The Kitsilano westside neighbourhood of the Canadian City of Vancouver in British Columbia is on the shore of English Bay on the north between the flanking neighbourhoods of Point Grey at Alma Street on the west and Fairview east at Burrard Street on the east. West 16th Avenue is the southern border with the neighbourhoods of Dunbar, Arbutus Ridge, and Shaughnessy. Notable neighbourhood landmarks are the Burrard Street Bridge, a five-lane, Art Deco style, steel-truss bridge constructed in 1932 to connect Kitsilano to Downtown Vancouver, the splendid Kitsilano Beach, and the Maritime Museum and MacMillan Space Centre, both in Vanier Park near the beach. Kitsilano hosts the annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival, Bard on the Beach outdoor Shakespeare festival, and Celebration of Light fireworks competition.
Mostly residential with commercial areas on West 4th Avenue and West Broadway, Kitsilano’s population was 40,595 according to the 2006 Census, a 2.5-percent increase from 2001. English is the dominant language of area residents followed by Chinese; however, French, German, Greek, Japanese, and Spanish are not uncommon. About 75.0 percent speak English as their native language, 4.5 percent Chinese, and 3.2 percent French. The 2006 neighbourhood median household income was $53,455, and 21.3 percent of residents live in low-income households.
Historical Development
Vancouver streetcar lines once had a loop at Arbutus & Cornwall, making the beach area easily accessible from the new city, then still mostly on the small Downtown peninsula on the north side of the Burrard Street Bridge over False Creek. The Lulu Island Railway opened an interurban line from Downtown Granville & Pacific streets to Richmond via Seventh Avenue and Arbutus Street through Kerrisdale in the 1890s, putting more of the neighbourhood within easy range of Downtown.
An inexpensive neighbourhood in the 1960s, Kitsilano attracted many countercultural residents from across Canada and the USA and became with Gastown one of two such city neighbourhoods gentrified in later decades. Easy access to Downtown Vancouver and walking distance to parks, beaches, and ever popular Granville Island in Fairview have made the neighbourhood very desirable. Following the days of the counterculture, many environmentalists came to Vancouver. Greenpeace opened its first office in Kitsilano in 1975 as did the Green Party of British Columbia in 1983.
Kitsilano has seventeen parks, six playgrounds, an off-leash dog park, and one of Vancouver’s finest, most popular beaches with a franchise restaurant, the heated, salt-water outdoor Kitsilano Pool open from May to September, longest (137 metres/150 yards) swimming pool in Canada, and the Kitsilano Showboat, which has operated since 1935 as essentially an open-air amphitheatre with free performances from local bands and dance groups to entertain residents and tourists and showcase amateur talent.
No New Beach Bicycle Trail for Now
After months of vocal opposition and a lawsuit, the Vancouver park board in February 2014 gave up on plans for a new $2.2 million bicycle trail through Hadden Park and Kitsilano Beach and directed its staff to improve safety on the present trail through the parks. Opponents obtained in November 2013 a court order enjoining the board from breaking ground on the project until the case against it could be heard fully. An opposition spokesman said she was happy that “we won’t be putting blacktop through our precious green space.” The discontinued proposed project would have completed the city’s Seaside Greenway route from Coal Harbour to Jericho Beach Park on English Bay in the Point Grey neighbourhood several miles west of Kitsilano Beach.
A spectacular, bespoke WATERFRONT home on lower POINT GREY RD. Relax to the gentle sounds of the waves at this beautiful, secluded oasis. Rebuilt with great care by a master craftsman over 6 years with exquisite details and quality, this ultra-unique 4 bedroom home is a nod to the Gamble House Architecture, and is a once-in-a-lifetime find, the rebuild was completed in 2009. Complete with 100 year old timbers, stained glass, irreplaceable African Lingue wood floors, kofford beams, hand-cut German Quarry-Free Slate Roof and the original stone fireplace created with stones from English Bay. Bask in Glorious views from all 3 levels, entertain in the Grand Hall, enjoy the incredible chef's kitchen, the Primary suite is truly captivating, this special lot is elevated, and privacy is paramount.More details
A GOLDEN opportunity for a legacy WATERFRONT property on Lower Point Grey Road. Unparalleled UNOBSTRUCTED vistas of ocean, mountains & city from every level of this 4628 SF home. A breathtaking living room w/17’ high windows offer front row to the calming waters. The gourmet kitchen makes entertaining a breeze w/ its flow to an outdoor 2 level deck & space for a grassy garden party. An inviting dining room w/modern domed ceiling & library/office round out the main floor. Top levels w/4 beds, 2 w/ensuites, office, south facing deck, rooftop deck & lower level rec room, wet bar, family room - provide endless space for rest, work & play. An absolute beauty & private haven w/garage & off street parking tucked away between Trafalgar & Balsam. STEPS to everything this neighbourhood is known for.More details
This is simply a world class property with plans & permits for a world class home. Evoke Architecture has designed an amazing 4400sf home, sitting on this waterfront 7,229sf lot, w/ sweeping 180 degree views of the North Shore Mountains & English Bay. This 2 year design and permitting process will save any prospective buyer not only time, but a considerable amount of money (Arch, Consultants, Demo, Cons Planning, Financing and City Fees). Natural Balance Home Builders is ready start the process in a matter of weeks, while still allowing any buyer to make cosmetic changes to suit their own tastes. Currently the plans feature a 4 car garage w/ car elevator & turntable, rooftop deck w/ hot tub, 28’ POOL, views from all 3 floors, & 4 bed, office, & den. Call for your private tour of the property.More details
Listed by Stilhavn Real Estate Services
and Oakwyn Realty Ltd.
