Gastown

Gastown is situated at the northeast end of Downtown Vancouver, adjacent to the Downtown Eastside. It is considered to be a national historic site. The historical boundaries according to the 1870 town site survey include the CPR tracks and Water Street, that initially were the waterfront, Cambie Street, Columbia Street and Hasting Street. At that time the proper postal address and name was Granville, B.I. or Burrard Inlet. The present boundary does not comprise the majority of Hastings Street, apart from the Dominion and Woodward's Buildings. The boundary stretches east past Columbia Street to the laneway running parallel to Main Street's west side.

Gastown has become known as a center for new technology and media. It has attracted various companies including Idea Rebel, MarketR, Zaui Software and BootUp Labs Entrepreneurial Society. This particular area is likewise home to a mixture of interior furnishing stores, contemporary fashion boutiques and numerous tourist oriented companies within the Water Street area. There are various restaurants, night clubs and housing establishments.

Gastown likewise boasts numerous professional offices varying form law firms, architects, internet and computer businesses, art studios, film and acting schools and art galleries.

The streets of Gastown play host to well-known yearly events like for instance the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and the Tour de Gastown, that is an international bicycle race.

A lively theatrical 65 minute show known as Storyeum first opened within Gastown during the year 2004. They offered 8 sets that they utilized in order to re-enact the history of BC. These sets were all situated under street level. Sadly, the show had to close its doors in 2006 because of increasing debt.

Gastown is located near downtown Vancouver hotels and business core. Towards the east, where Chinatown and Gastown meet is the Sun Yat Sen Gardens, towards the west is the marvelous Canada Place. It is a simple 5 minute walk from the Cruise Ship terminal or the Vancouver Trade and Convention Center. Towards the south are Rogers Arena, previously GM Place, International Village and BC Place.

It is simple to access Gastown via the rapid transit system of Vancouver, the SkyTrain, by the Sea Bus, which is a ferry service from the North Shore, by city buses from all areas of the Lower Mainland and by the West Coast Express.