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
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New Gastown Live MLS Listings
Gastown, Vancouver, BC
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605 53 W HASTINGS Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "Paris Block" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2738581
605 53 W HASTINGS Street Vancouver V6B 1G4 
$875,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2738581
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 1,047 sq. ft.
Stunning Heritage conversion P/H in PARIS BLOCK. Built by award winning Salient Group, Live/work loft feature overheight ceilings, brick walls, Pella windows & doors w/designer roller shades & polished concrete floors. Exceptional chef's kitchen with high end Miele appliances, wine fridge, gas cooktop & white Corian counters with s/s backsplash. Spa bath w/glass & slate tile, dual vanity, soaker tub & walk in shower. Huge common rooftop deck with amazing views PLUS PRIVATE 300 sf rooftop deck w/outdoor kitchen (both accessed by elevator). Miele full size washer/dryer, custom millwork throughout, Multizone B/I speakers & programmable Insteon light switches. Locker and secured bike room. A MUST SEE! More detailsListed by RE/MAX Select Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1208 108 W CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2746778
1208 108 W CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6B 0G5
$628,800Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2746778
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 571 sq. ft.
Come experience the famous Woodwards Building & witness the club "W" rooftop amenities including panoramic 360 degree views. This owner occupied home shows 10 out of 10, open concept floor plan with an expansive central island for entertaining. The kitchen contains stainless steel appliances, gas stove, quartz countertops. The living room features floor to ceiling windows, as well as offers spacious space to display all TV equipment and large size sofa. The unit is overlooking a roof garden which provides ultimate privacy. Relax on your balcony which spans the entire width of the home. You don't want to miss it! Open house Sunday Feb 4th, 2-4pm. More detailsListed by LeHomes Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1704 128 W CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "Woodwards" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2745419
1704 128 W CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6B 0E6
$619,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2745419
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 664 sq. ft.
Come live in this iconic Gastown building developed by Westbank. Fantastic open floor plan with 9 foot ceilings and views of the water and mountains. Wood floors, gourmet kitchen with gas cooktop, s/s appliances, stone counters and spa-like bathroom. Building has a well run strata and world class amenities with fully equipped gym, lounge, media room, work stations, outdoor hot tub and rooftop patio with outdoor kitchen and entertaining space. Central and continually developing location with transportation, shopping, restaurants and amenities at your doorstep. Heat, gas, internet and 24 hour concierge included in monthly fees. Pets & rentals allowed, monthly parking available at EasyPark nearby. More detailsListed by RE/MAX Select Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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616 22 E CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VE Condo for sale in "VAN HORNE" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2740348
616 22 E CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6A 4G8
$609,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2740348
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 724 sq. ft.
Spacious Loft in The Van Horne! Over 720 sq.ft. of Gastown living space with soaring 16 ft. ceilings and windows. Bright southeast exposure on quiet side of building with open kitchen, in-suite laundry, & loft bedroom with enough space for home office. Generously sized balcony ideal for a barbecue. The building features concrete construction, live-in, full-time caretaker, high security, bike storage and a pet & garden area. Pets and rentals welcome. Central location just a few minutes walk to Downtown and steps to great restaurants and bars. 1 parking stall included as well as secure guest parking. Unique investment opportunity or just move right in! More detailsListed by RE/MAX Real Estate Services - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2304 128 W CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "Woodwards" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2749097
2304 128 W CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6B 0E6
$599,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2749097
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 646 sq. ft.
Come live in this iconic Gastown building developed by Westbank. Fantastic open floor plan with 9 foot ceilings and views of the water and mountains. New hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen with gas cooktop, s/s appliances, new Ceasarstone countertops and spa-like bathroom. Building has a well run strata and world class amenities with fully equipped gym, lounge, media room, work stations, outdoor hot tub and rooftop patio with outdoor kitchen and entertaining space. Central and continually developing location with transportation, shopping, restaurants and amenities at your doorstep. Heat, gas, internet and 24 hour concierge included in monthly fees. Pets & rentals allowed, monthly parking available at EasyPark nearby. OH Sat & Sun, February 4th & 5th 3-4:30pm. More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
