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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2835 W 5TH Avenue in Vancouver: Kitsilano House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2746264
2835 W 5TH Avenue Vancouver V6K 1T7 
$2,799,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2746264
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,798 sq. ft.
Located in the heart of the desirable Kitsilano neighbourhood, this substantial, 5 bedroom & 2 baths character home sits on an ideal oversized (6,113sf) lot with loads of potential! With three levels and 2,798 sq. ft. of living space this is a great home for a family. The upper level features 3 bedrooms all on one floor. The main floor has an oversized living room with a wood burning fireplace, large dining room, kitchen, an eating nook, and a home office. The lower floor features 2 bedrooms, second kitchen & separate entry. Centrally located in the Kitsilano Secondary, General Gordon Elementary school catchment, close to the best West Side private schools, and easy access to UBC, the airport, and Downtown. Easy access to Kitsilano Beach, cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets on 4th and Broadway. Possibilities and potential are endless: buy and hold, move-in & renovate, or build your dream home or duplex. More detailsListed by RE/MAX Select Properties
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2074 CREELMAN Avenue in Vancouver: Kitsilano 1/2 Duplex for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2734505
2074 CREELMAN Avenue Vancouver V6J 1C3
$2,598,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2734505
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,436 sq. ft.
Charming back 1/2 duplex located 1/2 a blk from Kits Beach in the highly coveted Kits Point Community. This 1,436 sq.ft home features two bedrooms on the lower floor, both with ensuites. A beautiful spiral staircase & solid oak floor greets you into this sun-drenched spacious main living area. A newly renovated Kitchen overlooks your large & very private deck that is perfect for entertaining. The top floor features a bright & spacious loft, perfect for a rec room or office and it can easily be converted a bedroom. Plenty of storage, one car private garage and ample street parking aswell. This home checks all boxes for the Kitsilano lifestyle! More detailsListed by RE/MAX Select Properties - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2926 W 12TH Avenue in Vancouver: Kitsilano House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2739935
2926 W 12TH Avenue Vancouver V6K 2R3
$2,590,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2739935
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 2,284 sq. ft.
Location! Location! Location! Investor alert, huge potential! Just 3 blocks away from the future MacDonald St skytrain station(Millennium Line UBC Extension). Perfect south exposed RS-5 Lot in Kits. House is in good condition with lots of update. Around 5 mins walking distance to Kits Secondary School and community center. Grocery store, restaurant, public transit, everything is in 10 mins walking distance, best location. Clear oil tank scan. More detailsListed by LeHomes Realty Premier - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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3623 W 2ND Avenue in Vancouver: Kitsilano 1/2 Duplex for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2730340
3623 W 2ND Avenue Vancouver V6R 1J6
$2,498,800Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2730340
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,919 sq. ft.
Gorgeous South-facing 1/2 Duplex, Nestled on the quiet & tree lined 2nd Ave where Kitsilano livability meets Point Grey prestige. Short walk to beach,seaside parks, UBC and West 4th Avenue boasting a startling variety of boutiques cafés, eateries,retailers,and services. As you walk up to this home, you are welcomed by sun-filled & lush landscaping yard.The french doors lead you to skylit living room & upgraded kitchen & dining room on the main floor. The upper floors is designed w/3 brs,2 baths and huge & high ceiling top floor family entertaining space & office,which opens to specious balcony with beautiful green canopy views westward to Point Grey.Quality built house in the most-sought after family-oriented Kitsilano community. Well kept and maintained home with move-in ready condition. More detailsListed by Homeland Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2017 CREELMAN Avenue in Vancouver: Kitsilano 1/2 Duplex for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2742602
2017 CREELMAN Avenue Vancouver V6J 1C2
$2,498,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2742602
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,601 sq. ft.
Steps from the beach, this beautifully updated rear 1/2 duplex is located in coveted Kits Point. Perfect home for entertaining, open floor plan on the main with chefs kitchen, powder room, and living space that extends out to the private fenced back yard with sauna, out door shower and gas fire pit. 3 sizeable bedrooms up as well as an open office. The primary bedroom has a broad walk in closet and spa like ensuite with soaker tub as well as a balcony to enjoy your morning coffee or a glass of wine at sunset. Skylights throughout the home for natural beauty and light, lots of storage and large attic space. Detached single garage and ample street parking. Just a quick stroll to all Kits has to offer! *Open House Saturday (28) & Sunday (29) 2:00 - 4:00 More detailsListed by Dexter Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
