Kitsilano Life
A Vancouver Beach Neighbourhood
The Kitsilano westside neighbourhood of the Canadian City of Vancouver in British Columbia is on the shore of English Bay on the north between the flanking neighbourhoods of Point Grey at Alma Street on the west and Fairview east at Burrard Street on the east. West 16th Avenue is the southern border with the neighbourhoods of Dunbar, Arbutus Ridge, and Shaughnessy. Notable neighbourhood landmarks are the Burrard Street Bridge, a five-lane, Art Deco style, steel-truss bridge constructed in 1932 to connect Kitsilano to Downtown Vancouver, the splendid Kitsilano Beach, and the Maritime Museum and MacMillan Space Centre, both in Vanier Park near the beach. Kitsilano hosts the annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival, Bard on the Beach outdoor Shakespeare festival, and Celebration of Light fireworks competition.
Mostly residential with commercial areas on West 4th Avenue and West Broadway, Kitsilano’s population was 40,595 according to the 2006 Census, a 2.5-percent increase from 2001. English is the dominant language of area residents followed by Chinese; however, French, German, Greek, Japanese, and Spanish are not uncommon. About 75.0 percent speak English as their native language, 4.5 percent Chinese, and 3.2 percent French. The 2006 neighbourhood median household income was $53,455, and 21.3 percent of residents live in low-income households.
Historical Development
Vancouver streetcar lines once had a loop at Arbutus & Cornwall, making the beach area easily accessible from the new city, then still mostly on the small Downtown peninsula on the north side of the Burrard Street Bridge over False Creek. The Lulu Island Railway opened an interurban line from Downtown Granville & Pacific streets to Richmond via Seventh Avenue and Arbutus Street through Kerrisdale in the 1890s, putting more of the neighbourhood within easy range of Downtown.
An inexpensive neighbourhood in the 1960s, Kitsilano attracted many countercultural residents from across Canada and the USA and became with Gastown one of two such city neighbourhoods gentrified in later decades. Easy access to Downtown Vancouver and walking distance to parks, beaches, and ever popular Granville Island in Fairview have made the neighbourhood very desirable. Following the days of the counterculture, many environmentalists came to Vancouver. Greenpeace opened its first office in Kitsilano in 1975 as did the Green Party of British Columbia in 1983.
Information Links:
http://shopwest4th.com/
http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/kitsilano.aspx
http://kitscc.com
Parks and Beaches
Kitsilano has seventeen parks, six playgrounds, an off-leash dog park, and one of Vancouver’s finest, most popular beaches with a franchise restaurant, the heated, salt-water outdoor Kitsilano Pool open from May to September, longest (137 metres/150 yards) swimming pool in Canada, and the Kitsilano Showboat, which has operated since 1935 as essentially an open-air amphitheatre with free performances from local bands and dance groups to entertain residents and tourists and showcase amateur talent.
No New Beach Bicycle Trail for Now
After months of vocal opposition and a lawsuit, the Vancouver park board in February 2014 gave up on plans for a new $2.2 million bicycle trail through Hadden Park and Kitsilano Beach and directed its staff to improve safety on the present trail through the parks. Opponents obtained in November 2013 a court order enjoining the board from breaking ground on the project until the case against it could be heard fully. An opposition spokesman said she was happy that “we won’t be putting blacktop through our precious green space.” The discontinued proposed project would have completed the city’s Seaside Greenway route from Coal Harbour to Jericho Beach Park on English Bay in the Point Grey neighbourhood several miles west of Kitsilano Beach.
New Kitsilano Live MLS Listings
Kitsilano Life: A Vancouver Beach Neighbourhood
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2495 POINT GREY Road in Vancouver: Kitsilano House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2767830
2495 POINT GREY Road Vancouver V6K 1A1 
$22,880,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2767830
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 5,986 sq. ft.
