Gastown

Gastown History

Gastown, as the first settlement in the area, is the oldest neighbourhood in Vancouver. It was founded in the late-1800s by “Gassy” Jack Deighton, and later became part of the City of Vancouver in 1886. Its famous landmark, a steam-powered clock, was built in 1977, and is a popular tourist attraction for it is one of only a few in the world. 

Now Gastown is recognized as a historical site, and lengths have been taken to preserve the historic buildings in the district, designed in largely Edwardian Commercial and Victorian Italianate architectural styles. The revitalization of Gastown first began in 2001 with the implementation of The Gastown Heritage Management Plan. 

Gastown Real Estate

Real estate in Gastown is incredibly sought-after. This is because of its great location: simultaneously right by the water and just steps away from the downtown core. Plus, of course, the homes for sale in Gastown usually incorporate some of the area’s notable historical features, whether that be a newer building with exposed concrete walls or a renovated warehouse with brick and exposed beams. 

Gastown apartments are usually designed in an ultra-contemporary loft style, making use of the open concept space and incorporating metal, glass, and red brick into the design. These apartments sometimes even have highly-desirable water views, looking right over Vancouver Harbour and the mountains beyond. 

In terms of amenities, buildings in this area tend to utilize outdoor space, and often have rooftop patios and resident gardens. Other amenities can include in-unit fireplaces, parking, bike rooms, in-unit laundry, storage, and more. The buildings, if old, are renovated and given a number of contemporary upgrades, and the newer developments come with luxurious floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood flooring, glass showers, and marble countertops.

Gastown Highlights and Attractions

There’s a reason why Gastown is a must-see for visitors to Vancouver, and a great place to live for residents! The historic neighbourhood, located right by the water, is great for sightseeing—and the Gastown Steam Clock isn’t the only attraction!

Water Street is where you’ll find most shops and boutiques. From unique shoes from John Fluevog to colourful furniture and homewares from Inform Interiors, the stores located here are curated—so you won’t find large businesses and chain stores in this part of the city. As well, there area vast number of restaurants and cafes that will appeal to anyone’s taste! A must-see is The Old Spaghetti Factory, which serves delicious Italian cuisine that tastes just like home. Many restaurants have sidewalk patios so that you can enjoy your meal right out in the city air. 

Gastown’s green space is Crab Park, which offers beautiful mountain views and houses a little dock where you can watch the boats pass by. Downtown Vancouver has a multitude of parks and outdoor areas, and Gastown’s location makes it easy for one to get around: public transport access, main roads, and, of course, the Waterfront train station.