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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905 128 W CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "WOODWARDS W-43" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2721216
905 128 W CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6B 0E6 
$599,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2721216
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 652 sq. ft.
Welcome to Woodwards! This bright northeast facing unit overlooks a private courtyard and features stunning modern design elements. Enjoy 9ft exposed concrete ceilings, bamboo wood floors, ample closet & storage space, and a kitchen with stone countertops, S/S appliances, and a gas cooktop. Building amenities include state-of-the-art fitness facilities and a rooftop & indoor lounge with breathtaking city views. Centrally located among all of the shopping & restaurants that Gastown has to offer, and close proximity to Coal Harbour and Downtown Vancouver's core. Heating & Internet are included in the strata fee. Amazing investment property: rented for $2,700+utilities! More detailsListed by Rennie & Associates Realty Ltd.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1808 108 W CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "WOODWARDS" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2747853
1808 108 W CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6B 0G5
$585,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2747853
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 585 sq. ft.
Views from this 18th floor 1 bedroom will wow you everyday!One of the best layouts in the building.Kitchen has a large island that has room for several stools and has an eating area too!Your friends can hang out while you saute up some canapes on the gas stove top.The bedroom is a great size and can accomodate a small office . Into the bathroom you will get a spa feeling . Deep soaker tub and seperate walk in shower make this a bathroom of distinction.Woodwards is well known for the amazing amenities including roof top whirlpool, exersise center, party room and concierge. Parking is available. Maint. fee includes internet. More detailsListed by TRG The Residential Group Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1506 108 W CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "Woodwards" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2748661
1506 108 W CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6B 0G5
$580,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2748661
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 560 sq. ft.
Welcome to Woodwards and this modern, open concept one bedroom suite. Functional floorplan and large kitchen island for entertaining. Move the party outside to your large, covered balcony and take in the beautiful mountain and water views from this gorgeous NW exposure. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow great natural light to fill the space with ceilings of exposed polished concrete adding to the urban vibe. Some of the best building amenities in the city with an incredible rooftop experience featuring huge outdoor lounge, hot tub, gym, entertaining space, an outdoor kitchen BBQ area and breathtaking views in every direction. Fulltime concierge services and the convenience of this unbeatable Gastown location with cafes, restaurants, shopping, and transit within steps. Pets/Rentals OK. Open Sat 12-3pm More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1604 438 SEYMOUR Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "Conference Plaza" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2737591
1604 438 SEYMOUR Street Vancouver V6B 6H4
$568,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2737591
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 562 sq. ft.
VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS! 1+Solarium Corner Beautiful layout at the Conference Plaza. GREAT VIEWS of Burrard Inlet, North Shore Mountains and the city. Bright, functional floor plan. Renovated with newer floors and paint. Good sized rooms. Spa-like amenities shared with the Delta Conference Plaza Hotel including indoor pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, exercise room & guest suite. Super convenient downtown location with everything just steps away - Skytrain, offices, shopping, restaurants, SFU & BCIT. Perfect for living or as an investment. Tenanted; need 24h+ notice to view. More detailsListed by ABC Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1909 438 SEYMOUR Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "Conference Plaza" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2741199
1909 438 SEYMOUR Street Vancouver V6B 6H4
$551,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2741199
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 570 sq. ft.
Fully furnished 1 bdrm and den SE facing bright corner unit.1 parking and 1 locker secure underground, bike room also. Excellent amenities with indoor pool, gym, jacuzzi, sauna and lounge room. 24 hr concierge and security. 1 block to Canada Place and the skytrain station as well as the Seabus terminal . Currently tenanted at $1900/mo with 2 very nice girls for the last 18 months More detailsListed by TRG The Residential Group Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
