Gastown in Peace and War
Where Vancouver Began
Gastown, a National Historic Site of Canada, is the area northeast of Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, within Hastings, Main, and Richards Streets and the Burrard Inlet waterfront. Vancouver’s first downtown core, where it all began and where the roots remain visible in cobblestone streets and antique streetlights, all of which look like a slice of history between the high-rises of Downtown and the waterfront train yard. Gastown’s name comes from legendary “Gassy” Jack Deighton, a steamboat captain who in 1867 opened the first saloon.
Early Gastown prospered as the site of a sawmill, a seaport, and, not least, an after-hours resort for loggers, fishermen, and the crews of sailing ships. In 1886, the town incorporated as the City of Vancouver but lost all but two of its buildings in the Great Vancouver Fire of that same year. The rebuilt area thrived again as an important ferry and steamship docking and staging area with Hastings and Main as the town centre.
Preserving the Visible 19th Century
After the Great Depression of the 1930s, Gastown fell into decay, decline, and disrepair as a skid row area of cheap beer parlours and flophouses. In the 1960s, citizen concern over preservation of Gastown’s distinctive architecture, which, as in nearby Chinatown and Strathcona, was to be torn down to clear space for a freeway into Downtown, drove a campaign that in 1971 persuaded the provincial government to declare the area an historical site to protect its heritage buildings.
Perhaps Gastown’s most famous landmark is the steam-powered clock at Cambie and Water streets. Built to cover a steam grate of Vancouver’s distributed steam-heating system, the clock prevents street people from sleeping on the grate in cold weather. The low-pressure downtown-wide steam heating network from a plant adjacent to the Georgia Viaduct powers a miniature steam engine in the clock’s base.
Entertainment and Hospitality
Gastown endured decades of neglect as the derelict part of town. Recent revitalization has turned skid row into a stylish destination of unusual enterprises in entertainment, gastronomy, and hospitality. On Alexander Street near Main in the northeastern corner of Gastown, the Alibi Room has “50 taps of local & imported craft beer,” some exclusive to the pub, for beer lovers. On Water Street, there are great meal deals at Pourhouse. On Blood Alley Square, a banner of an upside-down salt shaker beckons passersby to the Salt Tasting Room, a small, friendly tavern where patrons can “assemble a Tasting Plate from our chalkboard’s selection of 10 cheeses, 10 meats, and 10 condiments. The selections change constantly, making it almost impossible to have the same Salt experience twice.”
Visitor Parking
For visitors to Vancouver, parking is no easier and probably more difficult in the busy nightlife of Gastown than in any other part of Downtown Vancouver. Fortunately, the presence one block west of Richards and Water streets of the SkyTrain Waterfront Station and the terminal of the Seabus to North Vancouver makes Gastown access much easier than by car.
Gastown RiotGastown entertainment and hospitality were in unusually short supply on 7 August 1971, when hundreds converged on Maple Tree Square at Alexander, Powell, and Water streets to protest drug law raids. By 10:00 AM, the crowd numbered almost 2,000. After reports of broken windows, the police decided to clear the crowd. After the crowd ignored a warning to disperse, police officers on horseback and in riot gear took action in a battle with people throwing rocks and bottles. An investigation found that the crowd had not degenerated into a mob and that individual officers had used “unnecessary, unwarranted, and excessive force.” Investigator recommendations were to ban demonstrators from taking over public streets, to train police officers specifically for crowd control, to use horses for crowd control on sidewalks only, and to eliminate the use of plainclothes officers for crowd control. |
Information Links:http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/hastings.aspx http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/dtes-local-area-plan.aspx
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New Gastown Live MLS Listings
Gastown, Vancouver, BC
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305 128 W CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "Woodwards - W43" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2874470
305 128 W CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6B 0E6 
$779,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2874470
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 981 sq. ft.
