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
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1108 E 53RD Avenue in Vancouver: South Vancouver Townhouse for sale in "The Ross Residences" (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2866290
1108 E 53RD Avenue Vancouver V5X 0H9 
$1,798,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2866290
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,884 sq. ft.
GEORGIE AWARD FINALIST 2024! Welcome to The Ross Residences! Spectacular brand new 3 bdrm home. Kitchen w/gas stove, quartz counters. Upper floor walk around height w/lots of potential. Primary bdrm w/spa-like bathroom. Radiant in-floor heating. 7"white oak engineered floors. Air conditioning. Finished garage w/heated floors. EV ready! S,W,E & N exposure. Huge sunny deck w/gas BBQ hook-up. Beautiful exclusive use front yard w/gas BBQ hook-up. Situated in quiet residential location, these 6 individually unique homes are thoughtfully designed & built, each w/private entrance & patio/garden area. Beautiful landscaping throughout. 2-5-10 Warranty. Award Winning Builder. This is an amazing home you MUST SEE to realize the potential it has for you and your family! OPEN HOUSE SUN Apr 14th 2-4pm More detailsListed by Nexus Realty Corp.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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5538 CHESTER Street in Vancouver: Fraser VE House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2867581
5538 CHESTER Street Vancouver V5W 3B2
$1,790,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2867581
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 2,253 sq. ft.
This house was originally built in 1912 at very convenient and quiet location and completely rebuilt in 1994 and renovated in 2024. This home boasts an efficient layout with 2 suites, 2 kitchens, 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms. The ground level is a well developed 3 bedrooms with separate entrance - a perfect mortgage helper. Close to all amenities. Good Street appeal and also backs into a green field and school. Property has back lane alley and has potential value for lane-way house. Only 2 blocks from Mackenzie Elementary & 3 blocks to John Oliver Secondary. Shoppers Drug Mart and a PC grocery store are just one block away! Excellent starter or for investment. Make your viewing appointment now! Try use 3D Virtual Tour(Matterport). More detailsListed by Selmak Realty Limited - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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455 E 61ST Avenue in Vancouver: South Vancouver 1/2 Duplex for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2855170
455 E 61ST Avenue Vancouver V5X 2B7
$1,788,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2855170
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 1,670 sq. ft.
Experience luxury living in this captivating 4-bed, 3.5-bath half-duplex with breathtaking views! This modern duplex offers an open layout connecting the kitchen, living, dining, and outdoor spaces, creating a welcoming and bright space for entertaining. The kitchen is a culinary haven with premium S/S Fisher-Paykel appliances, sleek countertops, and ample storage. Enjoy year-round comfort with a 10' eclipse door leading to your fully fenced private backyard, in-floor heating, and A/C. One-car garage with EV charging and abundant storage solutions add convenience. Situated near Marine Drive's dining and retail, this home is within the catchment area of renowned schools like Elliot Trudeau Elementary and John Oliver Secondary, making it an exceptional residence that embodies luxury and convenience! More detailsListed by RE/MAX City Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1333 E 41ST Avenue in Vancouver: Knight House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2859976
1333 E 41ST Avenue Vancouver V5W 1R5
$1,750,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2859976
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,341 sq. ft.
Amazing location for this prime lot! (33x97) This 7 bedroom and 2 bathroom great starter home for first time home buyer or builder. Convenient location, close to proximity to parks and schools. Easy access to public transposition and shops. More detailsListed by Royal LePage West Real Estate Services - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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927 E 51ST Avenue in Vancouver: South Vancouver House for sale (Vancouver East) : MLS®# R2865178
927 E 51ST Avenue Vancouver V5X 1E4
$1,749,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2865178
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,980 sq. ft.
Priced to sell promptly is this superbly renovated residence featuring a great floor plan with a spacious 1033 sq ft two bedroom family accommodation up, plus a further 947 sqft 2 bedroom ground level suite with high rental income potential. Please note the top floor is currently rented for $3000 per month. More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
