Bordered by Clark Dr, Broadway, Nanaimo St and the Burrard Inlet, this historic neighbourhood tells one of the common stories of Vancouver’s early development. Neighbourhoods like Grandview started when parcels of Crown land were divided into District Lots and sold for the development of family homes. Grandview specifically became a desirable area in the early 1890s’, with the beginning of the interurban electric railway tram line to New Westminster. Once a sparse area of stagecoach stops and a handful of homes not yet accessible by roads, the success of the tram, partnered with the now divided Crown land, meant that housing developments could begin in earnest. What you see now are the remnants of these original subdivisions, with century-old homes on larger parcels of land.
Developers in the early days championed the Canadian ideal of small homes with manageable yards for every family. Since Grandview developed without a cohesive community plan, this Canadian ideal was represented in a variety of property lot and street sizes, depending on who built where. Municipal trees and parks were also not planned, and instead developed organically. The result is a less organized neighbourhood than is seen in the West End for example, but one that perhaps feels a bit more homey.
Modern Grandview still maintains that eclectic charm, most notably on Commercial Drive, 
with its delicious array of world cuisine, but also in its housing. Where the West End has continually grown upwards, Grandview still boasts many of its pre-war and century old homes. VHF will be celebrating this eclectic neighbourhood on June 2nd by featuring five homes all within walking distance of each other on our 11th annual Heritage House Tour. Two of these homes share an original building permit and were built at the same time as a third right next door. These lovely heritage cottage-style homes are mostly untouched from their humble beginnings, and offer great insight into where early Vancouverites lived.
Just around the corner, we are also picking up the community vibe that still lives here, as one of our tour homeowners offers up her back yard during the tour for by-donation hot dogs, cold drinks, and a Heritage Fair with conservation experts, including the Grandview Heritage Group. Learn from the masters tips, tricks, and methods for restoring a heritage home, and keep these original neighbourhoods, and the homes in them, true to their beginnings.
Come see the Grandview houses for yourself, plus 7 others! VHF’s Heritage House Tour, June 2nd 10am -5pm.
Photo Credits:
All Modern Images: Martin Knowles Photo/Media
Archival Images: Vancouver Public Library “Homes in the Grandview Woodland District”