Incredible value offered at this large, 981sqft, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom home in the iconic Woodwards building. This quiet, southeast corner unit faces the inner courtyard & SFU, with wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows and 2 Juliet balconies. The functional layout features a gourmet kitchen with polished stone slab countertops, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood floors. Some of the best amenities downtown include a large gym, sky lounge, study room, outdoor kitchen area, and hot tub, with 360-degree views from the 42nd floor. 24-hour concierge. Walking distance to the SeaBus, Sky Train (Canada & Expo lines) and some of the best shops and restaurants in the city. OPEN HOUSE:SAT/SUN APRIL 27/28, 1-3 PM More detailsListed by Rennie & Associates Realty Ltd.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2004 108 W CORDOVA Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2860343
2004 108 W CORDOVA Street Vancouver V6B 0G5
$749,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2860343
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 712 sq. ft.
Sweeping city/ocean/mountain views from one of the best floorplans at Woodwards. Perched high above the city, this spacious Southeast facing corner unit has an open layout designed for entertaining. Features include stainless appliances, gas range, stone countertops, polished concrete ceilings, upgraded bathroom vanity top, updated washer/dryer, plus hardwood and black porcelain tile flooring. Plenty of closet space and a nice sized private patio to BBQ on or catch the sun rising over Mt. Baker! Building amenities are top notch with 24 hr concierge, incredible rooftop gym, W-shaped hot tub, pool tables, and social lounge. Location can't be beat with London Drugs, JJ Bean, Nesters Market all downstairs. More detailsListed by Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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604 36 WATER Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale in "Terminus" (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2857291
604 36 WATER Street Vancouver V6B 0B7
$749,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2857291
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 753 sq. ft.
Presenting this MODERN, FUNKY, & VIBRANT home n the heart of Gastown! This historic hotel was redesigned, saving the historical hotel facade & creating a boutique building with modern interiors with great attention to detail. Facing South with a huge picture window overlooking what is an exciting & vibrant redesign of Blood Alley Square. Interior features 10' ceilings, open concept style, geothermal heating & cooling, bamboo flooring, ceramic tile, glass doors elevating the washroom, in-suite laundry, & a large storage. The kitchen is fully integrated & features stainless steel backsplash/counters. A rooftop patio exists with a kitchen, TV area, gardens, BBQ, & outdoor seating. Walking distance to some of Vancouver's BEST shops & restaurants! More detailsListed by Multiple Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1703 438 SEYMOUR Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2868363
1703 438 SEYMOUR Street Vancouver V6B 6H4
$739,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2868363
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 721 sq. ft.
Welcome to conference plaza, at one of the best locations in the city. Steps away from water front station. Easy access to downtown CBD, This 2 bedrooms and 2 bathroom unit features an incredibly efficient layout including a bright solarium that many have turned into their dream office space. From the solarium enjoy the peekaboo views of the water and the mountains. The building features high end hotel amenities such as swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, state of the art gym. Where else can you find such a combination of layout, location, and convenience? Call today before it is sold. More detailsListed by Jovi Realty Inc. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2203 438 SEYMOUR Street in Vancouver: Downtown VW Condo for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2865051
2203 438 SEYMOUR Street Vancouver V6B 6H4
$738,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2865051
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 721 sq. ft.
Conference Plaza next to Delta Hotel downtown Vancouver. This bright 2 BEDROOM plus LARGE SOLARIUM unit on the 22nd floor boasts a SPECTACULAR VIEW of the water, mountain and the city. This unit has the PERFECT LAYOUT and the bedrooms and the solarium are good size. Minutes to walk to skytrain, seabus and buses. Surrounded by numerous restaurants, shops and schools including SFU downtown location. BRAND NEW FLOOR and MOLDINGS including baseboards and NEWLY PAINTED. No rental restriction and high rental income. The building has hotel graded indoor POOL, Sauna, Hot tub & GYM, 24HR CONCIERGE and security systems in place. Unbeatable location 2blocks to Waterfront AND Granville station. The best unit for living and/or an investment! No Pets. More detailsListed by Royal LePage Sussex - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
