ceiling heights ranging from 8–10’
- Monthly rents range from $303 to $1,796
- Unit sizes range from 130 to 611 square feet
- Two bathrooms and shared kitchenette
- Shared washout sink with sediment trap
Building Amenities
- Washout Sink
- Lunch Area – lunch area that includes seating, cabinetry, a kettle, microwave and shared fridge on the ground floor
- Bathrooms – two bathrooms
- Shared WIFI
- Waste Collection – shared garbage and recycling area
Accessibility
Unfortunately 222 is not wheelchair accessible.
Rents and General Terms
- Rental rate is based on factors such as square footage, condition and features of the space.
- Units are subleased on a 1-year term and may be longer on a case-by-case basis
- A one-month security deposit is required
- Tenants must follow 221A’s hazardous materials policy
- Included in rent: BC hydro, Fortis gas, water and sewage, shared Telus internet, headlease rent, property taxes, waste/recycling, cleaning services (common areas), interior and exterior building maintenance, tenancy arrangements, and administration
- No GST on rent as 221A is a registered Canadian charitable organization and is exempt from collecting GST on real property.
Unit Types
The following table is for illustrative purposes only. Inquire above for up-to-date studio availability.
| Unit Type | No, of Units | Quality Features | Unit Square Footage | Common Area* | Monthly Rental Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A, B, or C | 6 | Windows, natural light (skylight) | 142 to 611 | 28% | $359 to $1,796 |
| D, G | 6 | Artificial lighting, 8–10' ceilings | 130 to 468 | 28% | $303 to $807 |
Access Gallery at 222
Founded in 1991, Access Gallery is an independent artist-run centre with a mission to create conditions of emergence for provocative ideas and work in the visual arts. Access Gallery is a non-profit organization and anchor tenant of the 222 E Georgia since 2011. The gallery focuses on enabling critical conversations and risk taking through new configurations of artists, audience, and community. Please note that Access Gallery is not operated by 221A, please contact the gallery directly for any questions. For more information please visit https://accessgallery.ca.
History of 221A at 222
222 is a storefront space and two-storey annex building used as a non-profit art gallery and artist studios. The unit is part of a larger mixed-use building at 224 E Georgia Street, owned by the longstanding non-profit Chinese Benevolent Association Yee Fung Toy Society of Canada. The Yees operate their Vancouver chapter and Canadian headquarters out of the building in the adjacent storefront unit at 226 E Georgia Street, where one can also hear the sounds of mahjong tiles clacking on a daily basis until late in the evening. The second and third floors are managed by the Yees as 12 units of low-income housing. Some residential tenants have been in the building for over four decades.
Now used as a non-profit art gallery and artist studios, the 222 E Georgia space was formerly leased by a small appliances wholesaler specializing in rice cookers and kitchen supplies called Universe Houseware Appliances. 221A has also learned that for a very long period, the space was used by Starboard Pant Factory, a business that manufactured and sold french-cut jeans on site.
As part of 221A's initial occupancy of the facility in 2011, the organization was required to resolve a range of fire-safety concerns. Aside from a microfiche dated to the 1940s, the City archives had very little in the way of regulatory drawings on file. Since 221A was (at that time) operated exclusively by volunteers, it took over 70 volunteers to complete the first phase of renovations — brought together through a spirit of trust and friendship.
Further into its leasehold tenure, 221A was able to receive more substantive capital grants from three levels of government to support upgrades to the facility, including: an expanded and upgraded sprinkler system, fire-rated exit corridors, improved stairwells and structural laminations. The upgrades required 221A to navigate opaque zoning and building regulation while shouldering attendant financial risks.
The capital grants allowed 221A to undertake various costly fire-safety upgrades without impacting overall rental rates, which would have made the space untenable. Typically, changes to older buildings are only feasible for business-savvy landlords who are able to increase rental rates or who place the onus on businesses capable of charging higher rates for goods and services.
