Vancouver's
False Creek South
Courtesy Tourism Vancouver
No neighbourhood has changed as dramatically as False
Creek South, one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in North
America. The attempt to create a choice waterfront living space here
began in the early 1970s when a steaming brew of industrial wasteland
was transformed into a park-like development of strata-council
apartments, co-operatives and live-aboard marinas.
This
contributed to the runaway success of
Granville Island, 15 hectares (37 acres) of public markets, craft
shops, artisan studios, theatres and water-view bars and restaurants.
For Vancouverites, Granville Island is to weekends what butter is to
croissants.
Condos and townhouses were added to the area
throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, notably on the Fairview Slope,
which forms the southern edge of the False Creek bowl. In an
astonishing range of architectural styles and colours, False Creek is
now one of the city's most desirable areas for residents and
day-trippers alike. Mini ferries link the two shores, and boat
charters, kayak rentals and dinner cruises are available for those who
want to travel further a field.
