Vancouver West End

The Vancouver West End may be one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, but it’s certainly not stuck in the past. What was once a dense forest in the late 19th century quickly transformed into a playground for the city’s elite, complete with grand mansions and more than a few over-the-top parlors. Thanks to the extension of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s, this area became the place to be—if you had the money, that is.

But the West End didn’t stay exclusive for long. By the early 20th century, it began to diversify, blending stately heritage homes with the high-rise apartments that define its skyline today. With Stanley Park, English Bay, and downtown Vancouver just a stone’s throw away, it’s no wonder this neighborhood has always been in high demand. Over the years, the West End has managed to keep its charm while embracing the buzz of urban life, proving that old and new can live together in stylish harmony.