Growing Pains in Railtown
The Nascent Neighbourhood
The Vancouver Observer, an online independent newspaper, in an October 2013 article describes Railtown as “A taste of Brooklyn in Vancouver” and as “Vancouver’s final frontier.” The article defines this small area as within Alexander Street on the south and the railyards on the Burrard Inlet waterfront on the north between Columbia Street and Heatley Avenue. A May 2014 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) online article defines the area as somewhat larger extending from the waterfront as far south as Hastings Street between Main Street and Hawkes Avenue, a slight shift eastward, but both articles include a core area from Alexander Street north between Main Street and Heatley Avenue, and both express concern over gentrification.
The Gentrification Controversy
In a sidebar, “A brief history of gentrification in Vancouver,” The Observer defines gentrification as “people being pushed out of their neighbourhood by people with more money,” noting that the gentrification boom follows a long period of deterioration in which property values fell to very low levels. During this period, nobody paid property taxes, the city seized land for delinquent taxes, then sold it for bottom-level prices to buyers eager to profit from the 1966 Strata Titles Act, which for the first time made mere apartments real estate. Before that law there were no condos, just single-owner or cooperative properties. Condominium construction and conversion accelerated gentrification of neighbourhoods and displacement of their residents unable to buy into the change.
The Observer concludes that the city should explore “more creative modes” of property ownership by cooperative, shared ownership of whole buildings, cohousing, and laneway housing, small structures typically built in the rear of pre-existing. The CBC laments the facts that rapid growth in Railtown may be good news for business but that 13,000 Downtown East Side low-income residents living on pensions or welfare benefits face the threat of eviction.
New Attractions
Once a rough industrial district of dives and brothels, Railtown today is home to the avant-garde Railtown Design District, six affiliated businesses aiming to make the neighborhood a centre of architectural advancement. In addition to the Design District, Railtown has seen several new businesses and cafes arrive as old warehouse and factory buildings convert to new uses. The Vancouver Urban Winery has an historic building in which it manufactures, packages, imports, and distributes wine for multiple brands and hold functions and parties around wine themes. So popular has this new venture proven to be with patrons that it started in 2012 with two employees and now has thirty.
Information Links:
http://strathconabia.com/
http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/dtes-local-area-plan.aspx
Downtown Eastside Development Plan
Railtown, Gastown, and the rest of the Downtown Eastside may see major changes from the city council approval in March 2014 after two days of public hearings of a plan to guide future development. The mayor says the plan reflects “aspirations for safer and more stable 
housing, protections for low-income residents, stronger support for mental health and addictions, and a more vibrant local economy.”
The plan is ambitious in its aims to accommodate developers who have driven up land values by purchasing, redeveloping, or speculating on neighbourhood properties and to protect low-income residents increasingly struggling to afford rent and food as neighbourhood costs increase. Plan critics say provisions for new or replacement “social housing”* units, upgrades to single-room occupancies, and rent-subsidized units may help some area residents but will leave others in squalor or on the streets. Whether the plan does enough for all 6,300 residents on social assistance and 6,000 others on low incomes is uncertain, but in a no-condos zone along Hastings Street new structures must be at least 60 percent social housing, and one third of those new units must rent at shelter rates. The plan protects heritage buildings and designates Railtown as a potential location for office use.
* The British/Canadian term “social housing” is synonymous with “public housing” in the USA.
New Railtown Live MLS Listings
Railtown, Vancouver, Trendy
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281 ALEXANDER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Condo for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2738104
281 ALEXANDER Street Vancouver V6A 1C2 
$2,780,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2738104
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 2,764 sq. ft.
This is an amazing space! Currently is one Canada’s premier movie studios that can be converted back to a ONE LEVEL HOME with a stunning home theater. This property can easily be converted back into an amazing 3 bedroom. All doors, ceilings, wall, and AIR CONDITIONING is totally soundproof. This space offers the “state of the art” technology. Great modern gourmet kitchen and nicely appointed bathroom. The HOME theater is one of the best in the country. This space is fully soundproof in every room, sound protection with zero sound transmission. The property is fully air conditioned with no sound transition. Offers smart home and camera technology, private secured gate entrance. Concrete solid building located just East of Gastown. Currently tenanted. Call today for your appointment to view. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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808 289 ALEXANDER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Condo for sale in "The Edge" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2713168
808 289 ALEXANDER Street Vancouver V6A 4H6
$798,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2713168
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 790 sq. ft.
Unique & stylish loft-style apartment located in the highly sought-after Railtown design district.The Edge Lofts offer an artist live/work space w/ exposed concrete & brick. This bright & open unit features an open floor plan w/ flr-to-ceiling windows, providing ample natural light thru out the space. The large living room is perfect for entertaining, while the cozy gas f/p adds a touch of warmth & ambiance. Includes in-suite laundry, 16' ceilings, concrete flrs, a balcony. One of the standout features is its massive 7,000 sq ft amenity space, which includes a gym, metal shop, woodworking shop, pottery studio, & music room. New roof in 2021. Includes 1 secured parking. A short walk to Gastown & Railtown's restaurants, downtown shopping, sea wall, recreation & transit. Contact your Realtor. More detailsListed by RE/MAX - Stuart Bonner - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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210 626 ALEXANDER Street in Vancouver: Strathcona Condo for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2757633
210 626 ALEXANDER Street Vancouver V6A 1C9
$535,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2757633
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 570 sq. ft.
A newer and funkier ongoing development in Vancouver - RAILTOWN - Complete with great boutique eating experiences, top end micro breweries, artsy shops all close by. Easy access to transit, bike rentals, to commute to work or use the many bike paths throughout the city. This one bed, one bath condo was built by Epix Developments and features a great open layout with 9' ceilings and engineered hardwood throughout. Your gourmet kitchen comes complete w top end European appliances including a gas range to go w large quartz countertop island with under bar seating. Lots of cupboard space, w dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer in unit. Downstairs you have a storage locker and a separate bike room. Outside your door is an outdoor private courtyard complete w BBQ on your 2nd floor More detailsListed by eXp Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
