Established in 1907, the South Granville Business Improvement Area is south of Vancouver’s Downtown and north of the Kitsilano, Fairview, and Shaughnessy neighbourhoods. The area runs along Granville Street from the Granville Street Bridge over False Creek south to 16th Avenue, where the grand residences of Shaughnessy replace the shops, restaurants, and art galleries of South Granville.
When Vancouver as a city was three years old, South Granville already was an exclusive location and desirable destination before the first Granville Street Bridge went up across False Creek in 1889 to connect it to Downtown. Center Street became Granville Street in 1907. In the fall of that year, plans began for development of what would be First Shaughnessy, 423 acres between West 15th and King Edward avenues from Oak Street west to the BC Electric Railway interurban line to Lulu Island. New First Shaughnessy residents shopped on South Granville, establishing standards of high quality still extant today. Galleries and the Stanley Theatre followed, and the area acquired its cultural caché.
The Stanley Theater
The Stanley opened on the street between 11th and 12th avenues in December 1930 with a Lilian Gish movie, One Romantic Night. The Stanley was the only Vancouver theatre where juveniles could see not one but two Saturday matinees for ten cents. Granville Street and the Stanley went into decline during the ’80s, and it closed in 1991. After some talk of tearing it down, it rose again in 1997 as a fully refurbished venue for live performances. Whether for films or plays, the Stanley has been a major neighbourhood attraction, proof that the lively arts contribute much to neighbourhood prosperity and prestige.
The Granville Street Bridge
The present steel and concrete Granville Street Bridge, nearly a mile long and 90 feet high over Granville Island and False Creek, was the only eight-lane bridge on the continent outside New York City when it opened in 1954. The bridge supplanted an earlier structure that in 1909 had replaced the 1886 original.
Before construction began in 1951, politicians had tried to build a new bridge since 1945. A 1948 newspaper editorial complained that of “Vancouver’s obsolete bridges” “the Granville Bridge, because of its slippery surface, its pitted and rotted roadways, its wooden construction, its wooden approaches and the dangerous curve-in at its lift-spans mended with smooth-worn planks, is by far the worst.”
In Vancouver, few would dispute that the highest concentration of art, antiques, painting, sculpture, and unique curiosities are in South Granville’s Gallery Row, the nerve centre of Vancouver’s art community for 40 years. Fourteen galleries cluster along this stretch of Granville Street between 5th Avenue and Broadway.
To list a few, Bau-Xi, the oldest contemporary gallery in Vancouver, exhibits paintings, sculpture, prints, and drawings. Heffel, “Canada’s National Fine Art Auction House” in the historic Heffel Building at 7th Avenue, displays and previews inventory in an expansive 7,500-foot space. Uno Langmann Limited specializes in European and North American paintings from the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. The gallery showcases a careful selection of antique furniture, silver, and objets d’art in elegant, neo-classical surroundings. Douglas Reynolds Gallery, founded in 1995 between 7th and 8th avenues, specializes in historic and contemporary Northwest Coast aboriginal art. The gallery exhibits museum-quality artifacts of aluminum, bronze, glass, and resin in bentwood boxes, masks, and totem poles.
A true masterpiece! Custom home built by experienced Villa Development Ltd. Situated on 11,400 SF lot with gated front yard and beautifully landscaped garden with built-in BBQ equipment. Prestigious Granville Area with multi-million homes surrounding, great street appearance. Close to tourists attractions, schools, public transit. This luxurious custom home features 4700 sf of living spaces with 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms. Best quality materials and dedicated workmanship! It offers everything you need for a luxurious and comfortable living: elegant crystal lighting, large kitchen with high-end appliances includes a good sized Wok-Kitchen, beautiful garden with big patio, 3-car garage, equipped with Air-conditioning, HRV, home security system. A pleasure to show! Open House June 10th 2-4pm.More details
STUNNING! A masterpiece situated on almost 9504 sqft S/N facing lot in prime Granville area! This luxury home offers 5 Bdrms (double master)+6 Baths+ Den+ Fully finished Mediarm + 4 Fireplaces. Amazing quality and finishing details throughout the whole house, all chandelier lights, European windows, high-end Miele appliances, Grohe washroom fixtures, real solid Walnut flooring and cabinet, granite countertops, Onyx feature wall and a lot of ...Beautiful landscaped featuring water fountains & palm trees. Outdoor decks is with fully build-in BBQ stove& fireplace ...House is fully equipped with A/C, HRV & Central Vac and Smart System. Proud to show! MUST SEE!More details
