Main Street Vancouver
Main Street Dimensions
Main Street in Vancouver, British Columbia is a major north-south thoroughfare that bisects the city nearly equally between the westside neighbourhoods that extend to the University Endowment Lands on the ocean and the eastside limits of Boundary Road, which marks where the the City of Burnaby begins. From north to south Main Street crosses the Vancouver neighbourhoods of Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, Riley Park, and Sunset. Major east-west intersections with Main Street from north to south are Cordova Street, Hastings Street, Georgia Viaduct, Terminal Avenue, Broadway, 12th Avenue, King Edward Avenue, 33rd Avenue, 41st Avenue, 49th Avenue, and Southeast Marine Drive.
From Waterfront Road where it begins by the Burrard Inlet, Main Street runs southward all the way to Kent Avenue, where it ends by the Fraser River, Vancouver’s southern limit. En route, the street runs through Chinatown below Hastings Street, continues past the Pacific Central railway and the Main Street/Science World SkyTrain stations, and at Terminal Avenue ascends into the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, a residential/commercial mixture that continues south of Broadway with numerous restaurants and some fashion retail. Property values in Mount Pleasant, once working-class, are definitely on the rise.
Between 33rd and 41st avenues Main becomes more residential in its ascent to high ground. In the Sunset neighbourhood south of 41st Avenue, the street acquires an Indo-Canadian character. The Punjabi Market district begins just north of 49th Avenue, south of which the street again becomes almost entirely residential. At Main Street’s intersection with Marine Drive in South Vancouver, it becomes big-box commercial with a Real Canadian superstore and a miscellaneous mix of low-rise office space, manufacturing, and warehousing.
History
On the north end, Main Street is just west of the historic site of Hastings Mill, the area around which Granville, the earlier settlement that later became Vancouver, grew. Main and Hastings mark the former centre of downtown Vancouver with the old central public library (now Carnegie Centre) and the old City Hall. The intersection is now a local catchword for the drug abuse, homelessness, poverty, and prostitution once endemic in Downtown Eastside.
Originally Main Street was Westminster Avenue as it connected at East 7th Avenue to New Westminster Road, now Kingsway. Local merchants arranged to change the name in 1910 to what they thought would bestow a more cosmopolitan character to their neighbourhood. At one time, Main Street had a bascule bridge over False Creek, which then flowed to Clark Drive over a mile farther east. During the First World War, the Great Northern and the Canadian Northern Pacific railroads filled in and reclaimed that land for use, removed the bridge, and reconnected the previously bridged Main Street segments.
Information Links:
http://shopmain.ca
http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/mount-pleasant.aspx http://www.hillcrestcentre.com/default.aspx#.U8mATlZRHnc http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/mount-pleasant-community-plan.aspx
Revitalization Chic
A recent Seattle Times article describes Vancouver’s mid-city Main Street as “certifiably hip” though a place “where women of a certain profession once worked the street corners in stilettos” but where now “explosive growth in the city” and relatively “cheap rent in this Mount Pleasant neighborhood in Southeast Vancouver” have brought in many “new boutiques, novelty shops and fancy restaurants.” According to the article, “Main Street was crime-infested 20 years ago, but that just meant cheap rent to starving artists and Asian immigrants who were looking for studio and restaurant space. They led the revitalization.”
The article concludes that “For all the concerns of gentrification, Main Street appears unremarkable with its worn storefront signs with missing letters and storefronts in need of a new coat of paint. They just all seem to blend into this street’s gritty roots and who-cares-what-outsiders-think attitude.”
New Main Street Live MLS Listings
Main Street Vancouver
-
55 E 49TH Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2618970
55 E 49TH Avenue Vancouver V5W 2G1 
$3,500,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2618970
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 2,470 sq. ft.
LAND ASSEMBLY - In conjunction with 27, 35 and 45 East 49th Avenue. Please verify building options with City of Vancouver. Property sold "As Is Where Is". Lot value only. All four lots are 33 x 142 (4,686 SF each, 18,744 SF total). Centrally located near Canada Line Skytrain, Langara College, golf course, Oakridge Mall, Main Street and Cambie Street. More detailsListed by RE/MAX Real Estate Services
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
257 E 38TH Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2617771
257 E 38TH Avenue Vancouver V5W 1H3
$3,370,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2617771
- Bedrooms:
- 8
- Bathrooms:
- 7
- Floor Area:
- 3,510 sq. ft.
Tons of LEGAL INCOME potential! A hard to find 2 years old custom built home in most convenient Main area which features stunning open floor plan with 2bdrm legal suite (separate entry) & 2 bdrm 2 level Laneway House! Close to all wonderful shopping, restaurants Main street can offer. Walking distance to school, parks include Queen Elizabeth Park and public transit. A must see! Show by appointment only. Easy to show! Motivated Seller! More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
269 E 45TH Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2599902
269 E 45TH Avenue Vancouver V5W 1X2
$3,048,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2599902
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 3,042 sq. ft.
Now is your chance to own THE HEART OF MAIN STREET - East Vancouver's most sought after neighbourhoods. Rare opportunity for one of Main Street's biggest lot with back lane access. The spacious main level has original hardwood floors throughout the living room & dining room. Kitchen was updated, s/s appliances and gas stove. Large master bedroom with ensuite on the main floor and 3 bedrooms above. Huge patio & backyard oasis for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. Potential 3 bedroom basement rental suite. Bring your major renovation ideas, or build your dream home. Plans for a 2600+ SQFT side by side duplex ready. School: Sir William Van Horne Elem & John Oliver. Truly a Rare opportunity to live in one of Vancouver's most desirable neighborhoods just east of Main. DON'T MISS THIS ONE. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
5670 SOPHIA Street in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2514843
5670 SOPHIA Street Vancouver V5W 1N2
$2,900,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2514843
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 2,300 sq. ft.
