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Inside The Keefer’s Superfly New Chinatown Penthouse Suite

Portrait
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Looking left from the private elevator entrance (note the glass bottomed rooftop pool in the ceiling)

I’ve been doing research for a new Van Mag story this week and it has been keeping me in and around Chinatown. One space that I’ve been really interested in is The Keefer, a completely renovated building at 135 Keefer (the same block as Bao Bei). When Scout first broke the news of its coming back in August it was going to be a boutique hotel. They’ve now changed the concept to include just four boutique luxury short term rental suites – the sort of digs movie stars and big wigs enjoy. The owner, Cam Watt, gave me a tour last night with bar manager Danielle Tatarin (one of my favourite bartenders, lately of DB Bistro). The Keefer Bar is still very much a tangled mess of construction, so much so that it didn’t warrant a photo. What stoked me on the visit instead was the finished penthouse suite, complete with Douglas Coupland tripping the light fantastic on the walls, a glass-bottomed pool ceiling, and just about the nicest rooftop deck I’ve ever seen…

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Looking back towards the entrance to The Keefer (artwork by Douglas Coupand)
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From the penthouse kitchen and living room looking back towards the bedrooms and dining area
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I loved this little deck off the living room (note the fresh snow not so deep or crisp or even)
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The suite underneath the penthouse follows the same design scheme but has the original beams and brick
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The rooftop deck with pool (which makes the ceiling in the penthouse hallway) is certifiably amazing...

You’ll find a few extra shots in the following thumbnail gallery

  • The Keefer | Vancouver
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They’re looking at having the entirety (including the bar) finished and ready for prime time in late January or early February. If you’ve forgotten what the renderings look like, take a look…

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All Anticipated Openings

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recommended17

There are 6 comments

  2. great shots.

    Gair Williamson Architects were the architects for The Keefer, interior design by Gair Williamson Architects, Wendy Williams Watt,furnished by Wendy Williams Watt, with art by Doug Coupland.

    The bar is by Battersby Howat.

    Gair Williamson Architects have recently completed The Paris Block and Bowman Lofts for the Salient Group, the Salt Cellar for Sean Heather and Scott Hawthorn and are in the process of building The Judas Goat for Sean and Scott.

    Earlier works in Gastown include The Alibi Room

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