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.
TOP FLOOR - Westend penthouse overlooking Nelson Park. 2 bedrooms 2 baths with high ceilings and skylights that bring in abundance of natural light. Gas fireplace, fully renovated kitchen with new cabinets, counter tops and appliances. Super Westend location. Pets allowed with restrictions. Rainscreened, re-plumbed, and with a new roof, The Somerset is meticulously maintained. Across from Nelson Park, near Lord Roberts Annex, the dog park, and the West End farmer's market. Your oasis awaits! BONUS in-suite laundry and 2 parking spots. Open House Sunday, Dec 3rd 3-4:30pm.More details
HUNTINGTON NEST. English Bay waterfront condo West of Denman & next to the Sylvia Hotel. Just 1 block to Stanley Park. Gorgeous year-round English Bay views plus 360 degree views from the rooftop deck. Enjoy fresh ocean breezes & sunsets from this sunny SW corner 708 sq.ft. large, 1 bedroom concrete strata unit. This is the only suite on this level & boasts a private, wheelchair accessible reground entry. Watch the sailboats, cyclists & passersby from your balcony. Upgraded unit in the heart of the City with travertine marble entry, Cognac birch kitchen cabinets & S/S appliances, granite counters; H/W floors & bathroom upgrades too! Primary bedroom is on the quieter side of the building overlooking the garden. Fitness centre & swirl pool.More details
Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to own a quality home inside & out With Marcon quality construction, this south facing, spacious one bedroom with fantastic floorplan comes with A/C and high efficiency heating for year-round comfort. From kitchen to bathroom are equipped by top quality such as Wolf/Sub-Zero SS appliances. Location cannot be any better! You are minutes away from English Bay and Safeway, restaurants, and coffee shop.More details
Explore a stunning 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath condo in Vancouver's West End. This beautiful home features large principal rooms ready for house-sized furniture, cozy fireplace, hardwood floors, marble entry, insuite laundry and spacious covered 132 sq.ft balcony perfect for BBQs and enjoying the tree lined view. Intimate 18 unit building comes with secured underground parking spot and large storage locker. Well maintained strata, rain-screened, updated carpets and painting. Pets welcome! The best of Vancouver living, with proximity to Stanley Park, Lost Lagoon, and premier shopping on Robson and Alberni. You're also just steps away from Coal Harbour, Davie Village, Downtown, and Yaletown. Embrace the Vancouver lifestyle, surrounded by nature and urban amenities. OH Nov 18 and 19 1:00-3:00PMMore details
The Milano! Breathtaking city view are offered in this stunning 1 bedroom plus den contemporary home designed by award winning designer Paul Merrick and built by Cressey Developments! Totally redecorated, this superb corner unit features floor to ceiling windows, contemporary kitchen with elegant countertops, glass bar counter, maple cabinets, gas range & f/p, dining room/den with balcony, office, in-suite laundry, carpet and tile floors, large foyer and more! U/g parking, storage locker, bike storage & exercise room. Located in the heart of the west end & within walking distance to all major amenities and attractions. Perfect for the homeowner or investor! Pet and rental friendly. Presently rented for $2,600/mo fixed term tenancy ending Aug 31/23. Most furnishing included. Act fast!More details