Vancouver Yaletown: Past, Present & Future
Yaletown Past
Just like many other areas of Vancouver, Yaletown got its start from the formation of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1887. The district in fact obtained its name when the railway moved its building equipment and repair shops from Yale in the Fraser Canyon to the CPR's western ending point in Vancouver. The following twenty years saw a flow of sawmills and shingle mills occupy the north side of the False Creek. By the 1900s the area was a major industrial zone, it was considered a convenient and cheap spot for the processing, repackaging and warehousing of goods.
When Vancouver created its very first city plan during the 1920s, Yaletown was zoned for commercial and a little industrial use. However, many of the warehouses that previous occupied the area moved their businesses closer to highways where truck trailer transportation was consider much more convenient. By the 1950s, many homeowners sold their properties to manufacturing plants and factories which lead to the closure of the Central School at Dunsmuir and Cambie.
Up until the arrival of Expo86 and the vision of a few young urban professionals who saw enormous possibility in the old warehouses and cobblestone pathways, Yaletown was nothing more than empty space. These young entrepreneurs saw that area as a convenient and inexpensive location with enormous potential for office space, restaurants, shops, nightclubs and trendy homes. This was the beginning of an huge transformation for Yaletown from a warehouse district to what it is today.
Yaletown Present
Yaletown today not only consists of a blooming commercial sector with a mixture of offices, classy restaurants, corner cafés and hip boutiques; it is also home to a large urban community and contains its own elementary school (Elsie Roy Elementary School) and community centre (Roundhouse Community Centre). Although the area has developed immensely with a number of classy apartments and townhouses, it still contains many heritage structures such as the old red-brick warehouses and the Roundhouse Community Centre. The Roundhouse at one time was the western terminus for the CPR, today it still accommodates Engine 374, the first passenger train to cross into Vancouver in 1887.
The Yaletown neighbourhood is always full of energy, residents or visitors hang out at Cooper's or Helmcken Park or shop for groceries at Urban Fare. The seawall along False Creek draws a combination of walkers, joggers, cyclists, roller-bladers and canine comrades. Yaletown inhabitants generally consist of young professionals between 20 and 40, wealthy penthouse dwellers and families.
Yaletown Future
The anticipated arrival of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver is bringing about changes to Yaletown that are similar to that of Expo86. The Canada Line (a 2010 Olympics project) is an automated rail-based speedy transit service connecting Vancouver with Central Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport. The purpose of the line is to connect more businesses and offer more effective transportation services to broader areas of the Lower Mainland. Yaletown is set to have its own station on Davie and Mainland Street called Yaletown/Roundhouse Station. It will be located 17 metres underground and will be approximately 80 metres northwest of Pacific Boulevard. The construction of the Canada Line will be a great change for local residents, not only will they see greater traffic coming into their community but they too will gain greater access to other regions of Greater Vancouver.
About the Author:
Devon O'Malley is a staff writer for AlluraDirect, a vacation">http://www.alluradirect.com'">vacation rental website offering powerful search and instant booking features for owners and guests alike. Book your ">http://www.alluradirect.com/vancouver'"> Vancouver vacation rental today and discover Yaletown, one of the city's trendiest downtown communities!