Granville Island, Vancouver
Located in part underneath the Granville Bridge and consisting of a large variety of shops, stalls and art venues, Granville Island is a popular downtown location descended on by tourists and locals alike searching for bargains, groceries and unique art.
Click on the map pins below to view the available activities within Granville Island, Vancouver
Most popular in the summer, the mostly indoor market place has been in operation for decades, but was revitalized in the 1970's to its current state.
Its early uses were to function as manufacturing plants for surrounding industries which survived through the Great Depression, however, pollution and lack of space for growth eventually forced companies to move outwards, leaving the island a desolate and dilapidated place. The city of Vancouver oversaw a dramatic transformation for the initiative to work toward creating a people-friendly space with multiple uses. This principle still holds as the space encompasses theatres, the Emily Carr University, dozens of restaurants and shops, the Public Market and False Creek's largest marina. Remnants of the past uses of the space still exist as older buildings serve as covered parking and cement trucks call the eastern portion of the island home.
The False creek waterway has a large impact on the activities offered in Granville Island; kayaking, boat rentals and the distinctive and poplar mini-ferries weave in and out and around the island space, while buskers (performance artists) regularly perform at all times of the year in a variety of places around the island.
The only houseboat community in Vancouver is found alongside the North East portion of the island, the bright colours distinguishing one another from their neighbours.
Small parks and adjoining communities have added to the allure of the site.
Most stunning is the evidence of the history of this popular tourist Mecca. Streetcar and rail lines are still embedded in the roadways, the cobblestone paths and small store spaces add richness to the site that embraces the past and present uses of the site and the future of this unique and collaborative space in the heart of the West Coast's largest city.
