Proximity to both waterfront and the downtown core, make Fairview a highly desirable residential enclave. Access to the seawall for strolling, biking and rollerblading, ensures that Fairview residents have plenty of recreational opportunities despite less green space than some other areas. Well suited to the ‘urban family’, Fairview has two public elementary schools, an independent school - offering elementary French immersion courses - and the acclaimed Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, on Granville Island.

Location
Adjacent to the water, the Fairview area stretches from False Creek southward to 16th Avenue. It is bounded by Burrard Street on the west and Cambie Street on the east.

Housing
Demand for this desirable area has led to a reduction in the number of single family dwellings and greatly increased the number of multi-family dwellings. Light industrial areas still dot the landscape of Fairview. Converted warehouse buildings offer loft style living next to a variety of commercial venues.

Shopping
South Granville - this stretch of Granville, from 16th Avenue to the Granville Street bridge, is a vibrant mix of upscale retail, coffee bars, popular restaurants, art galleries and high end antique shops.

4th Avenue east of Burrard - has become "Boarder world". All the snowboard and skateboard shops are grouped in a three block stretch of 4th Avenue that hums with attitude.
The Broadway corridor - proximity to a predominately rental unit area of Fairview (south from Broadway up to 16th Avenue), as well as Vancouver General Hospital - and its outlying clinics and similar business off-shoots - the Broadway corridor has become the utilitarian shopping area. Here, the big stores like London Drugs, Pier 1 Imports and Future Shop are juxtaposed with coffee bars, restaurants, small boutiques and medical supply shops.

Granville Island - Granville Island is renowned for its Public Market with fresh produce and specialty items, a wide array of art galleries and studios and the Emily Carr Institute. It is also home to a host of storefront businesses, fine restaurants, a hotel and a Float home community. Granville Island has become the heart and soul of the Fairview area.

Transportation
Fairview is very accessible. Bus routes are plentiful and there is easy automobile access to the downtown core, the Vancouver Airport and Highway #1. Alternative types of transportation include the Aquabus to downtown and the "Tram" system that currently runs from Granville Island to Science World (just beyond the Fairview boundary).

For more great information and interesting history about the neighbourhood, click here!