AMAZING 2,300 sq ft Vancouver Special w/500 sq ft deck! The Best Vancouver Real Estate has to offer in British Columbia. 15 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER, Stanley Park, Yaletown, Gastown and more! Perfect location for Metro Vancouver BC Canada on the West Coast. Steps to TRENDY MAIN STREET neighbourhood, shops & restaurants. This is a Gem sitting on a CORNER LOT! 4 bdrms main flr & huge bottom suite w/ 4 bdrms, kitchen. Come enjoy the Pacific Ocean & the beautiful Rocky Mountains that Greater Vancouver BC real estate market has to offer! More detailsListed by RA Realty Alliance Inc. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
222 E 17TH Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2635805
222 E 17TH Avenue Vancouver V5V 1A7
$2,880,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2635805
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 2,000 sq. ft.
If you are looking for a perfect boutique development project, look no further. This C-2 zoned lot is located in the ultra-desirable neighborhood of Mt Pleasant just off Main Street and a 12-min walk from future Mount Pleasant Station. Development Permit ALREADY ISSUED for 6 market strata units at 2.5 FSR with: 1) ONE spacious office unit at 1,740 SF on ground floor with end-of-trip facility; 2) FIVE 2 or 3 bedrooms 2 bath residential units with efficient layout. The Whole-Floor PENTHOUSE unit at 1,507 SF comes with an additional 656 SF of sunny south & north unobstructed mountain & downtown view roof decks. All units come with generous storage & bike lockers. 4 covered and gated parking. Make it your live and work dream building. Call now for more details. More detailsListed by Macdonald Commercial Real Estate Services Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
4550 JAMES Street in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2635960
4550 JAMES Street Vancouver V5V 3J3
$2,688,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2635960
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,180 sq. ft.
4550 JAMES is the DIAMOND you have been searching for. Nestled in a unique "family-focused" CENTRAL LOCATION mere footsteps to Riley Park, Hillcrest Park & Amenities, Queen Elizabeth Park, Nat Bailey Stadium, & even the local farmers market, this HIGH-END completely renovated 4 bedroom home is ready for new adventures. Exclusive off-street parking is available at the front entrance, & a large PRIVATE rear yard. This package is RARELY found in the city. The oversized windows & collection of skylights create bright OPEN indoor spaces to enjoy, while the rear & side patios are perfect for OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING! This carefully curated home is ready for a new owner. Showings available by private appointment. More detailsListed by Redfin - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
4994 MAIN Street in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2518692
4994 MAIN Street Vancouver V5W 2R3
$2,350,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2518692
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,720 sq. ft.
INVESTORS' ALERT! RT2 ZONING. Great for investment when Land Assembly occurs. Vancouver Special with legal suite located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in East Vancouver. Recentlt fully renovated. Back lane access. Current zoning permits two-family dwellings and to conditionally permit, in some instances, low density multiple-family housing. This is a very rare opportunity to buy, and live in, hold and develop laneway house, or Front/Back Duplex. Check with the City of Vancouver regarding the various possibilities the RT2 zoning will allow. Across from Queen Elizabeth Park, Close to Main St. shops and restaurants, Naileys Stadium and Hillcrest community center, walking distance to public transit, short drive to Downtown Vancouver. Don't miss it before it’s gone! Call for private showings! More detailsListed by LeHomes Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
19 E 39TH Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2635465
19 E 39TH Avenue Vancouver V5W 1J6
$2,288,800Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2635465
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 2,525 sq. ft.
** OPEN HOUSE CANCELLED** WEST OF MAIN - Come take a look at this 6-bedroom home (2-bedroom legal suite) that was extensively renovated in excess of $300K. 33x125 South/North facing lot with mountain and city vistas. Versatile floor plan with 3-bedrooms up, 3-bedrooms + Media Room down. Some of the upgrades include: newer windows, electrical & plumbing throughout, reclaimed wood flooring, metal roof, built-in sound system, custom millwork and a new sun-deck. Renovations with permits. Tenanted legal 2-bedroom mnth/mnth with laundry who'd like to stay. Walk to Canada Line & Oakridge, Close to Hillcrest Aquatic Centre & Queen Elizabeth Park. School Catchment: Sir William Van Horne Elementary, Eric Hamber Secondary. More detailsListed by RE/MAX Crest Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
34 E 46TH Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2593075
34 E 46TH Avenue Vancouver V5W 1Z1
$2,199,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2593075
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,250 sq. ft.
Well kept renovated Vancouver Special in the best location west of main,short walk distance to Langara College, Oakridge Shopping Mall, skytrain station, easy access to UBC, Richmond and downtown. 2 bedrooms and den on top floor, 3 bdrms suites on ground level for mortgage helper. Upgrades including wood flooring, windows, new roof and hot water tank, cover sundeck, master bedroom ensuite. Showing Sunday Oct 10, 2-3pm by appointment only More detailsListed by Homeland Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
406 E 18TH Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale in "MAIN-FRASER" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2631640
406 E 18TH Avenue Vancouver V5V 1G1
$2,198,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2631640
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,091 sq. ft.
Completely updated inside & out, this 2 level family home is between the very popular Main-Fraser streets. 3 bdrms up with open living/dining rm, Mountain views, kitchen w/eating area. On the ground floor you have a rec/family room, bthrm & 4th bdrm for the upstairs use, plus a self-contained 1 bdrm suite (that can easily be converted into a 2 bdrm suite for higher rental income). Detached double garage off the south facing backyard. House has gone through a complete update with new exterior Hardy siding/shingles, windows, kitchen, bthrms, floors, & lights. School catchment: Livingstone elem, Tupper high. Viewings by appointment. More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
