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.
Located in the heart of Commercial Drive and seamlessly connected to the downtown core, EC3 is a new community built for a modern lifestyle. This boutique project features 8 architecturally designed 2 & 3-bedroom townhomes built with care by boutique builders, The Saint Group. These sophisticated residences offer luxury, comfort, and community at an accessible price point. So what are you waiting for? East is calling!More details
This desirable executive Wills Creek Townhome with an excellent floor plan offering 4 bedrooms, den and loft with Geothermal heated & Air conditioning(included in strata fee) .Great room with vaulted ceiling and a gourmet kitchen, perfect for indoor outdoor entertaining year round. Top floor offers a Primary bdrm with ensuit, 2 bdrm and loft for home office. Basement has a large media room and a wet bar, guest bedroom, full bathroom and a huge storage area. Enjoy your own private Oasis with the largest corner unit in the complex showcasing quality workmanship and a huge yard with an unobstructed view of the green belt. Amenities include; outdoor pool, hot tub, exercise gym. Close to golf course, shops, Southridge Private School and Morgan Elementary & Earl Marriott Secondary School.More details
Unique Spacious DETACHED HOME STRATA CARE at popular SKYLANDS in the heart of Grandview Morgan Heights! The 1st OWNER Luxury home within very well maintenance. Spacious 3,200 interior layout w/ Separate ENTRANCE basement + Double Side garage. Rare user-oriented DUAL MASTER-bedroom-ensuite (main floor and above). Potentially recover more functional bedrooms if needed. SOUTH face sunshine exposure skylight w/ 18-FOOT high ceilings in Living room. The last phase CORNOR END unit in the community, 3-side natural light. Enjoy family B.B.Q at Sole-Private backyard. Trail to steps away Top catchment and Shopping center. Gorgeous property and lots of bonus must see is perfect for families and couple.More details
Back unit 1/2 duplex with rental suite. Check out this well kept one owner home with 1509 sqft of living space 4 beds and 3 full bath. Great layout on the top floor with 3 beds and 2 full bath, Maple kitchen cabinets, SS appliances and quartz counter top. Laminate floor throughout and gas fire place in the living room. central location, easy access to downtown, restaurants, shops, supermarket, bank, library, gyms and much more.More details
Welcome home to #59 at BLU Living. At almost 3,000 SF this corner unit, semi-detached home offers the most sought after location in the complex where you can find peace + tranquility in your own private backyard surrounded by green space and trails. With a modern design aesthetic, you'll love the beautiful finishes throughout including soaring 9 ft ceilings, hardwood flooring and stunning chef’s kitchen with oversized quartz island and premium SS appliances. Custom upgrades include contemporary wall treatments, built in's, lighting and A/C. This ideal family layout offers a rare “4 beds up” floor plan with a 5th bedroom on the ground floor providing endless options for a nanny/in law suite, mortgage helper or keep as is. Bonus - attached double garage. Open House Sun 1-3pm!More details