Sam Kee Building

Lonely Planet review

This structure near the corner of Carrall St made it into Guinness World Records as the world's narrowest office building. It's easy to miss because it looks like the front of the larger building behind, to which it is attached. It's currently an insurance company office and there isn't much to see inside, but it's still a nifty stop if you're passing this way.

A businessman's vendetta against city hall led to the building's anorexic shape. Chang Toy, the Sam Kee Co owner, bought land at this site in 1906, but in 1926 all but a 1.8m-wide strip was expropriated by the city to widen Pender St. Toy's way of thumbing his nose at city officials was to build anyway, and up sprang the unusual 'Slender on Pender' dwelling.