221A learned that safety upgrades are often 'not on the table' for Chinatown Family Clan associations like the Yees. Often, no capital reserve funds are in place as associations have prioritized lower overhead costs, creating savings that were passed on to their tenants, who often faced economic hardship during immigration. The deterioration of building conditions and the health of those who occupy them can make private development attractive, despite the well-understood impacts of gentrification. The ability to make critical upgrades through capital funds, despite the treacherous path of building repairs, can be crucial to mitigating the pace of development while allowing for a form of cultural renewal not premised on wholesale dispossession.
221A is inspired by the history of Chinatown and Chinese Benevolent Societies—one of blossoming culture despite the presence of intense racial discrimination—in thinking and planning the future of the neighbourhood. Despite the end of the 'heyday' of Chinatown, a long-standing principle of collective ownership is woven into the fabric of many of the Chinese Benevolent Societies.
Studio FAQ
How does 221A define who is an Artist?
221A defines an Artist as someone who has developed skills through training (not necessarily in an academic institution) or practice in any creative discipline, is recognized by Artists working in the same artistic practice, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work, and actively practices their art. This can include—but is not limited to—:
- Someone who works or is skilled in any of the fine arts, including but not limited to, painting, drawing, sculpture, literary, calligraphy, printmaking and mixed-media.
- Someone who creates imaginative works, including but not limited to literature, poetry, photography, music composition, choreography, architecture, video game designers, film and video.
- Someone who creates functional art, including but not limited to jewellery, rugs, decorative screens, lighting, furniture, pottery.
- A performer, including but not limited to, musicians, singers, dancers, actors, performance artists.
- Someone who practices culturally-specific forms of art or craft, including but not limited to Indigenous language, weaving, carving, knowledge transmission through storytelling.
- Someone who organizes cultural activities including cultural workers and curators.
- Someone involved in culturally significant practices, including culture bearer or practitioner, designer, technician, tattoo artist, hairdresser, chef/culinary artist, craftsperson, cultural workers dedicated to using their expertise within the community to support, promote, present, and/or teach and propagate their art form through events, activities, performance and classes.
How does 221A define who is a non-profit cultural organization?
221A defines a “Non-Profit Cultural Organization” as an incorporated or unincorporated organization that includes as its primary objectives the non-profit creation and/or presentation of artistic or cultural practices or educational activities associated with the creation or presentation of artistic or cultural practices.
How are tenants selected?
Tenants are selected through an open process based on the eligibility guidelines of the premises. Where there are multiple eligible parties, submissions will be ranked by staff or a selection committee based on:
- Alignment with 221A vision and values
- Quality of artistic practice and impact on career, and
- Impact on field and community.
Priority is given to people who are from communities that are historically excluded from access to cultural spaces, which may include:
- Black people or people of African descent
- Deaf and hard of hearing people
- Disabled people or people who live with mental health challenges
- Low-income people
- LGBTQ2+ and gender diverse people
- Host nations Indigenous people (Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-waututh people)
- Indigenous peoples (of Canada)
- Indigenous peoples (outside of Canada)
- Racialized people
- Refugees, newcomers, and undocumented people
- Seniors
- Women and girls
- Youth
Additional information may be requested by the staff to support ranking of the applications.
Do I get to choose which unit I want?
Prospective tenants can indicate their preferences and space needs through the inquiry form to help us suggest which units fit your needs. We will then arrange tours for you to view unit(s). If there are competing submissions for a unit, 221A will use the selection and ranking criteria above to determine the order of lease offers.
What if I would like a lease that is longer than 1 year?
Leases longer than 1 year will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Leases longer than 3-years will require additional approval from 221A's the Board of Directors.
How are the rental rates set?
Tenant/subtenant rental rates are established on an annual basis through 221A’s Annual Budget through the principles of “cost-recovery”. Cost recovery principles take the total cost of each Service premise, including: rent, property taxes, utilities, maintenance, waste management, insurance, and other operating costs, as well as reasonable management costs, and taking into account any forms of government or private revenues or subsidies otherwise received that together are used as the basis to determine rental rates. Rates also include a maintenance reserve for long-term capital replacement of building systems. Rental rates are cross-checked against affordability data and in consideration of unit quality compared to other non-market facilities within the city.
How is rent collected?
