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.
Welcome to Mirabel by Marcon, a quality construction matched with Henriquez Partners architecture and designed by award winning interior designer Alda Pereira. This brand new 2 bed, 2 bath CORNER unit is a stunning example of West Coast Modernism. Boasting minimalist elegance throughout! Many high-end finishing’s throughout including hardwood floors, AC, Stainless steel appliances including a Sub Zero refrigerator and Wolf gas cooktop. Bright, sun-filled living area with floor to ceiling windows & seamless indoor-outdoor living from the large 200 sq ft balcony. High-efficiency heating and air conditioning system for year-round comfort. FANTASTIC West End location! Walk to shopping, parks & the seawall. 1 parking & 1 locker included!More details
An amazing opportunity in one of Vancouver's most sought after buildings. Steps from Denman, Coal Harbor, Stanley Park, every convenience at your door! Exclusive building! Only 38 residences, Penthouse #1 is accessed from the terrace level, with your own front door. The end suite, this home is filled with abundant, gentle light with 360* exposure. 2 level home offers a gracious entry, powder room on the main floor, well equiped kitchen with open living/dining area. 2 generous bedrooms, 2 full baths up. The master overlooks the living room below, 18' glass windows provide expansive views to the North Shore Mts., Coal Harbor & exquisite green space. Pacific Robson Palais is known for its quality construction, exquisite landscaped terraces and outdoor space. Small strata, very well run, superbly maintained. Amenities include lap pool, gym. 2 sec. parking. Pets/rentals (6 mos. min)Yes! Don't wait! View by appointment anytine. Call now, you won't be disappointed. OPEN Sat June 25 from 1:00 - 2:30More details
Very large and very bright SW corner unit in desirable Alberni Place, just off Robson near Coal Harbour. Featuring a beautiful living room and dining room with the space you need for house size furniture, two spacious bedrooms plus a large solarium / den (guest room?), two full bathrooms including a lovely ensuite. The country kitchen is open to the dining room and comes with loads of cupboard and counter space, plus there is a bonus second sink in the adjacent laundry room / pantry. Lovely, well-run building with a gorgeous lobby, 24 hour concierge service, live-in caretaker and a convenient covered front entrance with a circular driveway.More details
True metropolitan townhouse in a super quiet West End location close to all amenities. Beautifully executed details from the foyer to the rooftop terrace. Courtyard private front entrance and built-in closet in the foyer. No wasted space as linear staircase leads to the gorgeous open plan second level. Chef’s kitchen features Wolf Gas Range, SubZero fridge, Miele dishwasher and beautiful granite countertops offer lots of prep space. Oversize composite sink features gorgeous all in one faucet. Living room offers a Cozy gas fireplace and cute breakfast balcony. Third floor offers cross hall bedrooms, main bedroom w/ ensuite. LG ThinQ laundry set. Crowning glory of this unique city home is a spacious roof top terrace providing year round extension of your living space. Truly rare offering!More details
Welcome to your waterfront dream home at Ocean Towers which is just waiting for your decorating ideas. Enjoy 19th floor unobstructed breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and English Bay from this 1181 sqft 2 bedroom 2 bathroom in Vancouver’s beautiful West End; just steps to restaurants, shopping, seawall, beaches and transit. Only 4 suites per floor and the monthly maintenance fee includes heat, hot water and PROPERTY TAX. Building is a Coop and is a 19+, no rentals or pets allowed, comes with one parking and storage locker, additional parking available for $35 a month. No Foreign Buyers Tax or Property Purchase Tax. Call us today to book your private showing or virtual walk through.More details