Location
The historic Roundhouse, that now sits at the edge of Yaletown, was the real beginning of this district. The original railway roundhouse was situated in the Fraser Canyon town of Yale...when the railway decided to move it down to Vancouver, the railroad workers followed. Some even moved their homes on rail flatcars down to Vancouver... the area where they set up their new homes became known as Yaletown. By the early 1900s the warehouse district had emerged with warehouses, truck and transfer companies and small manufacturers being the chief tenants. Although the city planners had hoped to expand this warehousing district, the lure of cheaper suburban land and its proximity to major highways combined with the increased use of transport trucks drew most of the industrial tenants away from this downtown area in the latter years of the 20th Century.

The Concord Pacific area runs along the north side of the False Creek Waterway. The original site of Vancouver lumberyards and industrial mills, the area was cleaned up and became the renowned Expo 86 site when Vancouver hosted the world. Since Expo 86, the 204 acres have been carefully and magically transformed into an urban residential oasis that combines the best of the waterfront with the vibrancy of the urban atmosphere.

Housing
In the 1960s the downtown core of Vancouver began its "high rise transformation". Yaletown still held its industrial zoning status, so a lot of the warehouses were spared demolition... but still a good number of them did fall to the wrecking ball to make way for parking lots for all those office workers now flocking into the downtown core each day.
Soon though, these urban professionals began to take note of these warehouses so conveniently located near to the downtown core. In the later 70s and early 80s, renovations and restoration began on some of these warehouses and restaurants, nightclubs and retail stores became the new tenants.

Recognizing the potential the city rezoned the area in the mid 80s thus encouraging the conversion and renovation of the existing warehouses, as well as the construction of compatible new buildings. The intent was - and is - to establish a compatible and contemporary mix of commercial, industrial and residential usage. A number of "loft-style" residential conversions, as well as new construction, have significantly increased the residential flavour of this area.

Concord Pacific has successfully blended high-rise and low-rise, townhouse and condo, state-of-the-art facilities with breathtaking views, green space and air space. The overall effect is breathtaking and a pleasure to live in.

Transportation
Concord Pacific/Yaletown – situated at the edge of the downtown core – has one of the best transportation options of any neighbourhood in Vancouver. Many residents in Yaletown choose not to own a vehicle because access is so easy. Some condo buildings have even instituted a system whereby, when you purchase your condo, you also purchase shares in a "common" car that can be used on an "appointment" basis by residents, thus eliminating any need to actually own a car.

With water taxis to the south side of False Creek and Granville Island, easy walking access to the Skytrain (for travel to the suburbs), as well as large grocery chain stores, produce delis, liquor stores, drycleaners, fashion shops, theatres and restaurants, the Concord Pacific/Yaletown is one of Vancouver's most coveted areas to live.

Shopping
This is the city’s newest shopping, high-tech and film industry district. Turn-of-the-century buildings that now house high-end furniture, home design and designer clothing retailers characterize the neighbourhood, and it has become the favourite spot for film industry offices and shooting. Stick around and you might see Hollywood stars on the streets or doing their grocery shopping at the new high-end "it’s an experience not just a grocery store" Urban Fare.

Recreation
A necklace of parks adorn the area around the False Creek basin – David Lam, Creekside and Coopers’ Parks.

Take the time and visit David Lam Park, an impressive 10 acres of open green space and flowers. The beautiful David Lam Park is named for an extraordinary public figure who retired after an illustrious 6-year term as British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor. David Lam Park is a great place to bring children. Two large play areas provide hours of continuous fun. A plaza steps down to a natural grass playing field and a tidal pool surrounded by large boulders rounds out the scenery. Take a look at its natural shoreline and you will notice large steps which carry down to the water creating informal seating opportunities overlooking a natural cobble tidal slope and secondary walkway. The continuous waterfront walkway, or seawalk, which will run along the entire waterfront of Concord Pacific Place, separates pedestrian traffic from bicycles.

To further preserve the historic nature and "colour" of the area, the City has recently recognized the old truck loading docks with their overhang canopies as architectural features unique to this area and has encouraged their use as pedestrian walking and seating areas for restaurants and retail.

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