Space Opportunities at BCA Sun Wah
Rental Units
BCA Sun Wah at 268 Keefer Street is 49,000 square foot leasehold premises within a mixed use building in the Chinatown neighbourhood. BCA has held a 30-year headlease on the premises since 2017.
BCA invites artists and collectives, not-for-profit cultural and community organisations, and community groups to be a part of the BCA Sun Wah community.
BCA Sun Wah spaces can support administration, presentation, education, service provision, and Class-A artist studios (i.e. studios which do not involve industrial processes or amplified sound).
Key building features
Access by keyfob, daily from 7:00am–Midnight
Natural and artificial light (bright, dimmable LED lighting)
Ceiling heights range from 12–20’.
66 units for artists and/or non-profit office use
Monthly rents range from $223 to $6,258 (incl. common area costs, maintenance fees) +gst
Unit sizes range from 96 to 2,344 square feet (does not include proportionate common area)
Secured lobby with water-bottle refill station
Accessible bathrooms on all floors
Secure bicycle parking (lower level)
Bookable flex room for a fee
Accessibility
The front entrance to the building is wheelchair accessible*
The elevator is wheelchair accessible and centrally located
All bathrooms are wheelchair accessible
Services animals are welcome in the building
An emergency power supply on all power operated doors
Areas of refuge on each floor
Unit types
The following table is for illustrative purposes only. Inquire above for up-to-date studio availability.
1. Current BCA Vacancies (PDF)
Rental terms
Unit type is based on the 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
Sub-tenants are required to carry $5M general liability insurance. BCA has made arrangements with The Cooperators to provide an opt-in program of insurance certificates specific to the building at a reduced price, approx. $300 per year. Those who do not opt-in will be expected to provide proof of insurance.
Rates are inclusive of rent, property taxes, building maintenance, utilities, Wi-fi, common area cleaning, waste management, property management, and share of common area expenses.
Building amenities
7:00AM-11:59PM access for BCA tenants
Ground floor main entrance on Keefer Street
Fully accessible
Passenger elevator
Freight elevator with loading bay
Sprinkler system
Washrooms on each floor, including universal toilet rooms
Shared kitchens/lunchrooms on each floor
Secure access system
Secure bike parking
Paid parking on levels 5-8 operated by Impark.
FAQ
Eligibility and tenanting
1. Who is an artist?
An “Artist” is 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 tradition, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work, and actively practices their art. BCA uses the term Artist in a broad sense, encompassing a variety of historical and unrecognised types of practices. Examples of types of Artists may be painters, sculptors, writers, editors, cultural and language workers, designers, graphic designers, typographers, industrial designers, illustrators, video game designers, filmmakers, ceramicists, performance Artists, dramaturgs, choreographers, dancers.
2. Who is a non-profit cultural organization or small cultural business?
Non-profit cultural organizations are organizations that provide service to artists or the arts and culture sector. This includes unincorporated community groups serving a cultural mandate. Small cultural businesses have business in the arts, culture and creative sector. Some examples include: architects, designers, media, publishing, small production companies, etc. BCA defines a “Small Cultural Business” as a business with five (5) or less full-time equivalent staff/personnel and has the primary objectives as the creation and/or presentation of artistic or cultural practices/trades or educational activities associated with the creation or presentation of artistic or cultural practices/trades.
3. How are tenants selected?
Where there are multiple competing submissions, completed applications will be ranked by staff or a selection committee based on:
Alignment with vision and values
Artistic practice and impact on career, and
Impact on field and community.
Additional information may be requested by the staff to support ranking of the applications.
4. 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, BCA will use the selection and ranking criteria above to determine the order of lease offers.
5. What if I want a lease that is longer than 1 year?
BCA will consider leases longer than 1 year on a case by case basis.
Rent and additional costs
6. 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 Shaw 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.
7. 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. In the past, BCA has been able to provide certificates through The Cooperators 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.
8. How are the rental rates set?
The rental rates are set by BCA and are structured to cover operating costs of the premises, while also meeting affordability thresholds. Rental rates are based on affordability analysis and considerations of unit quality across BCA’s portfolio and gradations within the facility.
9. How is rent collected?
Tenants enter into a Pre-Authorized Debit Agreement with BCA, which allows BCA to withdraw monthly rent payments directly from Subtenants’ bank accounts.
Use of premises and amenities
10. What are the operating hours of the building?
The building is accessible 7:00am - Midnight by key fob.
11. 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.
12. What art practices are allowed?
Sun Wah at 268 Keefer Street accommodates ‘clean’ 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. BCA 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.
14. 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 BCA. All subleases have an alteration clause that should be reviewed by tenants.
15. Am I allowed to sublet my unit?
Tenants are not allowed to sublease their units without express approval from BCA. All subleases have a subletting clause that should be reviewed by tenants.
16. 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.
17. Is there bike and vehicle parking?
There are parking stalls on levels 5-8 operated by Impark. There is a shared bike parking area within the building.
18. Is there a loading bay and freight elevator?
There is a loading bay and freight elevator located off the laneway. The freight elevator requires 48 hours booking time in advance.
19. How can I book the meeting room?
BCA has an online booking system for tenants to use and share the meeting room.
Management and Head Lease
20. Who owns BCA?
There is no owner of BCA. BCA is a non-profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act. Like most non-profits, BCA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and operations are managed by a qualified staff.
21. How are decisions made about the building?
Significant changes to the building are approved by the BCA Board of Directors and the landlord, in consultation with building occupants and stakeholders.
22. Does BCA make profit from the building?
BCA 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.
Flex Spaces
BCA Sun Wah has two flexible spaces bookable by the hour or day, for meetings, workshops and other short-term rentals.
Please contact care@bcabca.ca for rates, availability and our booking policy.