Grandview–Woodland is a neighbourhood in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada east of Downtown extending from the south shore of the Burrard Inlet to East Broadway with Clark Drive as the western and Nanaimo Street as the eastern border and containing most of popular Commercial Drive. The neighbourhood is a vibrant commercial, industrial, and residential mixture with a rich ethnic makeup. Busy Hastings Street and First Avenue run from west to east run through the neighbourhood while Victoria Drive and Commercial Drive run through it from north to south. Much of the neighbourhood is on an east-west rise of land that stretches through eastside Vancouver.
Grandview–Woodland had 27,297 residents in 2011, a slight decline from 28,205 in 2006, when there was a three-percent decrease from the 2001 Census. About 10 percent self-identify as aboriginal. Over 63 percent speak English as a first language, 14.4 percent Chinese, and French, Spanish, and Italian are also common. Two-thirds of residents are renters of low-rise apartment buildings. The median household income of $35,300 is substantially lower than the $47,000+ city average.
Historical Sketch
A small cove on the inlet was the first point of early development, a brewery followed by sawmills. After the sawmills clear-cut the entire Grandview–Woodland area, the Interurban electric train line to New Westminster after 1891 spurred expansion of the new community. One legend is that the name “Grand View” first appeared on a sign next to the Interurban stop near present the Commercial Drive/1st Avenue intersection. By 1906, booming construction had built homes throughout the neighbourhood. Commercial Drive became a major business thoroughfare, and people of many ethnic backgrounds moved into the neighbourhood during the early 20th Century.
Commercial Drive
Commercial Drive, a street of many small shops and perhaps the single most popular area of Grandview–Woodland, has been a key to commerce for nearly a century for its ethnic and cultural diversity of the shops that populate it. “The Drive” has ethnic hangouts that during the World Cup playoffs bring out soccer fans of many nationalities. So essential is it to the economic and socal life of Grandview-Woodland that most Vancouverites refer to the neighbourhood as the Commercial Drive area. The Drive has such a concentration of cafes that it’s an amazement that there is enough business for all, but each has its own loyal clientele, and cafe hopping is like a world tour of ethnicities.
In April 2012, the City of Vancouver began the process of creating a new Grandview-Woodland community plan, an official city document for guidance on land use, urban design, housing, transportation, and community facilities. Community plans set the terms for neighbourhood change and growth, influence what new buildings and developments come to the neighbourhood, and identify neighbourhood assets to preserve, public facilities to improve, and new initiatives to shape the neighbourhood’s future.
A June 2013 draft encountered a mixed reception. Although the community supported many proposed policies, others associated with gentrification and involuntary displacement met strong opposition. As the city describes the process, “The Citizens’ Assembly on the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan . . . will learn from planning specialists and community representatives, it will hear ideas and recommendations from the broader community, and it will develop its own recommendations . . . in a final report to Vancouver City Council no later than June 30, 2015.”
The city says the assembly of 48 randomly-selected registered volunteers broadly representing Grandview-Woodland diversity will meet on ten Saturdays between September 2014 and April 2015 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will conduct three public roundtables to hear from the community.
Home with 2.6 acres in Grandview area South Surrey. Great opportunity for developers and investors! Superb luxury home with impeccable maintenance and unbeatable development potential. This grand estate offers 8,900 square feet of living space, featuring 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Exquisite custom millwork is evident throughout the residence. The spacious and majestic living room, and chef's kitchen with a dual island design, exude sophistication. High ceilings and large windows fill the interior with natural light. The master suite is situated on the main floor and includes a two-sided fireplace, a sunlit terrace, a luxurious bathroom with a steam/massage shower, and a jetted tub. 4 spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms upstairs, all adorned with HW floors.More details
Excellent development property with short distance to brand new schools, renowned aquatic centre, shopping district & highway access. Situated in Grandview NCP area 5, this property is currently designated up to 15 units/acre and is already connected to city services with secondary road access available on its north side for future servicing & development. Large 3,500 sqft. 3 beds and 2 baths cozy home with walkout basement offering large recreation room, games room and separate entry. Great holding, investment & live-in property, call now!More details
Listed by Royal LePage Northstar Realty (S. Surrey)
Luxurious Mediterranean-Inspired Estate in Grandview Heights. This iconic 11,829sqft mansion boasts exquisite workmanship throughout with limestone details, inlaid stone floors, custom millwork and much more. Grand foyer sets the tone of sophistication and class with a striking crystal chandelier. Gorgeous Living Room with garden views, private Dining Room perfect for dinner parties, and an open-concept Great Room with patio access. 2 Chef's Kitchens with Viking Appliances. Private home office and Primary Suite on the main. Upper level boasts a second Primary Suite and a hidden games room. Lower level complete with a bar, wine room, gym, and theatre. Situated on a beautiful 46,261sqft gated acreage, this mansion is for the most discerning buyer! Steps to Southridge Private School.More details
