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.
Westbank proudly introduces the most legendary project in North America, collaborated with the world famous Japanese architectural master Kengo Kuma! Alberni by Kengo Kuma, the milestone in the combination btw the west and east culture. Our unit offers one of the most practical layout, with 3 beds/2bath, spacious living room, open concept kitchen, huge outdoor space, the a unique Japanese Garden. Being at a Southeast corner unit, with floor to ceiling windows, the 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 pool overlooking beautiful views of Vancouver downtown. 1 parking, 1 storage, and private wine locker.More details
Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, One of the most prestigious residential buildings in Vancouver, the tower includes intricate design details in woodwork throughout and is carved by two emphatic scoops that form deep balconies furnished in wood. This elegant 3 bedroom/3 bathroom corner unit offers a spacious living room, open concept kitchen, huge outdoor space & unique Japanese Garden. Alberni by Kengo Kuma will include intricate design details in woodwork throughout and within the interior design of the residential tower. The project's amenities include a Kengo Kuma-designed Fazioli piano, an expansive moss garden and swimming pool as well as a Japanese two Michelin-starred restaurant. Rarefied purchase!More details
Listed by TRG The Residential Group Downtown Realty
Welcome to the awe-inspiring PH #1 in the East Tower of Mirabel. Situated at the hillcrest overlooking English Bay, Mirabel was designed to highlight the dramatic views afforded to this sought-after downtown location. We are thrilled to present this contemporary 3 bed/3.5 bath Penthouse home - 2 levels of interior living w/ a stunning private rooftop terrace accessed from an architectural glass stairwell. Your rooftop oasis features an integrated outdoor kitchen, perfect for entertaining. Arrive in style w/ your luxurious in-home personal elevator. Contemporary light-filled interiors designed by Alda Pereira Design Inc. w/ top of the line Wolf+Sub-Zero appliances. High-efficiency heating and air conditioning system for year-round comfort. Includes private garage and large storage room.More details
Listed by Rennie & Associates Realty Ltd.
and Rennie Marketing Systems
*ASSIGNMENT of CONTRACT*- Coal Harbour view 2bed2bath + den corner unit at "Alberni" by Westbank, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. One of the most prestigious residential buildings in Vancouver, the tower includes intricate design details in woodwork throughout and is carved by two emphatic scoops that form deep balconies furnished in wood. Stunning views to Stanley Park & mountains. Superior amenities include a Kengo Kuma-designed Fazioli piano, an expansive Moss Garden, Indoor Pool, Hotub, Steam/Sauna Room, 2 level Fittness Centre, Listening Room + Library, Art Gallery, 24 hours concierge service, as well as Waketokuyama (2 Michelin-Starred Japanese Restaurant). Includes: 1 locker, 1 bicycle locker, 2 private garage parking stalls, & 1 white wine storage locker.More details
INVESTOR ALERT! BUY&HOLD OR REDEVELOP. Rare find, central downtown coal harbour multi-family unit on a quiet street. Hold or Build. Family owned for 20 years. Right next to Robson. Easy access to everything like shops and restaurants. 7 self contained rental units. 1 two bedroom, 1 one bedroom, 5 bachelors. Lots of parking. Gross rent of $7000/mo Lot size approximately 4290 square feet. Interior floor space approximately 4000 square feet. Buyer to do their own due diligence on development and re-zoning potential. No sign per seller instruction. Do not walk on property without permission. Do not disturb tenants. Showings for qualified buyers only, please contact your Realtor.More details