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.
The Presidio, a very unique building designed by World famous Architect Richard Henriquez. The suite occupies the entire 14th floor with spectacular water, mountain, tree view from almost every window. Quiet and serene location with only 28 residences in the complex, very exclusive. Main floor with Elegant foyer and party room complete with Piano and Bar kitchen. Beautiful back garden. Live-in caretaker. Fully air-conditioned 3 BR unit, all BR has enste bath. Master bed room has a large walk-in closet and a TV sitting room. Office is used as MJ/card room. Very well kept suite and in mint condition. Suite is the summer home for the present owner, Many visitor Parking stalls, Bike room and storage. Great price for a fussy buyer.More details
Welcome to Alberni, the newest landmark building designed by world renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. This well laid out 2 bedroom 2 bath on the 35th floor features large floor to ceiling windows, one of a kind Kengo Kuma open concept kitchen with Miele appliances, fantastic view of coal harbour and the mountains, a Japanese garden on the balcony. Alberni 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 Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant. Project under construction.More details
Vancouver’s flagship WATERFRONT residence, the Sylvia Tower located right on Beach Avenue. Next to the historic Sylvia Hotel & steps from Stanley Park. With 1 suite per floor & private elevator access. Beautiful and functional, timeless layout design by Robert Ledingham, floor to ceiling windows, this grand residence offers jaw dropping UNOBSTRUCTED PANORAMIC OCEAN, MOUNTAINS, CITY VIEWS. You have the front row seat for fireworks, magnificent SUNSET. Spacious open kitchen & living room, perfect for entertaining. Book your own private showing today!More details
BIG PRICE REDUCTION IN THE NEW YEAR! This is a sale of Assignment of Contract. The Alberni by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, developed by Westbank Corp. Very unique use of interwoven layers of overlapping textures, all units designed with open concept, integrated Miele appliances, special kitchen island; this 2 bed 2 bath spacious corner unit (NE) comes with 2 balconies capturing ocean and city views, plus a family room and in-suite storage. Options included: 1 Parking stall ($75,000), 1 Storage Locker ($28,900), a Bike Storage Locker ($999) and a White Wine Storage Locker ($5000). Other features - Japanese gardens, club house, music room plus onsite a Michelin starred Japanese restaurant. Steps to Robson St., shops, seawall, Stanley Park and central downtown core.More details
This ultra-modern West End Penthouse offers breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean, mountains, and city. The residence boasts large windows, two balconies, and a ~600 sf. private roof-top patio complete with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace. The bright and open kitchen, featuring Gaggenau appliances, opens up onto a large south facing balcony, perfect for entertaining. The large primary bedroom boasts a spacious walk-in closet and a luxurious five piece ensuite, as well as a private balcony that provides the perfect place to relax and take in the views. Includes a private, EV-ready garage for two cars. Located in the heart of Vancouver's West End, you'll be surrounded by boutique shops, trendy restaurants and cafes, and just a short stroll from Sunset beach and the beautiful seawall.More details