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 luxury residence Mirabel by award winning local developer Marconi Open concept living with bright interior finishes and premium kitchen showcasing a Wolf Gas cooktop, Armony Cucine cabinetry, and integrated Sub-Zero fridge. Sleek en-suite featuring wall to wall Italian marble and black Brizo bathroom fixtures with automated lighting when you enter. All year-round comfort with high efficiency heat pump system for heat and air conditioning. Technogym on fifth floor skybridge area along with garden area. Located West end and only few minutes walk away from restaurants, shopping, seawall, and parks. Comes with 1 parking and 1 locker.More details
LOCATION! LOCATION! Enjoy with vibrant city life with the convenience of all Boutiques shops, restaurants, Coal Harbour, English Bay and Stanley parks. All this are just foot steps away from your door step. Very spacious & bright 2 bedroom 933 SQFT unit with open concept kitchen with quartz countertop-breakfast bar. Great potential and very good tenant.More details
Listed by Nu Stream Realty Inc. and Oakwyn Realty Ltd.
Charming 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo nestled in the highly desirable West End of Vancouver. This well-maintained unit boasts modern living with a touch of elegance. With its prime location, you'll enjoy the convenience of a walkable neighborhood, just moments away from the breathtaking English Bay. The spacious interior features 1 large bedroom, perfect for restful nights. The two bathrooms offer added convenience and privacy. The kitchen is open to the living area which is full of natural light. The unit comes with in suite laundry, parking and storage. Don't miss your chance to join one of Vancouver's best neighbourhoods.More details
Experience luxury urban living in the prestigious West Georgia Residence (winner of the Governor General Award), with this stunning TWO bedroom, TWO bathroom + DEN home. Revel in breathtaking cityscapes and gorgeous garden views from your windows of this corner suite. The interior boasts tasteful finishes, including laminate and hard tile flooring, complemented by stainless steel appliances. Enjoy amenities such as 24-hour concierge service, fitness centre, meeting room, and bike storage. Steps away from hundreds of restaurants, Stanley Park, and the Seawall. Comes with Parking and Storage locker. A Dog or Cat is welcome. Great investment. (Some photos are digitally staged) OPEN SAT & SUN 2-4pmMore details
Welcome to The Lions Building! This charming property offers a spacious 745 sqft layout boasting two beds & two baths located in the heart of downtown. Step into a bright & open atmosphere flooded with natural light, thanks to the large windows. The open concept layout creates a seamless flow between the kitchen, dining & living areas. Ample in-suite storage, along with a solarium that doubles as a home office space. Enjoy all the excellent building amenities, including a spacious exercise center & recreation room complete with pool tables as well as 1 parking stall and 1 storage locker. To top it off, enjoy the short proximity to Stanley Park, the Seawall & the shopping district on Robson Street, all within a leisurely 10-minute stroll from your doorstep.More details