Welcome to Yaletown

Once an industrial centre, Yaletown has developed into one of the city’s trendiest and most thriving communities.  Named after the gold rush town of Yale whose residents moved into that part of Vancouver once the Canadian Pacific Railway extended from their home to the city, Yaletown became run down by the late 20^th Century.  After Expo ’86, however, the potential for development in the area became clear, and it was purchased by a Honk Kong investor.  Almost a quarter-century later, one can easily see how that investment has paid off.  Hamilton and Mainland Streets have maintained their historical charm, with refurbished heritage buildings – most of which were once warehouses – converted into lofts, offices, restaurants and shops.  New properties have grown up around this central area, and Yaletown now consist of apartment buildings housing modern condos with fantastic views and amenities.

Who Lives There

The Yaletown population has grown considerably in the last decade, and consists primarily of young professionals in their late 20s to late 30s.  Although there are significantly fewer children in Yaletown than Metro Vancouver as a whole, many young families choose to stay in the area until the time comes to purchase a larger home.  Artists and sales and service people also populate the neighbourhood.  While Yaletown became renowned for multimedia offices during the dot com boom, it now houses a broader array of businesses and its population reflects this. 

Things to Do

Mainland, Hamilton and Homer Streets are replete with hair and nail salons, boutique clothing and gift stores, lifestyle and home furnishing stores, restaurants, and lounges.  Check out Blo Blow Dry Bar or Bombay Brows for some pampering, or Atomic Model for a selection of original clothing.  Fine Finds also features clothing and accessories by local and international designers, and a selection of gifts that rivals that of Beauty Mark down the street.  For vintage finds, stop by Retro Rock Vintage Clothing on Davie and Seymour, arguably one of the best vintage stores within the downtown area.  Urban Fare, Choices Market and Nester’s Market serve the community with a large variety of grocery options, from gourmet to organic to locally grown products.

Yaletown residents are known to keep fit, and Exhale Yoga Pilates Dance Studio at Cambie and Nelson offers a wide variety of classes.  Running, walking, cycling or rollerblading the seawall is another favourite local pastime, and it now runs all the way to Spanish Banks in one direction and Stanley Park and Canada Place in the other.  David Lam Park features free tennis courts and is one of several, including an off leash dog park.  The Roundhouse Community Centre offers activities and programs for all ages, and the Yaletown Marina provides moorage for boating enthusiasts.

Restaurants abound in this part of town.  Try Brix, Glowbal or Blue Water for fine dining, or Cactus Club or Rodney’s Oyster Bar for more casual fare.  Phat and Bojangles create great sandwiches, and Provence at the marina, although open all day, boasts some of the best brunch in Vancouver.  Yaletown’s most recent addition, 100 Days in the Opus Hotel, is a concept restaurant modeled after the pop-up restaurant trend that began in New York City, and combines art and food in one experience.  Bar None is open late for those wishing to check out the club scene.

Real Estate

Yaletown showcases some of the best properties Vancouver real estate has to offer.  The new developments promise elegant, modern design, fantastic amenities, and great views.  Yaletown condos are on average relatively small, however, and prices can be higher than most other Vancouver real estate of similar proportions.  Properties such as the Grace on Richards St. embody the style and sophistication of Yaletown real estate, boasting an indoor/outdoor pool, biometric fingerprint security, and suites featuring granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and limestone tile floors. 

Schools and Safety

Elsie Roy Elementary School has a beautiful location across from False Creek, next to David Lam Park.  Dorothy Lam Centre is also located here, and offers childcare and programs for children.   King George Secondary in the West End is the closest secondary school.  CSLI (Canadian as a Second Language Institute) has a campus on the corner of Cambie and Nelson, and the Vancouver English Centre is one block away on Smithe.

Yaletown is usually busy whatever the time of day, and the streets are well lit with many businesses open late.  The neighbourhood can be considered quite safe, but one should exercise caution along the unlit seawall after dark.

Transportation

Yaletown is easily accessible from any part of town.  The recent addition of the Canada Line facilitates commutes north to the downtown core (one stop) and Waterfront Station, or south to South Cambie, Oakridge, Richmond, and the Vancouver International Airport.  The Aquabus ferries have two stops in Yaletown, one at the Yaletown Marina and one at David Lam Park.  The Aquabus offers an efficient and stress-free way to travel around False Creek.

Shuttle buses run throughout the neighbourhood and connect to major bus routes, and a cycle lane runs up and down Pacific St. to Expo Boulevard, connecting to Downtown Vancouver or Gastown, or across the Burrard and Cambie St. Bridges.  Hamilton and Mainland are both one way in order to accommodate pedestrians and parking.  Most Yaletown properties feature secure underground parking, and there is meter parking on the street for visitors.

Up next: False Creek North

Downtown - Yaletown

British Columbia - Canada

Introduction

The Yaletown part of downtown Vancouver underwent a major transformation after Expo86 (1986). Prior to Expo86 it was a combination of semi-industrial and commercial establishments. Mainly several blocks of warehouses with lots of loading docks along the cramped streets. This was the result of close access to False Creek and Granville Island. In the earlier years of the 1900's this was the industrial part of Vancouver making extensive use of water and rail transport in the area.
After Expo86 when most of the fair structures were removed a new perspective of the cleared land emerged. With many of the industrial and commercial aspects having moved to other areas Yaletown and the north side of False Creek became the focus of development for residential purposes which resulted in the combination of heritage style condos and modernistic residential towers.

Geography - Location and area

Yaletown is somewhat physically separate from the area bordering the northern shoreline of False Creek. They are divided by Expo Boulevard. The traditional Yaletown is West of Expo Boulevard to Homer Street, from Nelson Street on the North to Drake Street on the South. Any development between Expo/Pacific along the actual shoreline of False Creek is considered to be False Creek North. Some people consider this whole area to be Yaletown. Both views have merit.

Population and Social Demographics

Commercial Business Demographics

The majority (80%) of commercial/business establishments exist to serve the resident population. Those that are most likely to attract out of area customers are mainly resturants and niche services not found in the West End and other nearby downtown locations.

Services - Education - Health - Recreation

All the services required to support this residential community are within walking distance. This includes medical and dental clinics (2 major hospitals are only minutes away by car- St Pauls and VGH), banking, business support, postal outlets and more.
In the newer area can be found the Seawall, parks, playgrounds, a major community centre (Roundhouse), a grade school and daycare facilities.
Transit requirements are served by community shuttles on a frequent schedule connectiing to all major parts of downtown via transfers to main line buses and a skytain station can be found in the middle of the community.

Real Estate - Housing types/styles - Architecture

The traditional part of Yaletown is made up almost exclusively of heritage structures that have been converted to business, commercial and residential purposes. All buidings outside of this older section are newly built towers and adjacent lowrise residential properties.