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.
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.
Just completed gorgeous Renovation. Fabulous Penthouse level with dramatic vaulted ceilings, featured corner gas fireplace plus pretty Mountain Views. Full stainless steel appliance package. Hardwood laminate floors throughout+ stunning new master Ensuite. Exit elevators onto an open air breezeway to your front door. This suite has not been on the market in 31 years - Quick possession is possible. No wasted space, well designed 2 bedroom with 2 FULL baths. Included is 1 parking+ 1 storage locker. Best KITS location close to the beach, steps to restaurants, shopping plus the soon to be completed Broadway Subway Lines to UBC. This is a solid investment property for the future.More details
Welcome to this beautiful 4 storey boutique building in desirable Kitsilano, one of Vancouver's best neighborhoods just minutes drive to UBC and downtown. Walking distance to Jericho beach, parks, restaurants and retail. Bus stop is right in front of the property to downtown and along West Broadway. This 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom unit has a very efficient floorplan with over height ceilings of appx 9' & modern look throughout. Features Wide plank oak flooring and state of the art kitchen with premium Fisher & Paykel stainless steel appliances & In Suite Laundry. Bathrooms beautifully appointed with custom designed mirror and shelving with medicine cabinet for storage. One parking (#11) and a large storage included. By appointment.More details
AMAZING Kitsilano location. This beautiful property is an extremely rare find in one of the best neighbourhoods in town. Enjoy your fully renovated, South facing home, situated on the top floor and quiet side of the building. Octona is a boutique building with just 8 units. Split over 2 levels. This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom gem boasts an abundance of natural sunlight, renovations throughout, 2 generous sized balconies and comes with 1 pkg and 1 strge. Open plan living has been optimized to maximize functionality and space. Both bedrooms are ample sized with great storage too. Built in 2000, the character and charm of the building has been very well cared for. Close to amazing amenities including the beach, UBC, various coffee shops and more. Showings by appointment only.More details
Beautifully maintained townhouse-style 2 BDRM + FLEX in the coveted Connaught Place complex in Arbutus Walk. 2nd bedroom originally a den. This spacious suite with its open concept floor plan and XL private PATIO is great for entertaining and direct access to unit off street. Features includes large kitchen, additional FLEX space could be used as another office area, storage. Gas fireplace included in strata fee, insuite laundry, 1 storage locker and one secured parking. Easy street access and Arbutus Walk green space & playground just steps away, perfect for pets & kids. Close to shops, cafes, transit, a short walk to everything Kits Community Ctr, New Arbutus Train Station. Gordon Elem, Kits Secondary, St Johns Private School Pets and rentals ok.More details
Big, bright and beautiful 1 Bedroom in “The Bayswater", a Soho-inspired boutique brick building by Mosaic in the heart of Kitsilano. Open concept modern kitchen with high end integrated appliances, large island, caesar stone countertops plus separate work station. Generous living and dining areas with big Georgia-inspired windows and wide plank oak flooring. The location is simply amazing with an incredible walk score of 98! Unlimited shops and dining at your doorstep and just a short walk to the beach, Kits Pool or Recreation Centres. This fabulous unit comes with 1 underground parking stall and a private bike locker. Pets and Rentals OK! Open House this Saturday March 16th 1-3.More details