Main Street in Vancouver, British Columbia is a major north-south thoroughfare that bisects the city nearly equally between the westside neighbourhoods that extend to the University Endowment Lands on the ocean and the eastside limits of Boundary Road, which marks where the the City of Burnaby begins. From north to south Main Street crosses the Vancouver neighbourhoods of Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, Riley Park, and Sunset. Major east-west intersections with Main Street from north to south are Cordova Street, Hastings Street, Georgia Viaduct, Terminal Avenue, Broadway, 12th Avenue, King Edward Avenue, 33rd Avenue, 41st Avenue, 49th Avenue, and Southeast Marine Drive.
From Waterfront Road where it begins by the Burrard Inlet, Main Street runs southward all the way to Kent Avenue, where it ends by the Fraser River, Vancouver’s southern limit. En route, the street runs through Chinatown below Hastings Street, continues past the Pacific Central railway and the Main Street/Science World SkyTrain stations, and at Terminal Avenue ascends into the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, a residential/commercial mixture that continues south of Broadway with numerous restaurants and some fashion retail. Property values in Mount Pleasant, once working-class, are definitely on the rise.
Between 33rd and 41st avenues Main becomes more residential in its ascent to high ground. In the Sunset neighbourhood south of 41st Avenue, the street acquires an Indo-Canadian character. The Punjabi Market district begins just north of 49th Avenue, south of which the street again becomes almost entirely residential. At Main Street’s intersection with Marine Drive in South Vancouver, it becomes big-box commercial with a Real Canadian superstore and a miscellaneous mix of low-rise office space, manufacturing, and warehousing.
History
On the north end, Main Street is just west of the historic site of Hastings Mill, the area around which Granville, the earlier settlement that later became Vancouver, grew. Main and Hastings mark the former centre of downtown Vancouver with the old central public library (now Carnegie Centre) and the old City Hall. The intersection is now a local catchword for the drug abuse, homelessness, poverty, and prostitution once endemic in Downtown Eastside.
Originally Main Street was Westminster Avenue as it connected at East 7th Avenue to New Westminster Road, now Kingsway. Local merchants arranged to change the name in 1910 to what they thought would bestow a more cosmopolitan character to their neighbourhood. At one time, Main Street had a bascule bridge over False Creek, which then flowed to Clark Drive over a mile farther east. During the First World War, the Great Northern and the Canadian Northern Pacific railroads filled in and reclaimed that land for use, removed the bridge, and reconnected the previously bridged Main Street segments.
A recent Seattle Times article describes Vancouver’s mid-city Main Street as “certifiably hip” though a place “where women of a certain profession once worked the street corners in stilettos” but where now “explosive growth in the city” and relatively “cheap rent in this Mount Pleasant neighborhood in Southeast Vancouver” have brought in many “new boutiques, novelty shops and fancy restaurants.” According to the article, “Main Street was crime-infested 20 years ago, but that just meant cheap rent to starving artists and Asian immigrants who were looking for studio and restaurant space. They led the revitalization.”
The article concludes that “For all the concerns of gentrification, Main Street appears unremarkable with its worn storefront signs with missing letters and storefronts in need of a new coat of paint. They just all seem to blend into this street’s gritty roots and who-cares-what-outsiders-think attitude.”
Attention Builders and Investors! Very Solid and livable House:Great location in the Heart of East Vancouver. One minute Life Circle, Long Term Holding. BUILDING LOT ZONED FOR A RENTAL/ RESIDENTIAL BUILDING.Nearby Schools General Brock Elementary School, Sir William Van Horne Elementary School,John Oliver Secondary School, Eric Hamber Secondary School and more.Close to Queen Elizabeth Park,Langara,Cambie Skytrain station,Oakridge Shpg Ctr and all of Main street.Almost West Side.Potential for Rezoning to Apartment.Great Investment Chance, Motivated seller, Try offers. ACT NOW IF YOU ARE SMART BUYERS!This won't last!More details
Welcome to this beautiful custom built house. Featuring Radiant heat and central A/C, this Fully functional layout with an open concept main floor with living, dining and family room. Upstairs contains 3 large bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms.This house also comes with 2 mortgage helpers with a potential to make a third. 4 bedroom basement suite with 3 bathrooms and a very spacious laneway house with 2 bathrooms. Come see this house before it’s gone!.More details
Vancouver Special completely renovated inside with gorgeous new Kitchen & Bath on Main floor with H/W floors & 3 Bdrms. Self contained 2-2 bdrm suite downstairs. Total 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. 2536 sq ft on 33 x 142 lt. Close to Langara College, Main Street Market, YMCA, golf course & Oakridge Mall. Direct to UBC, Metrotown, Downtown. By appointment only. All meas are approx.More details
