Granville Island

Granville Island was a former industrial manufacturing hub that was masterfully transformed into a life and leisure district in the Fairview neighbourhood of Vancouver. The “island” is actually a peninsula covering 38 acres across False Creek from Downtown Vancouver.

The southern stretch of the 2,400-metre Granville Street Bridge crosses over the peninsula which was created in the mid-1960s through landfills around two small sandbars.

After industrial operations stopped at the peninsula in the 1970s, the federal government purchased Granville Island and invited entrepreneurs, businessmen, and artists to lease the area’s buildings.

The revitalized area included a charming seawall which was inaugurated in 1977 to officially open Granville Island as one of Vancouver’s premier commercial centres.

More than 10 million visitors now flock to Granville Island each year, drawn by its myriads of attractions including a large Public Market. This retail center offers to shoppers items newly harvested from the ocean and the fields, as well as food fresh from the oven.

The culinary delights in the market range from Asian, Mexican, Greek and deli food to snacks and candies offered by approximately 50 vendors. Diners have access to a large scenic outdoor eating area adjacent to the market and overlooking downtown Vancouver.

Besides its various restaurants offering a wide variety of dishes, Granville Island is also home to numerous artists’ studios and workshops.

In addition, the island is host to the stage of the Arts Club Theatre Company featuring an exciting selection of shows and live performances each season. A 440-seat venue, the Grandville Island Stage provides a full bar service and a reception area with views of False Creek, making it ideal for meetings or gatherings.

Another performance hub in Granville Island comes in the Carousel Theatre for Young People. The theatre features a season of mainstage programming and offers the BEE Stage for the Very Young, a year-round drama school for young people ages 3-17, and the Teen Shakespeare Program.

With these arts centres in the island, it follows that many fun events also gravitate to the area. Among the festivities that Granville Island hosts include the Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival and the Annual Indian Summer Festival.

Mr Lawn Installation and Landscaping Vancouver

Continuing our journey to explore notable destinations in Vancouver BC of Canada, let’s now venture into the dynamic and lively community of Canada Place.