BOUNDARIES:
Robson Street West to Stanley Park, and Burrard Street North to Canada Place
COMMUNITY:
Downtown is Vancouver’s primary business district, houses many arts, entertainment, and sports venues, and is close to several vibrant residential communities. A peninsula, Downtown is bounded by Burrard Inlet on the north, False Creek and the popular district of Yaletown to the south. The West End neighbourhood and world-famous Stanley Park are to the west, and the popular historic districts of Gastown, Chinatown, and Strathcona are to the east.
Neighbourhoods Include:
Robson Street:
With BC Place Stadium at one end, Stanley Park at the other, and the city’s best-known shopping precinct in between, Robson Street is a must-stroll for most visitors to Vancouver. One of Vancouver’s oldest commercial streets, it was once known as Robsonstrasse for the sheer number of German and European stores that opened up after the Second World War. The international character of the street still exists. Being right in the heart of the downtown core, you’ll find yourself walking right alongside locals on their way to the office, sports fans heading to the game, and Asian students lining up outside noodle shops.
Granville Street:
Located in the heart of Vancouver, Granville Street is where you’ll find Vancouver’s main downtown entertainment district. Countless restaurants, bars and nightclubs make this a popular late-night hangout, particularly on the weekends. Stretching from the start of Granville Street by Waterfront Station, south to the Granville Street Bridge, the downtown portion this street is fairly sleepy by day, but buzzing at night. Many of the city’s bus lines transit through Granville, making it a main thoroughfare for the city.
Gastown:
Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, Gastown grew from a single tavern founded by John ‘Gassy Jack’ Deighton back in 1867. Today, the district retains its historic charm and independent spirit. Victorian architecture houses a thriving fashion scene, impeccably curated décor boutiques, one-of-a-kind galleries and some of the best culinary fare in Vancouver. It’s a gathering place for stylish locals and an ideal neighbourhood to explore on foot. Gastown lies along the north of the downtown Vancouver peninsula, from Richards east to Main Street, and south to Hastings Street.
Yaletown:
Yaletown was once the Western terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway, but the area’s more recent reinvention dates back to 1986 when the waterfront along the north of False Creek was host to many of the venues when Vancouver hosted the World’s Fair. Since then that land, along with the warehouse district adjoining it have been transformed into one of the city’s chicest neighbourhoods, filled with residential loft spaces, sidewalk cafes, cool restaurants, unique shopping, and leafy parks. Sitting along the south side of the downtown Vancouver peninsula, Yaletown is bordered by Homer Street, Robson Street and False Creek.
Davie Village & The West End:
Rainbow flags and sunburst banners adorn the lampposts in this lively neighbourhood in the heart of downtown’s dense West End. Known internationally for its thriving community of gay and lesbian residents, Davie Village is offers a chilled-out vibe for people watching during the day, and thumping clubs, pubs and street life at night. “Davie Village” refers to the stretch of Davie Street between Burrard and Jervis Streets, but make sure you poke your head around the corner onto some of the side streets which are also home to some gems.
Overall, the West End is one of the easiest neighbourhoods for visitors to explore, getting a real taste of how real Vancouverites live. A gateway to Stanley Park, the neighbourhood is bordered by the park on one side, as well as English Bay, Granville and Robson Streets. In 1862, the area was heavily forested when three gentlemen, known as the Three Greenhorns, each purchased 73 hectares (180 acres) of land with the purpose of establishing a brickworks. That plan soon changed, and the area instead became the city’s first upscale neighbourhood. These days, it’s an incredibly diverse area, home to the city’s gay community (centred around Davie Village), heritage homes, and around 40,000 people living in high-rise apartments. The parks and beaches are the main attractions, but the people-watching and dining come in close behind.
Should you want to explore housing options in Vancouver’s Downtown Core, don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to hearing from you!
If you are thinking of selling, Sean would be more than happy to give you a current and complete market evaluation of your home.
LISTINGS: Current Active Listings in Downtown Vancouver