A spectacular, bespoke WATERFRONT home on lower POINT GREY RD. Relax to the gentle sounds of the waves at this beautiful, secluded oasis. Rebuilt with great care by a master craftsman over 6 years with exquisite details and quality, this ultra-unique 4 bedroom home is a nod to the Gamble House Architecture, and is a once-in-a-lifetime find, the rebuild was completed in 2009. Complete with 100 year old timbers, stained glass, irreplaceable African Lingue wood floors, kofford beams, hand-cut German Quarry-Free Slate Roof and the original stone fireplace created with stones from English Bay. Bask in Glorious views from all 3 levels, entertain in the Grand Hall, enjoy the incredible chef's kitchen, the Primary suite is truly captivating, this special lot is elevated, and privacy is paramount. More detailsListed by Prompton Real Estate Services Inc.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2487 POINT GREY Road in Vancouver: Kitsilano House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2816119
2487 POINT GREY Road Vancouver V6K 1A1
$15,995,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2816119
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 4,628 sq. ft.
Lower Point Grey Road - Vancouver's street of dreams - the Golden Mile.... This is one of only 9 single family waterfront residences on this exclusive tree lined street. 17' high dramatic windows welcome you to the unobstructed views of the city, the North Shore Mountains and sunsets. Main level enjoys open floor plan with spacious living room, dining room and kitchen with breakfast nook opening out to a 2 level waterside deck and lawn area. The upper levels feature an oversized primary bedroom and ensuite w/ three other bedrooms an office and a 700sf rooftop patio! The lower level with rec room, wet bar and family room is a perfect retreat for the kids. Fantastic Vancouver lifestyle, easy access to all amenities, 2 car garage w/ extra parking on the driveway. A golden opportunity.. More detailsListed by Engel & Volkers Vancouver - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2711 POINT GREY Road in Vancouver: Kitsilano House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2770911
2711 POINT GREY Road Vancouver V6K 1A4
$15,750,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2770911
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 4,870 sq. ft.
This is simply a world class property with plans & permits for a world class home. Evoke Architecture has designed an amazing 4400sf home, sitting on this waterfront 7,229sf lot, w/ sweeping 180 degree views of the North Shore Mountains & English Bay. This 2 year design and permitting process will save any prospective buyer not only time, but a considerable amount of money (Arch, Consultants, Demo, Cons Planning, Financing and City Fees). Natural Balance Home Builders is ready start the process in a matter of weeks, while still allowing any buyer to make cosmetic changes to suit their own tastes. Currently the plans feature a 4 car garage w/ car elevator & turntable, rooftop deck w/ hot tub, 28’ POOL, views from all 3 floors, & 4 bed, office, & den. Call for your private tour of the property. More detailsListed by Stilhavn Real Estate Services and Oakwyn Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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3141 POINT GREY Road in Vancouver: Kitsilano House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2799284
3141 POINT GREY Road Vancouver V6K 1B3
$12,980,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2799284
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 2,859 sq. ft.
Introducing 3141 Point Grey Road, meticulously crafted and reimagined by Paul Merrick, boasting breathtaking ocean, city and mountain views from all three levels. Features include a private sun-filled courtyard with thoughtful landscaping, a soaring entry way, expansive dining and living room with truly spectacular views, a gourmet kitchen with top of the line appliances opening to comfortable family room with direct patio access, three bedrooms up including a principal bedroom you will never want to leave complete with fully customized walk in closet and stunning ensuite. There is an office and bathroom down and rec-room with direct access to an incredibly spacious, waterfront patio space — perfect for both large cocktail parties and intimate dinner parties. This incredible property offers an extraordinary lifestyle for those desiring an exceptional waterfront home, mere minutes from downtown Vancouver. More detailsListed by Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2027 YORK Avenue in Vancouver: Kitsilano House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2807792
2027 YORK Avenue Vancouver V6J 1E4
$7,498,800Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2807792
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 8,776 sq. ft.
Foreclosure sale. Great opportunity to start building ASAP! Attention builders and land bankers, we want to introduce a special 4 townhome project to you. The Development is situated in prime Kitsilano, mins walk to Vanier Park, Kitsilano beach and Wholefoods. This is a highly sought after area by young families and working professionals. Here is your opportunity to hold or build 4 townhomes designed by a local architect Eric Stine, a specialist in contemporary living. The foundation and walls have been laid out ready for you and your team to complete the interiors. BP and DP in place and ready to go. Kitsilano is an area known for its best beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets for its easy access to the water, walk score 10/10! More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
