Gastown in Peace and War
Where Vancouver Began
Gastown, a National Historic Site of Canada, is the area northeast of Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, within Hastings, Main, and Richards Streets and the Burrard Inlet waterfront. Vancouver’s first downtown core, where it all began and where the roots remain visible in cobblestone streets and antique streetlights, all of which look like a slice of history between the high-rises of Downtown and the waterfront train yard. Gastown’s name comes from legendary “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a steamboat captain who in 1867 opened the first saloon.
Early Gastown prospered as the site of a sawmill, a seaport, and, not least, an after-hours resort for loggers, fishermen, and the crews of sailing ships. In 1886, the town incorporated as the City of Vancouver but lost all but two of its buildings in the Great Vancouver Fire of that same year. The rebuilt area thrived again as an important ferry and steamship docking and staging area with Hastings and Main as the town centre.
Preserving the Visible 19th Century
After the Great Depression of the 1930s, Gastown fell into decay, decline, and disrepair as a skid row area of cheap beer parlours and flophouses. In the 1960s, citizen concern over preservation of Gastown’s distinctive architecture, which, as in nearby Chinatown and Strathcona, was to be torn down to clear space for a freeway into Downtown, drove a campaign that in 1971 persuaded the provincial government to declare the area an historical site to protect its heritage buildings.
Perhaps Gastown’s most famous landmark is the steam-powered clock at Cambie and Water streets. Built to cover a steam grate of Vancouver’s distributed steam-heating system, the clock prevents street people from sleeping on the grate in cold weather. The low-pressure downtown-wide steam heating network from a plant adjacent to the Georgia Viaduct powers a miniature steam engine in the clock’s base.
Entertainment and Hospitality
Gastown endured decades of neglect as the derelict part of town. Recent revitalization has turned skid row into a stylish destination of unusual enterprises in entertainment, gastronomy, and hospitality. On Alexander Street near Main in the northeastern corner of Gastown, the Alibi Room has “50 taps of local & imported craft beer,” some exclusive to the pub, for beer lovers. On Water Street, there are great meal deals at Pourhouse. On Blood Alley Square, a banner of an upside-down salt shaker beckons passersby to the Salt Tasting Room, a small, friendly tavern where patrons can “assemble a Tasting Plate from our chalkboard’s selection of 10 cheeses, 10 meats, and 10 condiments. The selections change constantly, making it almost impossible to have the same Salt experience twice.”
Visitor Parking
For visitors to Vancouver, parking is no easier and probably more difficult in the busy nightlife of Gastown than in any other part of Downtown Vancouver. Fortunately, the presence one block west of Richards and Water streets of the SkyTrain Waterfront Station and the terminal of the Seabus to North Vancouver makes Gastown access much easier than by car.
Gastown RiotGastown entertainment and hospitality were in unusually short supply on 7 August 1971, when hundreds converged on Maple Tree Square at Alexander, Powell, and Water streets to protest drug law raids. By 10:00 AM, the crowd numbered almost 2,000. After reports of broken windows, the police decided to clear the crowd. After the crowd ignored a warning to disperse, police officers on horseback and in riot gear took action in a battle with people throwing rocks and bottles. An investigation found that the crowd had not degenerated into a mob and that individual officers had used “unnecessary, unwarranted, and excessive force.” Investigator recommendations were to ban demonstrators from taking over public streets, to train police officers specifically for crowd control, to use horses for crowd control on sidewalks only, and to eliminate the use of plainclothes officers for crowd control. |
Information Links:http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/hastings.aspx http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/dtes-local-area-plan.aspx
|
|---|
New Gastown Live MLS Listings
Gastown, Vancouver, BC
-
607 53 W HASTINGS Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "PARIS BLOCK" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2742044
607 53 W HASTINGS Street Vancouver V6B 1G4 
$1,048,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2742044
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 995 sq. ft.