Tenants enter into a Pre-Authorized Debit Agreement with 221A, which withdraws monthly rent payments directly from tenant/subtenants’ bank accounts.
What happens if a tenant is unable to pay their rent?
221A has an Emergency Assistance Fund used to support tenants facing financial hardship. Tenants must meet certain requirements such as emergency health or financial hardship to be able to receive rental assistance from the Emergency Assistance Fund.
Am I allowed to make alterations to my unit?
Any permanent or potentially permanent alteration, including, but not limited to, architectural or structural installations, electrical alterations, plumbing alterations and heavy equipment installation require approval from 221A. All subleases have an alteration clause that should be reviewed by tenant/subtenants.
Am I allowed to sublet my unit?
Tenants are not allowed to sublease their units without express approval from 221A. All subleases have a subletting clause that should be reviewed by tenants.
Who owns 221A?
There is no owner of 221A. 221A is a non-profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act. Like most non-profits, 221A is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and operations are managed by a qualified staff.
How are decisions made about the building?
Significant changes to the building are approved by the 221A Board of Directors and the building landlord, in consultation with building occupants and stakeholders.
Does 221A make profit from the building?
221A is a non-profit organization and sets rental rates on a cost recovery basis. Revenues generated from the facility cover the costs to operate the facility and are not used to cross-subsidize operations outside of the facility.
Building FAQ
Are there residential or live-work units at 222?
No. All units are work-only rental units for office or administrative use, or artist studios and arts production use.
What is included in the rent?
The rental rates cover the majority of costs for the function of the facility, such as day-to-day and planned long-term maintenance and proportional common area costs. This includes: BC hydro, Fortis gas, water and sewage, shared Telus PureFiber internet, headlease rent, property taxes, waste/recycling, cleaning services (common areas), interior and exterior building maintenance, fire system and emergency generator, tenancy arrangements, and administration. It also includes access to the shared meeting room.
What is not included in the rent that tenants should expect to pay?
Tenants are also responsible for insurance and expenses related to tenants own practice/operations, cleanliness, supplies and furnishings. Tenants will be required to carry Commercial General Liability Insurance. CGL insurance provides basic coverage for businesses and can cost upwards of $1,500 per annum. 221A anticipates having in place an insurance certificate that can be purchased at a lower rate. In the past, 221A has been able to provide these certificates for approximately $300 per year per studio. If tenants require additional storage outside of their unit, storage units are also available for rent on a monthly basis.
What are the operating hours of the building?
The building is accessible 24/7 by key.
Can I have guests come to my studio?
Yes. Tenants may have guests. Tenants are responsible for their guests, especially considering any activity in shared Common Areas and spaces outside of their unit.
What art practices are allowed?
222 E Georgia accommodates many different kinds of practices. During the tenant screening process we will inquire with the applicant what materials are involved in the making of their practice, especially concerning scent and noise levels pertaining to tool use and general foot traffic within the space. 221A provides the applicant with a Hazardous Materials Policy Manual as part of the on-boarding process, to declare any potential toxic materials used in their practice so that we can make recommendations for proper disposal and safety measures.
Are pets allowed?
Personal guide animals are permitted, with pets being considered on a case-by-case basis. If approved, we ask that the animal be under supervision at all times.
Is there bike and vehicle parking?
There is no bike lockers or tenant parking available in the building. Street parking in Chinatown is available as well as monthly parking at parkades within walking distance. Public bike racks are located on Georgia Street. Tenants may store bikes within their unit but are not allowed to park bikes in hallways and common areas.
Is there a loading bay?
There is no loading bay at 222 E Georgia St.
Sublease Inquiry
For sublease inquiries and tour requests, please fill out and submit the form below. We will get back to you shortly after we receive your submission.
Note that this form pertains to commercial studio spaces only.
Application Assistance
To ensure the participation of people living with disabilities, people who do not have access to specific technology, and/or people who otherwise require assistance, staff will offer telephone or in-person assistance for the completion of the following forms and documentation as well as to support participation in site tours and orientation. Please contact 221A’s Spaces Coordinator to arrange application assistance at spaces@221a.ca.