Granville Island:
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There's more to Granville Island than meets the visitor's eye. A contingent of people come to the Island every day to do a job at one of the diverse shops, galleries and marketplaces, or the private businesses squirreled away in the upper floors, attics, nooks and crannies of the Island edifices and in separate buildings off the beaten path.
Where else in the world can rusty tin-sided factories boast rebirth as a Public Market, an art school, shops, restaurants, theatres, galleries, a hotel, and a great deal more?
It's a remarkable thing, this island in the middle of a city of two million. Embracing the surrounding metropolitan bustle, Granville Island's ambiance is matchless; its gritty, industrial past is proudly displayed in today's people-friendly, artistic, and energetic incarnation.
From the outset of its redevelopment in the late 1970s, Granville Island has been a haven for the arts. All across the Island, former empty sheds have been reawakened as studios, stages, sets and scenery for art exhibits, theatrical plays, street performers, and music shows.
The Vision:
Granville Island is a revitalized, urban waterfront neighbourhood: respectful of its heritage; committed to excellence; serving the Vancouver community.
Remnants of the past:
Cement factory, Ocean Construction Ltd. 80 years old.
Drill bit manufacturer, Micon Industries, from the 60’s.
Developement Character:
The industrial character of the Island is the singular quality that makes the Island distinct from the other character areas in the City. The design of buildings and open spaces must interpret this character through contemporary detailing.
The following principles should be adhered to in the development of new and renovated structures on the Island.
- Building activities should be visually accessible to the public, day and night.
- Large existing doorways provide excellent viewing areas to inside activities.
- Ground floor uses should encourage public interaction.
- Less public uses such as offices should be on second or third floors.
- Uses for buildings should be selected such that they benefit from the size and shape of the existing structure.
- Where buildings project over the water, public access should be encouraged through them.Where new buildings are built on piles, public access should be provided around them.
- Recycled and new buildings should reflect the industrial qualities of Granville Island through the use of metal or stucco siding, heavy timber, large doors, multi-paned industrial windows, and skylights.
- Colour and graphics should be selected to reinforce the industrial vocabulary of the Island.
- Tenants are encouraged to make use of the the basic elements of the street hardware system to support a multiplicity of activity.
Land Use:
Direction Flow of traffic:
Many local residents who visit Granville Island travel by foot, bus, bicycle, or ferry, adding to the friendly market atmosphere of the community.
BC transit bus: #50 False Creek and #51 Granville Island
Pathways for bikes and bike racks, pedestrians: Bicycle route following main car route and scenic bicycle path shared with pedestrians along the south shore of False Creek Inlet. Also Aquabus is a bike-friendly boat.
Water Acess: Marinas for boats, free public dock with three-hour moorage.
Ferries: Aquabus, False Creek Ferry. Road and free three hour parking in designated areas for cars.
For more relevant information on Granville Island visit the Developement Plan.
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<< aerial view of Granville Island |
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