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.
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.
Developer & Investor Alerts - Land Assembly, Located at Cambie Corridor. Walking distance to Marine Drive Canada Line station, Marine Gateway shopping complex, Winona park, Langara college and Langara Golf course. Excellent Transit. Do not miss the development opportunity for a 3 Lots Assembly with a total of 16,695 SQFT. The project has potential for a 6 Storey Secured Rental Policy Building. Potential density of 2.5-2.71 FSR. To be sold as part of a land assembly. (3 Marine Drive SE / 7970/7950/7936 Ontario Street)More details
Custom built home in beautiful neighborhood & very desirable Cambie area, walking distance to QE Park, Oakridge Mall, Canada Line, and the new Eric Hamber School, Hillcrest Centre. High Quality finishing with AC, HRV, Marble, granite, hardwood throughout the house, Sub-zero fridge, gas stove, Huge kitchen with island & large spice kitchen. High Ceiling 10'6 on main, 9' upstairs, and 10' basement, 3 large bedrooms upstairs all with ensuite. Separate 3 Bedroom Rental Suite with its own kitchen & laundry great for rental income. From dining room open up to a large patio for your enjoyment of fresh air and private back yard. This house can be purchased w/the property next door to build 6 storeys building part of Cambie Corridor Phase 3 redevelopment plan. Call LR for more details & book appmt!More details
Developers and Investors Alert!! Selling together with 195,187,181,173 W 41ST Ave.!! The total area is 18726 Square feet. Excellent investment property in the Prime Oakridge area. This property is located within the Cambie Corridor plan Per the latest BC Bill 47, the FSR here is 3, allowing for the construction of an 8-story apartment! An excellent investment opportunity! Only 4 blocks from the Canada Line Skytrain & Oakridge Mall. Close to Q.E. Park and easy access to Downtown. Character Bungalow on the property in good condition, the current rent is approx $3000.More details
Developers and Investors Alert!! Selling together with 195,187,181,173 W 41ST Ave.!! The total area is 18726 Square feet. Excellent investment property in the Prime Oakridge area. This property is located within the Cambie Corridor plan.Per the latest BC Bill 47, the F.S.R here is 3, allowing for the construction of an 8-story apartment! An excellent investment opportunity! Only 4 blocks from the Canada Line Skytrain & Oakridge Mall. Close to Q.E. Park and easy access to Downtown.Character Bungalow on the property in good condition, the current rent is approx $3000More details
Presenting an exquisite property with laneway house nestled in south Vancouver, offering picturesque views of Richmond and a rear yard facing south. This luxury CUSTOME BUILD home boasts over 4000 sqft indoor space, seamlessly marrying elegance with practicality. Featuring 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and 4 kitchens, outfitted with high-end appliances & all new lighting fixtures. 2 basement suites with separate entrance + laneway offer $7000 per month cash flow, perfect for mortgage helper. This convenient location with nearby amenities such as Superstore, bus transit, restaurants and shops, is easy access to airport, downtown and Richmond. School catchment: Moberly Elementary, John Oliver Secondary and Churchill Secondary. Call your showing today!More details
Developer & Investor Alerts - Land Assembly, Located at Cambie Corridor. Walking distance to Marine Drive Canada Line station, Marine Gateway shopping complex, Winona park, Langara college and Langara Golf course. Excellent Transit. Do not miss the development opportunity for 6 Lots Assembly total of 28,266 SQFT. The project got potential for a 6 storey residential apartment. Potential density of 2.5 FSR. To be sold as part of a land assembly. Land Value only. (8050 Columbia St. 276/282/286/288/298 W 64th Ave.)More details
Listed by RE/MAX Crest Realty and Magsen Realty Inc.
Location, Location, Location! This beautiful custom-built house stands in the Center of Vancouver. Featuring Radiant heat and central A/C, this Fully functional layout with an open concept main floor with living, dining and family room. Upstairs contains 3 large bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. 2 legal suites bring in two mortgage helpers with a potential to make a third; the 4 bedroom basement suite with 3 bathrooms and a very spacious laneway house with 2 bathrooms. Quiet inside street. Close to restarants, cafes and Langara College! Do Not Miss This Opportunity!! Open House: Sun, Mar 31st, 2-4pm.More details
Developer & Investor Alerts - Land Assembly, Located at Cambie Corridor. Walking distance to Marine Drive Canada Line station, Marine Gateway shopping complex, Winona park, Langara college and Langara Golf course. Excellent Transit. Do not miss the development opportunity for 6 Lots Assembly total of 28,266 SQFT. The project got potential for a 6 storey residential apartment. Potential density of 2.5 FSR. To be sold as part of a land assembly. Land Value only. (8050 Columbia St. 276/282/286/288/298 W 64th Ave.)More details
Listed by RE/MAX Crest Realty and Magsen Realty Inc.
Developer & Investor Alerts - Land Assembly, Located at Cambie Corridor. Walking distance to Marine Drive Canada Line station, Marine Gateway shopping complex, Winona park, Langara college and Langara Golf course. Excellent Transit. Do not miss the development opportunity for a 3 Lots Assembly with a total of 16,695 SQFT. The project has potential for a 6 Storey Secured Rental Policy Building. Potential density of 2.5-2.71 FSR. To be sold as part of a land assembly. (3 Marine Drive SE / 7970/7950/7936 Ontario Street)More details
Developer & Investor Alerts - Land Assembly for Vancouver Secured Rental Program. Walking distance to Marine Drive Canada Line station, Marine Gateway shopping complex, Winona park, Langara college and Langara Golf course. Excellent Transit. Do not miss the development opportunity for a 3 Lots Assembly with a total of 16,695 SQFT. The project has potential for a 5-6 Storey Secured Rental Policy Building. Potential density of 2.2 - 2.4 FSR. To be sold as part of a land assembly. (3 Marine Drive SE/ 7970/795 Ontario Street)More details