San Francisco's Great Star Theater Marks 100-Year Anniversary

A historic building at 116 de la Gauchetière St. W. in Montreal, which faced demolition due to real estate development, has been saved by community activism and is now a heritage site. The building, with over 180 years of history, has housed notable figures from the French Patriotes movement and became a central hub for the Chinese community in the early 20th century. Jean-Philippe Riopel, the last tenant, played a crucial role in protecting the site, ultimately purchasing it from developers in 2024. He plans to foster the building's cultural significance by collaborating with local organizations. Meanwhile, discussions of Chinatowns often highlight their complex histories, as seen in San Francisco's Chinatown, which is the oldest in North America, showcasing both cultural richness and the impact of xenophobia. These narratives emphasize the need to appreciate and preserve the heritage of these communities amid ongoing development pressures.