Precious & stunning property sits in Prime Granville area. 'Millions Dollar Mansions' neighbourhood. It offers BIG lot of 11,500 (67x172) sqft and nearly 5,000 sqft flooring area. Five gorgeous sized bedrooms upstairs with ensuites. High ceiling living& dining area on the main floor. Gourmet kitchen + wok kitchen+pantry. Maple cabinetry, deluxe custom draperies, radiant flr heat, security monitor, AC & HRV, central vacuum & lawn sprinkler systems, extensive use of granite & mouldings, high end appliances like Sub-Zero fridge & more! Large covered patio. SOUTH Facing. Book your private showings now.More details
A true masterpiece!This Gorgeous custom home located on a 9600 SF lot with private front/back yard and beautifully landscaped garden, prestigious Granville Area with multi-million homes surrounding. Open concept layout coming with elegant double circular staircase, high ceiling in living room and dining room. Featuring with 4128 sf of living spaces, 5 bedrooms and 5-1/2 baths, including a legal unit on main. Best quality materials and dedicated workmanship! It offers everything you need for a luxurious and comfortable living: elegant crystal chandeliers, gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances including a good sized Wok-Kitchen, beautiful patio, etc. Pleasure to show!More details
A spectacular deluxe custom home nestled in the heart of Granville area. This south facing house features super spacious layout with high ceilings, 5 BDRMs, 6 BATHs including 2 MASTER/Ensuites. Huge Gourmet kitchen & Wok kitchen with top of the line appliances. Garden come with heated swimming pool for year round usage, media room with wet bar, Marble countertop, Marble foyer and H/W flooring, Master bedroom with Sauna, steam bath. Designer Chandeliers, Drop ceilings with tons of crown molding, A/C, HRV, Still look like brandnew! Super quiet cul-de-sac setting. This is your truly sanctuary in the city.More details
CUSTOM BUILT DELUXE MANSION IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HOME "GRANVILLE" AREA at Prime Central Richmond!! This Grand and Spacious one owner home features over 6,00 sq. ft. living area at 67' x 170' (11,390 sq. ft.) large lot, 6 bedrooms (all ensuited) plus large recreation room good for home theater, gym room, gourmet Kitchen with granite countertops, wok kitchen, 18' high ceiling at grand foyer, living and family rooms, 9' ceiling on main floor, large primary bedroom, large South exposure Japanese garden with water fall fountain, electric gate and rare find large 4 car garage!!! Very Good Condition with good maintenance and updates!!! Walking distance to new Minoru Park, Richmond Centre, library, both elementary and high schools and much more....!!!More details
Well designed luxury 3856sf house built by experience builder, sitting on a over 8000 SF lot where centrally located on a quiet street in Granville neighborhood. This home features high ceiling dining and living area, wok kitchen, 4 spacious En-suite upstairs and 1 En-suite on the main floor. Open kitchen with a Large sized wok kitchen. High end stainless steel appliances, top of the line cabinetry, central air conditioning, radiant heating, security system & so much more to offer Excellent location, close to Richmond Centre, Public Library and Minoru Park, walk to Brighouse Elementary and Richmond High Secondary.More details
Rarely available well-kept 6-bedroom (all 5 ensuited upstairs), 6-bath + den. Main floor spacious living area & impressive open 400+ sq.ft. foyer (18’+ ceiling) are ideal for entertainment! Efficient separate wok cooking area in gourmet kitchen. Hot water radiant heat & light weight concrete upper floor. Tiled roof. Triple garage. 350 sq.ft. sunny south-facing covered deck. 67’ x 170’ (11,390 sq.ft.) Lot with south backyard on a cherry-tree-lined quiet inside street. Walk to Minoru Park in 10 minutes. Well kept by present owner since February 2005. A pleasure to show.More details
Distinctive custom built luxury house in the most desirable Granville neighborhoods. This gorgeous home offers over 4,000 SF luxury building with excellent craftsmanship on 8,388 SF lot. The spacious living room with incredible high ceiling, bright flooring,massive wood walking and Crystal Chandeliers makes you feel like living in an elegant palace. Custom designed house, top of the line Kitchen Appliances, High Class Cabinetry. 4 bedrooms upstairs and 1 bedroom on main floor, 2 kitchens and 2 set of appliances can meet all the requirements of cooking. A legal suit provides a rental opportunity. Spacious outdoor patios and matured garden. Steps to shopping mall, supermarket, banks,hospital,public transit and Downtown Richmond. A true unique masterpiece. Open house: Sat, 6/10, 1-3pm.More details
Gorgiously crafted luxury residences over 3200 sqft in size located in one of the most sought for locations Granville neighbourhood. High ceiling at grand foyer and family room with maximum natural lights. Very well cared for home with functional design. Huge chef's kitchen lower floor with spacious wok kitchen. Upper includes four ensuites for ultimate enjoyment and privacy. Home is centrally located within walking distance to various amenities including the Minoru Activity Centre, parks, shops and much more! School catchment Richmond High & Brighouse Elementary. Open House: May 21: 2-4pmMore details