Yaletown, Day One
byAlmost four months ago I signed on with my company, based out of Gastown. I’ve been blogging about my discovery of the neighbourhood ever since. Where to get lunch, what to see and do, and where to get a great sammich. Well yesterday our company moved out of our cramped, non-natural-lighting office space on Abbott street and have settled into a new space over on Mainland.
As the years progressed, the proximity of False Creek and the railway meant that Yaletown became heavily industrial. Many factories, rail buildings and warehouses were built, many of which survive to this day.
After the real-estate boom and bust cycles of the 20th century, the area became shoddy and contaminated, and was bought up by the city. After the 1986 World’s Fair (Expo 86), held on neighbouring former-industrial land, the whole area became ripe for development. The site was sold to a Hong Kong-based developer by the name of Li Ka-Shing, setting in train the dramatic redevelopment process which continues to this day. [Yaletown- Wiki]
I’m a little torn by all of this. On the plus side, it’s a nice little area, lots of places to eat, I didn’t get asked for spare change once on my walk in today, it’s a new shiny office that used to be a film studio and I get a window view. On the flip side… there are no trees, there’s noisy Canada Line construction outside, the restaurants are super expensive and pretentious, and the office renovations aren’t quite complete so I’m feeling a little discombobulated.
I’m willing to give Yaletown a break since I’m always expecting people to give Surrey a chance…. but then again those who put Surrey down usually have never even spent time in the City of Parks. However for this reason, I’ll wipe the slate and form my opinions within the coming weeks, and see what it’s like to be an office worker in this part of town. As long as I can still wear jeans that cost less than a tank of gas, shoes that I got at a BOGO sale, and not conform to wearing sunglasses that eat up my entire face, I should be okay.
To help me out in my attempt to befriend my new work neighbourhood, if you have any tips on great, fun, places to get lunches, drop me a comment.
Special item of note: Chez Faye Cafe is nice and has excellent scones, WiFi access, and the dude at the counter is pretty darn funny.
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The City of Parks? I’ve never heard that before. Is that a new moniker, or an under-used one?
I was indoctrinated to disparage all things Surrey because I grew up in West Van, which is kind of the anti-Surrey in the region’s suburban landscape.
Yeah I believe it became the “city of parks” when it was upgraded from ‘municipality’ to ‘city’ in the early ’90s
miss you e-xact folks already!!!!!
drop by for a thur BBQ
Once you get used to the women carrying around little dogs in purses, Yaletown isn’t so bad.
My favourite cafe: Bean Around the World (at Nelson and Mainland) – great sandwiches, wraps, and samosas
My favourite restaurant: Urban Thai – good Thai food
My favourite pub: Yaletown Brewing Company – best place for a Friday lunchtime pint
As a resident (new!) of the area I would say you are in for a treat!
I mean there’s lots to make you smile, drop-kick dogs, impossibly thin girls and guys who choose to use an exhaust pipe to communicate instead of their mouth (probably a good thing in the long run).
Best coffee is probably Triggianos at Davie/Homer, but look opposite and tucked in as part of the Yaletown is a great little cafe called the Yaletown Gelato & Expresso Bar, which is great. Just along from there on Homer is Bella Pizza – simply the best pizza downtown.
If you need Yoga/Pilates try The Space Vancouver, corner of Homer and Nelson. Crumbling building hides a very smart and friendly studio.
Are Yaletowners snobbish? I am really curious… you’ll have to tell me all about it. I have always somehow associated ‘snob’ with Yaletown (although I better fess up to my former Kits-resident status and current Main Street haunts). I would like to live in the neighbourhood but I’d find the prices outrageous.
http://hummingbird604.blogspot.com/2007/07/living-in-yaletown-and-rental-prices.html
And I can’t help but ditto Chris’ suggestion. Yaletown Brewing Company is awesome. Great food and great atmosphere. I never go there for a pint though, I go for dinner.
Welcome to Yaletown, Rebecca. Hope its not too snobby for you. Personally, its a lot friendly then other cities I have lived in. Try George at 1135 Hamilton St., Vancouver Tel: 6046285555. My favourite is their chicken tandoori quesadilla. Their burgers are suppose to be good too.
Chris: we did Urban Thai today – very yummy and large portions for the $7.50 lunch special
MJ: Everyone I’ve run into (on the building or in restaurants) has been totally super nice and chatty. They’re also very glad our office renovations are over as I assume they must have been pretty noisy 😛
Hi Rebecca!
Take it from me, moving to work from Gastown to Yaletown is a lot better than moving from Gastown to an Industrial Park in Burnaby.
BTW, thanks again for the Birthday Graffiti on my Facebook wall. 🙂