STUNNING WATERFRONT property custom designed in 1996 by renowned Architect Peter Cardew with an interior nautical theme and an open plan on one block long Cameron Ave. with exclusive homes and no thru traffic. Unparalleled water, mountain, and city views through floor to ceiling, wall to wall windows on all three levels. Convenient optional garage level entrance to indoor elevator serving all 3 floors. Large private south facing deck with fireplace off the kitchen. Double thick granite top island with high-end appliances. Maple hardwood floors. Top floor features master bedroom and den with many built-ins and a large view jacuzzi tub. 3 openable high-end Velux skylights and expansive views in 3 directions including sunsets much of the year.More details
This is a stratafied Triplex. Good for 3 families or living at one unit and rent the other 2 units out with good income at this popular Kitsilano area. Walking distance to transit, restaurants, shopping and beach. A combined total of 8 bedrooms and 7.5 baths 4940 sq ft house or you can buy 2760 W2 with 1750sqft, 1807 Stephens with 1689sqft or 1805 Stephens with 1501sqft separately. Each unit has separate entrance. open house 13 & 14 May 2-4pm at 1807 Stephens St.More details
West Coast living at its finest in this stunning 4-ensuite bedrooms Kits Point home. With a 120' street frontage and 4878 sqft interior, this home boasts exceptional amenities: radiant heating throughout, an expansive living room with a beautiful custom-designed fireplace, an intimate dining room, a chef's kitchen, a family room, and a newly renovated sunroom. The upper level features vaulted ceilings and expansive windows. Three luxurious bedrooms, including the principal suite with its beautiful greenery views, offer comfort and relaxation. The lower level has a walkout, a full kitchen with a spa bathroom and sauna, a large laundry room, an open plan office ideal for working from home, 1 ensuite bedroom, and an entertainment room that opens to a charming garden with your own hot tub. Complete with two storage rooms and an attached 3-car garage, this home has it all. Located just steps from the beach, parks, and seawall, it's the perfect oasis for those seeking the ultimate West Coast lifestyle.More details
Listed by Engel & Volkers Vancouver
and Dexter Realty
A rare Broadway Plan Land Assembly opportunity, boasting a maximum floor space ratio (FSR) of 5.5, ideally positioned along the prominent Arbutus Street. This strategic location offers the potential for the development of an impressive 18-storey rental tower, complemented by retail spaces at the ground level. Notably, the fourth floor and above promise captivating water views of English Bay, adding to the allure of this project. Furthermore, its proximity of a mere 5 minutes to the upcoming Broadway & Arbutus skytrain station enhances its accessibility and desirability. Assemble with R2781823.More details
A rare Broadway Plan Land Assembly opportunity, boasting a maximum floor space ratio (FSR) of 5.5, ideally positioned along the prominent Arbutus Street. This strategic location offers the potential for the development of an impressive 18-storey rental tower, complemented by retail spaces at the ground level. Notably, the fourth floor and above promise captivating water views of English Bay, adding to the allure of this project. Furthermore, its proximity of a mere 5 minutes to the upcoming Broadway & Arbutus skytrain station enhances its accessibility and desirability. Assemble with R2781788.More details
A rare opportunity to build on Point Grey Road. This vacant lot zoned (RT-8) to build single family home or duplex. Bring your imagination and design your dream home on Point Grey. Be part of this exclusive heritage community surrounded by West Coast beauty. Access by appointment only.More details