West End
General Location:
The 204 hectares of Vancouver’s West End is bounded by Burrard Street on the south-east, Georgia Street on the north-east and Denman Street on the north-west, blurring into Stanley Park along that border. English Bay forms the long western and south western extent of this old Vancouver district. The city core, directly on the western side of Burrard Street, shares the peninsula, with Coal Harbor and Stanley Park.
Major Transportation arteries:
Pacific Boulevard and Beach Avenue run both ways along the English Bay shoreline. A little further north east, Davie Street traverses the length of the West End from Burrard St. through to Denman St, as does Robson St. further north east. Georgia St., running the same direction leads through Stanley Park over the Lion’s Gate Bridge to West and North Vancouver, or into the downtown core coming the other way. Traveling south, Burrard St. leads onto the Bridge of the same name and into Kitsilano. Buses run along all these major transportation arteries. The Sky train station serving the West End is located at Burrard and Dunsmuir
Main Attractions:
The spectacular sunny beach front along English Bay, popular year round, and the thousands of acres of nearby Stanley Park are without doubt the West End’s main contribution to Supernatural British Columbia. Both small restaurants and commercial enterprises and large brand name stores line Davie Street, Denman Street and Robson Street, which all lead to either the beach or the park, or both. The resident population and tourists frequent the area, enjoying the sunny green streets and shady avenues. During the summer, English Bay hosts the Fireworks display, the Gay Parade takes to the streets, and the Vancouver Sun Run takes over the roads. In the winter months the Santa parade winds its way through the city. Stanley Park is Vancouver’s treasure of green and nature, although many other patches of verdant land provide tranquility and relaxation for passersby. Following is a list of several West End community green spaces:
Alexandra Park – 1755 Beach Avenue at Bidwell Street
Barclay Heritage Square – 1433 Barclay Street at Nicola St.
Cardero Park - 1601 Bayshore Drive at Cardero Street
English Bay Beach Park – 1700 Beach Avenue at Bidwell Street
Morton Park – 1800 Morton Avenue at Denman Street
Nelson Park – 1030 Bute Street at Nelson St. Off-lease 6am-8am and 5pm-10pm
Stanley Park – 2000 West Georgia Street at Chilco St. The Shuffleboard Court outlined area is off-leash 7am-9pm.
Sunset Beach Park – 1204 Beach Avenue at Bute St.
Amenities:
This densely populated district has all of the amenities of urban living within walking distance. The West End Community Center at 870 Denman provides a full range of recreational and educational services supplemented by the heritage Barclay Manor at 1447 Barclay Street. The Vancouver Aquatic Center is popular all year round and is located at 1050 Beach Avenue. St.Paul’s hospital and associated health care facilities are situated along Burrard Street. The Fire hall No.6 is located at 1001 Nicola Street. Shopping is only a short distance away from any location in the West End and anything one may need for daily living is readily available.
People and Homes:
The grand early days of development in the West End are still to be seen in the heritage buildings such as at Barclay Manor Square, Roedde House and Gabriola, sprinkled here and there. Since those days, the construction of multi-storey high-rise dwellings transformed the landscape along English Bay and up onto the peninsula. Kensington Place (1912), Baycrest / Seacrest (1940) and Ocean Towers (1950) are early examples of the area’s continual renewal designed to accommodate the many people wishing to make their home in Vancouver’s West End. Apartment complexes account for 99% of all dwellings. Population estimates suggest well over 45 thousand people live in this neighborhood. Approximately half of them are between the ages of 20 – 39 years, and ca. 34% between 40 and 64 years of age. Seniors comprise ca. 12% of the population, while 7% (or ca. 4000 persons) are under 19 yrs. The median household annual income is ca. $40000. Upward of 60% of households are single person dwellings, with the average household being 1-2 people. Over 60% of West Enders work in the city. Many walk to work or use public transit. This area well deserves its popularity as a beautiful urban place to call home.
