Yaletown
The upscale neighbourhood of Yaletown sprang from the remnants of a rundown industrial area after Vancouver's Expo 86
Once a contaminated and run down area of old factories, warehouses and railway buildings, Yaletown is an example of how dramatically an area can be transformed. Home of a Canadian Pacific Railway yard that was extended into Vancouver this area once housed many railway workers who previously resided in the town of Yale in the Fraser Canyon when the line terminated there (thus the name Yaletown). Located on False Creek, many factories and warehouses followed, many of which are still there. After becoming rundown over the years the area was bought by the city and later sold to a Hong-Kong based developer with strict guidelines for development.
Today this neighbourhood features a mix of both new and heritage buildings complimented by lots of green space, a seawall along False Creek, schools, offices, apartments, stores and restaurants. Along Hamilton and Mainland Streets older brick warehouses have been converted to offices and apartments with specialty stores and restaurants along the lower level. A major landmark in Yaletown is the old brick Canadian Pacific Rail roundhouse, now the Roundhouse Community Centre which features an old train engine turntable converted to a small amphitheatre and also houses Engine #374 which brought the very first passenger train to come into Vancouver in 1887.
You can travel from Yaletown to Granville Island and Telus Science World with either of two privately operated passenger ferry services; False Creek Ferries or Aquabus that link various points around False Creek. These are not part of the Public Transit system so additional fares do apply, however they are not expensive.