The PARIS BLOCK, a boutique heritage conversion built by award winning Salient Group, is a collection of 50 sleek, modern, lofts in the heart of Gastown. Unit 607, the premier, designer PENTHOUSE home offers the ultimate in urban living in glass, steel, & concrete: 2 beds & flex, 2 baths, soaring 17' ceilings, polished concrete floors, floor to ceiling windows, & 1,507 sqft of indoor/ outdoor living, including a massive roof top deck, all on the QUIET SIDE of the building, w/ views of City, Water, & Mountains. Luxury is on display throughout this stellar home w/ Euro appliances, stone counters, & spa like baths. W/ secured parking, storage, bike rooms, & a central location close to transit, cafes, shops, & restaurants. Den easily back to 2nd bedroom. OPEN HOUSE SAT JAN 28, 2PM - 4PM. More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Ltd.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
214 55 E CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "KORET LOFTS" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2725968
214 55 E CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6A 0A5
$995,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2725968
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 1,136 sq. ft.
Built in 1908 and originally named "McLellan and McFeely"Building.The Epitome of Manhattan living. This unit housed the VAULT in the old building offices and as such offers privacy to the Bathroom area not seen in other units. Beautiful heritage conversion loft with polished concrete floors, exposed brick walls, restored double sash windows,ll'high ceilings and stunning fir wood beams. Functional kitchen with stainless steel counters. Suite has 1 underground parking, and building has large courtyard patio area with 2 BBQ's. Live/work zoning allows for many uses.2 pets allows, rental restriction min of 7 days for furnished, 1 year for non-furnished. Live/work zoning.ALSO AVAILABLE NEXT DOOR #215 SO COMBINE 2 SUITS!WHAT AN AMAZING PROJECT THAT WOULD BE!(approx 2000 sq ft combined). More detailsListed by Royal LePage Sussex - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
401 27 ALEXANDER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "THE ALEXANDER" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2738065
401 27 ALEXANDER Street Vancouver V6A 1B2
$948,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2738065
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,020 sq. ft.
2 bedroom, 2 bath unit with unobstructed north views in a characterful warehouse conversion in Gastown has high ceilings, exposed brick & timbers, oak floors, in-suite laundry, a parking spot and a small storage locker. Large windows bring loads of light into the open kitchen/dining/living space. Cozy gas fireplace keeps the area warm when needed. French doors off of the living area access a master Bedroom with 4 piece ensuite bathroom. Second sleeping area has a closet & "cheater ensuite" bathroom. The building has a common rooftop deck with a BBQ. The location is in the heart of Gastown entertainment district with easy walking access to restaurants, bars, arenas, concert halls and downtown business district. More detailsListed by Royal LePage Westside - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
807 27 ALEXANDER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "The Alexander" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2740592
807 27 ALEXANDER Street Vancouver V6A 1B2
$899,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2740592
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 740 sq. ft.
A rare 1 bedroom Penthouse at the Alexander! This renovated gem features a 205 sqft private rooftop patio in the southwest corner with breathtaking views. This efficient open floorplan with large windows and skylight offers plenty of natural light. This home also features a cozy gas fireplace, exposed brick walls, in suite laundry and one parking stall. Located in the heart of Gastown just steps from restaurants, retail and entertainment. Open House: Jan 28, Sat 2-4pm. More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
215 55 E CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "KORET LOFTS" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2726025
215 55 E CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6A 0A5
$895,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2726025
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 928 sq. ft.
Work Loft space in Historic Gastown.cFeely"Built in 1908 and originally named "McLellan and McFeely" b uilding.The Epitome of Manhattan living.This suite features 11' high ceilings, polished concrete flrs. European modular industrial style stainless steel kitchen with AEG oven, gas cooktop, Bosch d/w & LG fridge, walk-through shower. Duravit tub and Porcher sink. A glass partition wall has been added to provide privacy for your large bedroom. other upgrades include a walk-in closet.Immediate possession is 2 pets allowed, rental restriction 7 days min furnished or 1 yr non-furnished. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE IS NEXT DOOR #214 SO COMBINE THE 2 SUITS! WHAT AN AMAZING PROJECT THAT WOULD BE.(APPROX 2000 SQ FT) More detailsListed by Royal LePage Sussex - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
