The West End neighbourhood of the Canadian City of Vancouver in British Columbia is the area from Burrard Street west to Stanley Park at the extremity of the downtown peninsula and from West Georgia Street south to False Creek and English Bay. Adjacent neighbourhoods are Downtown east of Burrard Street and Coal Harbor north of Georgia.
History
The first area land purchasers planned in 1862 to mine for porcelain clays and establish a brickworks, but the local clay was unsuitable for that purpose. With the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, however, the West End soon became Vancouver’s first wealthy neighbourhood of rich railroad families along Georgia Street. As the city grew, the West End became a transitory place for new arrivals from elsewhere in Canada, the United Kingdom, and later other countries, establishing a neighbourhood history and tradition of diversity.
The rich moved on to Shaughnessy and other neighbourhoods early in the 20th century as new development brought in a more middle-class, transient population. Mansions converted to rooming houses, low-rise apartments appeared, and shops sprang up along the streetcar lines on Davie, Denman, and Robson streets. Following the Second World War, a significant German business community took root along Robson Street, “Robsonstrasse” in marketing parlance. The West End’s skyline soared in the ‘60s and early ’70s, when developers built 220 high-rise apartments in 13 years.
In 2001 the densely populated West End had 42,120 residents, 12 percent of whom were single-parent families compared to 17 percent for the entire city. The census population was 44,543 in 2011, a small decline from 44,556 in 2006. From 1971 to 2011, West End population increased by 19 percent as city overall population increased by 42 percent. At 48 percent, the 20–39 age group is the largest at a proportion much higher than that for the city overall, 34 percent. The neighbourhood has two elementary schools and a high school.
Amenities and Attractions
Parks and beaches are abundant around and throughout the West End. English Bay Beach is thronged during the annual summer Celebration of Light fireworks display. Stanley Park with 1,000 mostly forested acres is one of North America’s largest urban parks. Entirely encircled by the Seawall, a paved path that begins Downtown and follows the coast around Stanley Park through the West End and around False Creek to Granville Island for rollerblading, cycling, jogging, or pleasant walking, the park also has many miles of inland trails crisscrossing in every direction. The Vancouver Aquarium and a miniature railway attract many of Stanley Park’s 8 million annual visitors. At the northern end of the Park, Prospect Point provides spectacular vistas of the Lions Gate Bridge to the North Shore of the Burrard Inlet.
Another West End Real Estate Boom?
According to the Colliers Spring 2014 LandShare Report on rezoning and development applications in Metro Vancouver, a new community plan has raised development potential in the West End neighbourhood, which may be on the verge of a dramatic expansion of real estate density. The report points to recent purchases of two properties as the first of many probable high-value West End transactions since the community plan relaxed density restrictions in the Georgia Street corridor to permit maximum heights of 500 feet.
Luxurious Patina PH 01! Unobstructed views of English Bay, North Shore Mnts, Stanley Park & Mt. Baker. Enjoy over 5,200 sf Indoor/Outdoor Living: 3 bed plus study/5 bath. This Residence features high-end finishings & over $750k in upgrades including upgraded kitchen with high-end Miele & Sub Zero appliances, ice maker, hardwood, AC, La Scala speakers, remote blinds, solid core doors, 1,700 bottle wine cellar & scotch tasting room. The master suite: built-in hidden projector & screen, luxurious spa bath w/ heated towel bar, soaker tub & multi-head shower. Enjoy summer nights on the 2,091 sf rooftop deck with panoramic water views, outdoor 2 BBQ kitchen, fireplace, storage, mood lighting & irrigation. The secondary kitchen includes fridge, stove & dishwasher right off the rooftop - perfect for summer. You will enjoy full time concierge, gym, social room,& outdoor patio. Includes 4 parking stall /EV & in suite storage. Amazing Restaurants & Designer Shopping on Alberni Street nearby. THIS IS TRULY AN URBAN OASIS!More details
North/West/East facing Cosmopolitan World Class Luxurious Penthouse with 180 degree spectacular Ocean, Mountain & City Views. 2658 sqft sky home with 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, home office & family room infused with classic elegance & a contemporary style that is timeless. Professional grade kitchen with S/S Liebherr & Miele appliances, SubZero, 5 burner gas cook-top, wine cooler, granite countertops and backsplash. Breakfast bar, espresso machine, Italian Snaidero wood panelled and gloss lacquered cabinetry. Floor to ceiling windows with over height ceilings, Air Con, Heat Pump, Motorized Creston Blinds & smart system, hardwood flooring, entertainment sized rooms & a fantastic floor plan. The Master ensuite bathroom comes replete with Marble clad floors, walls, rain forest shower & double sink, and views from your soaker tub. Concierge, gym, fitness studio in-suite laundry, storage, visitor parking, car wash bay & 3 parking. Patina Penthouse Collection is built by Concert Properties.More details
Listed by Sotheby's International Realty Canada
and Nu Stream Realty Inc.
An exceptional opportunity exists for a sophisticated buyer to purchase a truly one of a kind Private Estate, located in Vancouver’s prestigious five-star Shangri-La Hotel. Custom designed prior to construction by internationally renowned architectural and design firm Katherine Newman Design, this fabulous 3 bdrm, 3 1/2 bthrm suite offers 2,747 sq ft of ultra luxurious living space. Exceptional finishings throughout are complimented by exquisite designer lighting, window and wall coverings, rich wide plank walnut flooring, masterful paint schedule and lighting plan, custom hardware and so much more. Crafted with careful attention to detail this elegant home is certain to appeal to the most discerning buyer and form the crowning jewel of any luxury real estate portfolio.More details
Project Under construction. Alberni by Kengo Kuma - The new Vancouver downtown icon! Developed by Westbank, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, tudios, floor-to-ceiling glass fully overlooking the infamous moss garden. This higher level unit has precious layout with 3 bedroom 3 bathroom, spacious living room, open concept kitchen, huge outdoor space, the a unique Japanese Garden. Being at a Southeast corner unit, will have abundance of light throughout the day. The building has the most luxurious amenities, top wine tasting room, music room, gym and indoor swimming pwine tasting room, soundproof listening/music room (on the same floor), gym, indoor swimming pool, art gallery and so much more. Come to spoil yourself, enjoy a luxury life here!More details
SIMPLY A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THE MOST PERFECT VANCOUVER HOME. NEVER BEFORE OFFERED FOR SALE: HUNTINGTON WEST PENTHOUSE ON BEACH AVENUE AT ENGLISH BAY INCLUDES AN 1100 SQUARE FOOT PATIO OVERLOOKING ENGLISH BAY, STANLEY PARK, THE NORTH SHORE MOUNTAINS, AND THE CITY OF VANCOUVER. FOREVER OCEAN VIEWS. FIVE ADDITIONAL BALCONIES FACING NORTH, WEST, SOUTH, AND EAST. ONE BLOCK TO THE ENTRANCE TO STANLEY PARK. BUILDING AMENITIES INCLUDE A SWIRLPOOL, EXERCISE FACILITIES, STEAM AND SAUNA, AND MORE. FOUR PARKING STALLS AND STORAGE ARE ALSO PART OF THIS HOME. BOOK YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING TODAY!!More details