City opens bidding for new flagship Chinese restaurant in Chinatown

Vancouver's struggling Chinatown is getting a chance at revival. The City launched a search for a new operator to transform the vacant former Floata Seafood Restaurant space into a major destination Chinese restaurant—part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic activity in the historic district.

The 18,000-sq.-ft. space sits on the third level of Chinatown Plaza, a city-owned seven-storey complex at the southeast corner of Quebec and Keefer streets. Floata, which operated there for 30 years, permanently closed in October 2025 after struggling with rising disorder, competition from other Chinese business concentrations across the city, and a declining population of Chinese seniors.

The City's Request for Proposal submission period closes June 24. Proponents must detail their restaurant concepts, including cuisine, branding, menus, target customers, pricing, alcohol service, hours, seating capacity, and renovation plans.

The City is asking for a minimum capital reinvestment of $2 million into renovations and setting a minimum monthly gross rent requirement of $70,000. Experience working with Vancouver's Chinese Canadian and Chinese communities is considered a strong asset, as are Cantonese and Mandarin language capabilities.

Floata was known for doubling as a ballroom-style venue hosting seated gatherings for nearly 1,000 people—political events, fundraisers, weddings. The new operator is expected to replicate and improve on Floata's traditional full-service concept, including dim sum, lunch, dinner, and large-format banquet services.