JACKPOT! IT'S A WINNER! GORGEOUS 15 yr young home that was renovated to exacting standards! Open concept entertainment rooms with higher ceilings, FABULOUS kitchen, incognito appliances bursting with LIGHT! 3 bedrooms upstairs, 2 baths, MASTER has extra closet over & above the walk-in closet & the ensuite is SPA like with separate shower & bathtub! Downstairs has very FLEXIBLE set up, could be 1 or 2 bdrm suite or theater room or anything you wish! Roughed in kitchenette ready to go! LOCATION is SPECTACULAR! Steps to RILEY PARK, QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK, HILLCRESST Aquatic Center with ICE RINK, LIBRARY, FITNESS, etc.. Wander around MAIN Street shops, restaurants & amenities. A skip, hop and away to everywhere you want to be! This is SPECIAL!More details
Developers'Alert!Note sold in conjunction with 5320 and 5322 Main Street.(Land Assembly)Opportunity on MAIN STREET!! City Considerations for rezoning in this RT-2 Zone, 4, 5 or 6 storey On Arterial Mixed Use. Location directly across from the Little Mountain Holborn Properties Development Site. Minutes from the Iconic Queen Elizabeth Park, Riley Park Area & Hillcrest Community Centre. This Solid Vancouver Special consists of 5 bedrooms, 2 kitchens , enclosed double car garage with enclosed solarium. Below has its own entrance to the 2 bedroom suite.Live in with mortgage helper.Best location on Main St. surrounded by shops, schools, restaurants, transit and parks. Excellent for family and investment.More details
Introducing a fantastic investment property with excellent development potential. This property offers two 2-bedroom suites on the lower level, ideal for generating rental income. The main level provides the prefect opportunity for an owner to reside, featuring numerous upgrades such as new kitchen appliances, modern kitchen cabinets, upgraded plumbing fixtures, hot water on-demand system, and flooring. A huge large walk-in closet has recently been upgraded. However, it can easily be converted back into a bedroom if desired, allowing for greater flexibility to suit your needs. Situated in a highly desirable location near Main Street, offering a wide selection of restaurants, shopping, and coffee shops. Contact to book your private showing now!More details
One of a kind property, perfect for "Multi Generational" families or savvy investors. It took more than six years to build with high quality materials and advanced technologies. As a result, house allows minimal maintenance & provides maximum soundproofing between rooms. Creative layout maximizes the usage of floor area accommodating multiple self contained units. Currently rented for over $9000/month. Higher income is possible. Seller can deliver empty house if requested by buyer. Zoning allows for a lane way house. Convenient location - close to shopping, entertainment, and transit. Only one bus ride to UBC & downtown Vancouver. Inquire today! Great cash flow, convenient location, what are you waiting for!More details
Welcome home to a gardeners paradise with huge south facing backyard and a brand new kitchen (2021) looking out over your children playing. This 7 bedroom, 5 bathroom home on large 49.5 x 122 lot is ready for your family. The main floor features open concept living with fully renovated living room, dining room and kitchen along with two bedrooms and recently renovated bathroom. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a renovated bathroom. The sunny south facing private back yard is a gardener's delight with it's mature trees, shrubs, & patio/BBQ area. Many updates including plumbing and wiring leaves nothing for you to do but move in. Basement has mortgage helpers to help pay for it all. Possibility to build a laneway home in the future. Call for your private showing today!More details
Exceptional WEST OF MAIN modern, architecturally designed 1/2 DUPLEX with VIEW ROOF TOP DECK! Main living offers light & bright open plan with over height ceilings, separate den/office & powder bath. Seamless kitchen features oversized window backsplash, 2 tone wood grain/white lacquer cabinets,equipped with high end appliances: Bertazzoni gas range, Bosch dishwasher, Fisher Paykel fridge plus built in microwave. Upper level provides 3 beds, 2 bath & laundry with access to LARGE 286 SQFT roof deck w/gas&water showcasing views of the city & mountains! Above ground lower-level offers bedroom & bath, currently set up as family room, roughed-in for bar. Attached garage EV Ready & outside storage. Great location steps to Mt. Pleasant Park & vibrant restaurants/shops of Main St.More details
COME VIEW THIS HIGHLY DESIRABLE UPDATED CORNER LOT HOME 1 BLOCK FROM MAIN STREET. This Home has had many updates over the years, including a newer OPEN PLAN gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, HIGH ceilings and access to a newer sun deck facing the backyard. Upstairs features 2 bedrooms and a loft, The Primary with newer ensuite and private balcony, Downstairs is perfect for an in-law/nanny suite with separate entrances. The Back yard is fenced and features a fabulous entertaining area with a newer deck, a sports court, outdoor gas fireplace, which is minutes from Restaurants, bars, Shops, Transit, Walk to David Livingstone & Sir Charles Tupper Schools, also two blocks from Prince Edward Park. Very Quiet neighbourhood in the middle of the City!More details