PACIFIC HEIGHTS MANOR - Designed for a Joint Family, welcome to this blend of impeccable craftsmanship with state of the art technology. This 9,000+ sqft, 1 Acre estate is built for luxury family life and grand entertaining. Gracious foyer, sweeping staircase, designer railings, 20' Vaulted ceiling great room with sliding glass doors opening to beautiful private courtyard. Grand bedrooms with spa-like ensuites and walk-in closets. Solar panels, Power Generator, Radiant in floor heating, Air Conditioning, Thermador appliances, Control4 home automation, Home theatre, Extensive millwork, Custom lighting, Gas fire pit, In ground sprinklers, 5 balconies, 6 car garage+Large 10 car driveway and much more. This home is made for entertaining and everyday living, with plenty of space and potential.More details
Enjoy the relaxed elegance of a gated English Country Manor on 1.11 acre of easy-care grounds with spectacular panoramic valley/mountain views in central Grandview! This magnificent home with triple garage is custom designed & built for family life & entertainment. Bright two-storey high great room opens to cook's kitchen with large island & Viking appliances. Your 33'x18' Trex deck leads to two outdoor calming ponds, waterfalls, saltwater pool, kids area & flagstone gas firepit cocooned by specimen trees & plants. Primary suite features a gas fireplace & clawfoot tub. Basement features a theatre/gamesroom & full sized gym. The 2nd dwelling is 1200sq. feet coach house perfect for guest/inlaws with 42' deep double bay garage and heated workshop. Live in Luxury & await future development!More details
Magnificent one acre estate with mountain view on quiet cul-de-sac in prestigious neighbourhood. Grand entrance, formal living, dining rooms, luxurious master with stunning ensuite, walk-in closet with washer/dryer, spectacular open concept great room and kitchen/massive island, exceptional walk-in pantry, computer area off kitchen easily converted to wok kitchen. Huge basement included 9ft ceiling, open entertainment area with bar, impressive wine cellar, two walk out areas onto gorgeous gardens. This custom home was built to exacting standards using wood windows and exceptional quality materials & fixtures. Easy walk to prestigious Southridge private school.More details
Extremely rare opportunity to own a non-conforming side-by side duplex on an acreage in beautiful South Surrey with over 5100 sqft of living space. Expansive 48,000+ sqft or 1.12 acre lot. Can be easily converted into 4 separate suites with high rental income. Additional guest suite behind the main house, several large storage structures, and large, open carport that can easily accommodate 3 full-size vehicles plus extra open space for your RVs and boats. Beautiful gardens with mature trees and a koi pond. Super private setting, walking distance to Pacific Heights Elementary the brand new community centre. It's a beautiful piece of property to call home or hold as an investment for future re-development potential. CALL TODAYMore details
Welcome to one of the most prestigious homes in April Creek with a spectacular view! Set on over 14,000 sqft beautifully landscaped lot with mountain views, this home redefines luxury living designed by joe Muego Architect. Home features an elevator, top of the line appliances, custom hardwood floors, A/C and overall attention to detail. 4 beds and 4 baths up. Main floor offers a gracious foyer, formal living/dining, custom gourmet kitchen, a wok kitchen, office and playroom. The lower level impresses with a wet bar, media room, sauna, gym and legal nanny suite. Outdoor sitting area has a wood burning fireplace, chef's kitchen, pizza oven and commercial heaters for all year round entertainment. Minutes from Aquatic Center, Southridge School, Grandview corners & Morgan Creek Golf course.More details
Executive home with spectacular Valley & Mountain Views! Perched on 1.12 acres of professionally landscaped grounds, this spectacular 5400+ sqft 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom estate residence located in the heart of Grandview. This home offers a functional floor plan, offering spacious formal living/dining areas, a chefs kitchen + wok kitchen, a private office, 3 car garage and a family room overlooking the spectacular views of the mountains. The lower level offers a gymnasium, great entertainment area for movie nights, billiards, games area and much more. Minutes from Southridge Private school, Morgan Creek Golf Course, Shops and Restaurants. Call now to book your private showings.More details
Welcome to this impeccable, completely updated, two level colonial style home sits on a sun drenched, west facing, extremely private, one acre lot and is arguably the nicest lot in the highly coveted Country Woods neighborhood. The home features five big generous bedrooms upstairs with a very practical recreation room above the enormous 3 car garage. The main floor was renovated, open floor concept, creating an inviting and intimate family social setting and as well great for entertaining. With the new Aquatic center and the future Secondary school coming and close to all of your local shopping, not only is it the perfect home / area for the growing family, but it will prove to be an excellent long term investment. The seller spent $200,000 installing new roof and patio/deck last SeptemberMore details