Being a West End resident for the last six years, I’ve been watching the gold and brown Pacific Palisades towers undergo a transformation. I don’t cover real estate development often, but it’s been interesting to see the Robson and Jervis based hotel buildings (circa the 1960s) shift into rental properties. Now owned by Austeville Properties, […]

In case you’re wondering why Robson and Granville has been so busy with construction lately, there is a large project underway. Photo credit: Heritage Vancouver on Flickr This involves an overhaul of the Power Block at 817-819 Granville, where Charlie’s Music was located. The building (circa 1888 rear & 1929 front) is designated a category […]

Robson Square is home to salsa dancing every Sunday this month (and last) from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Organized by Stephen and Jennifer Dancey of Salsa Vancouver, these lessons – followed by dance shows – are totally free. Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr John walked by yesterday on his way home from Empire Field and […]

Located under Robson Street, where the ice rink entertains in the winter months, the Robson Square Artisan Market is now accepting applications for the 2011 season. They are looking for artisan vendors & family friendly entertainment for the season starting June 4th. 2010 Olympic zipline. Photo credit: susan gittins on Flickr The market will be […]

My good friend Keira recently turned the big “3-0” and to celebrate I joined her for a brunch followed by a manicure and pedicure at Cranberries Spa on Robson. Truth be told, I first heard about Spa on Twitter so I was curious to see what the experience would be like. Photo © Snap Weddings […]

Walking by the torn up Robson Square above-ground plaza yesterday I realized I still haven’t posted about the construction. Shortly after the Olympics and Paralympics ended, my regular #5 downtown bus driver said that the route would be on a detour (right at Thurlow, left at Smithe, left at Burrard, along Pender) until at least […]

The Olympic Zipline is coming to downtown Vancouver. Something usually associated with soaring high above mountain treetops on Grouse or in Whistler will be flying high above Robson Square courtesy of Ziptrek Ecotours. Early reports said the line would run across Robson Square and over to Chapters at Robson and Howe, however the Ziptrek Ecotours […]

This morning as the #5 Robson/Downtown bus turned right onto Thurlow, instead of heading straight towards Seymour, I obviously knew something was up. Usually when there are temporary route changes they take the trolley buses out of comission but this bus was following the lines down Thurlow, left on Smithe, and left on Burrard. The […]

I heard about this in the news years ago but every time I walk into the Starbucks on Robson and Bidwell I am reminded of the heroic act and sacrifice made by Anthony McNaughton. In January of 2000, Tony McNaughton was the manager of the Starbucks when a man (who was the disgruntled ex-husband of […]

Living in the West End we often try to avoid Robson street, except when it comes to taking the bus to and from destinations. We prefer the tree-covered strolls of the side streets to the hustle and bustle of tourists, shoppers, students, and those in much more of a hurry than us. That’s not to […]