Gastown

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

The area within and all-around Gastown is currently recognized as a center for new technology and media. There are numerous businesses situated here, including Idea Rebel, MarketR, Zaui Software and BootUp Labs Entrepreneurial Society. This particular area is likewise home to a mixture of contemporary fashion boutiques, interior furnishing stores and various tourist oriented businesses within the Water Street site. There are a variety of nightclubs, restaurants and housing establishments.

Additionally, Gastown is home to several professional offices consisting of architects, law firms, internet and computer businesses, art studios, film and acting schools and art galleries.

The cobblestone streets of Gastown are home to popular yearly events comprising the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and the Tour de Gastown, an international bicycle race.

A lively theatrical 65 minute show called Storyeum firstly opened within Gastown during 2004. They offered 8 sets that they used to re-enact the history of British Columbia. These sets were all located under street level. Sadly, the show had to close its doors in the year 2006 due to rising debt.

The location of Gastown within downtown Vancouver puts in close to the heart of the business core and hotels. West of Gastown is the marvelous Canada Place and towards the east is the Sun Yat Sen Gardens, where Chinatown and Gastown meet. It is an effortless 5 minute walk from the Cruise Ship terminal or the Vancouver Trade and Convention Center. Towards the south are BC Place, International Village and Rogers Arena, previously GM Place.

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