Sunset on the Fraser River
The Neighbourhood
An ethnically diverse neighbourhood within Ontario Street on the west and Knight Street on the east, Sunset extends from 41st Avenue south to the Fraser River in southeastern Vancouver, British Columbia. Like most of southeast Vancouver, the area was once mostly working class, but rising prices everywhere have made the area increasingly popular with young professionals and families no longer able to afford houses on the west side.
Background
Formerly part of the incorporated District of South Vancouver, the neighbourhood became part of Vancouver in 1929. As farmland sloping southward to the river with clusters of homes and villages by the 1860s, when the Fraser River was a full day’s journey to the Granville Townsite on the Burrard Inlet by boat or overland through forest and swamp, Sunset welcomed the advance of Westminster Avenue, now Main Street, south from Mount Pleasant in 1910.
The first immigrants from Punjab arrived in Vancouver in the 1890s. Most of them settled in the area around Main Street and 49th Avenue, and many established restaurants and businesses there. Over the years the Sunset neighbourhood has become for Vancouver’s estimated 160,000 South Asian residents a central assembly point of culture and commerce.
The number of Punjabi speakers increased steadily for decades. It is now the most common language in Sunset. More than one in four, 26 per cent of the Sunset population, in 2006 spoke Punjabi as their first language compared to less than three per cent of the general city population, 21 percent spoke Chinese, and 24 percent English. Businesses, restaurants, and services catering to these communities proliferated along Fraser and Main streets; prominent among them was the Punjabi Market.
Information Links:
http://southhillbia.ca
http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/sunset.aspx
http://www.mysunset.net
The Punjabi Market
The Punjabi Market is a commercial district and ethnic enclave in a roughly six-block section around Main Street and 49th Avenue. Vancouver is home to more than 200,000 people of Indian and Pakistani descent, nowhere more vibrant than at the Punjabi Market, a world of glittering bangles, flowing saris, and rich curry aromas. The neighbourhood gives visitors a glimpse of South Asian culture on Canada’s Pacific Coast. Shops sell fine silk saris in a rainbow of bright colors and elaborate gowns with thousands of tiny inlaid gems. Bhangra music from Bollywood films pumps out of storefronts. Fine jewelers offer exquisite gold rings, bracelets, and necklaces. In April, the Punjabi Market celebrates Vaisakhi Day, the Sikh New Year, with a colorful parade through the streets attracting thousands of spectators.
Vancouver’s Punjabi Market has been a city fixture for decades, but the 2013 municipal Assessment Roll Report finds the area in financial trouble: “Values here are down about 15 percent as the regional [Indo-Canadian] retail hub continues to shift towards Surrey.” Even Tourism Vancouver says the Punjabi Market is struggling. Once famous for many jewelry stores, the Punjabi Market now displays lots of empty space for lease. Elsewhere across the city, retail property value assessments rise but decline here as businesses relocate to Surrey.
The Punjabi Market Association says the district needs some help from the city, province, and federal governments if it’s going to survive. The Surrey Board of Trade says its city offers lower rents and taxes than does Vancouver.
New Sunset Live MLS Listings
Sunset, Vancouver, BC
-
650 E 49TH Avenue in Vancouver: South Vancouver House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2793003
650 E 49TH Avenue Vancouver V5W 2G9 
$2,500,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2793003
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,776 sq. ft.
TTENTION INVESTORS & DEVELOPERS ALERT! An excellent property that is situated in the popular Sunset catchment is awaiting your creativity. You can either hold on to this gem, or build your future detached home, duplex or multi unit project. If sold along with 610 E 49 Ave then you have land assembly which would yield approximately 11,200 square feet. Eligible for rezoning to RR-a@, RR-2B, RR-3A and RR-3B to build a 4-6 storey apartment (1.75 - 3.4 FSR) for city Streamline Rental Housing Policy. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
48 W 45TH Avenue in Vancouver: Oakridge VW House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2867917
48 W 45TH Avenue Vancouver V5Y 2V9
$2,499,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2867917
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,379 sq. ft.
This residence has been occupied by the same owner for the past 45+ years. It is situated in a premium location, walking distance to the new Oakridge Mall development and both skytrain stations on 41st and 49th avenue. Features include 2 bedrooms on the main floor and 1 bedroom downstairs. The main floor has a spacious 14x13 ft living room and a bright, sunny south facing kitchen. Backyard is suitable for garden lovers. More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
58 E 40TH Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2862549
58 E 40TH Avenue Vancouver V5W 1L4
$2,399,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2862549
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 2,058 sq. ft.
Queen Elizabeth Park. Quiet & central, private tree-lined street in an established neighbourhood. Prime opportunity for redevelopment into your dream home in the heart of the city or multi plex under new zoning regulations. Located between Main Street and Cambie, and three blocks from Queen Elizabeth Park. Walk to Oakridge. Conveniently located to the Canada Line & 2 blks to 41st Ave buses. Rarely available! Tenanted property - do not disturb. Open House Saturday April 13th 2-4pm More detailsListed by RE/MAX Select Properties - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
1311 E 60TH Avenue in Vancouver: South Vancouver House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2868024
1311 E 60TH Avenue Vancouver V5X 2A8
$2,398,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2868024
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 2,188 sq. ft.
Bright & Spacious Vancouver Special, South facing home with tranquil view of Richmond and water. Functional layout features 3 bedrooms upstairs, high ceiling living room, big windows, a lot of natural light. hardwood floor, granite countertops, marble window ledge, skylights, radiant heat & jetted bathtub. Self contain 2 bdrm & 1 bdrm suite on ground level with separate entrance. Well kept by original owner. Convenient location, close to transit, shops, Parks and schools. Easy access to Richmond. Must see to appreciate! More detailsListed by Pacific Evergreen Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
41 E 41ST Avenue in Vancouver: Main House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2864901
41 E 41ST Avenue Vancouver V5W 1N4
$2,300,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2864901
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,800 sq. ft.
Central location, Walking distance to Oakridge Mall, Canada-Line, Banking, transit and Queen Elizabeth Park. All the measurements are by listing realtor and approximate, buyer or agent to verify if deemed important. Both lots to be sold together. Total area of both lots ( 37 and 41 east 41st Ave ) is 10180 sq/ft with 90 feet front, Backing to Woodstock St. . Potential for 6 storey rental or change of zone to RR-2C. Inquire with the City. More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
