Gastown has recently been named the fourth most stylish neighborhood in the world, so it only makes sense we kick off our 604 neighborhood tours in one of the most reputable locations our city has to offer.
My day in Gastown was far from the usual. Whenever I head downtown, I tend to myself somewhere along Granville and Robson where shopping second to none, but I wanted to change it up a bit and experience a different culture on the Vancouver streets.
Being a young girl soon to enter eleventh grade, I learned that Gastown isn’t the place you would expect to see teenagers hang around.
Once I stepped foot into Gastown, the ultimate city of old and new, I first thought, “Wow, what’s there to even do here?”. I continued walking deeper into this pleasing little neighbourhood, looking a tad lost, and the thing I knew was.. I was in love. The enthused people, the live jazz bands playing in cafés, the aging buildings towering over me, and the vividness this city gave provided an atmosphere most don’t know even exists in the 604.
My mind was set to visit the famous structures and a recommended restaurant by a local. Here are a few pictures I captured of my day in Gastown:
Silvestre Gusto Latino:
This restaurant serves Peruvian food, crêpes, Italian Gelato, etc. I had a pleasure of trying a crêpe, tiramisu cake, and green-tea ice cream. Very exquisite taste.
Hotel Europe: Built: 1908
Hotel Europe is a six-story heritage building located at 43 Powell Street (at Alexander). Situated on a triangular lot, the building is designed in the flatiron style. It was the first reinforced concrete structure to be built in Canada and the earliest fireproof hotel in Western Canada.
The Steam Clock: Built in 1977
Gastown’s most famous landmark is the steam clock on the corner of Cambie and Water Street. Built to cover a steam grate, part of Vancouver’s distributed steam-heating system, the clock was built as a way to harness the steam and to prevent street people from sleeping on the spot in cold weather.
“Gassy Jack“, a statue of the late, and one of many Vancouver icons, John Deighton:
Gastown in motion
All in all, I can say in true honesty that my day spent in Gastown was a unique experience compared to any of the other places I have visited in Vancouver. In conclusion, I can agree that Gastown is the most peaceful part of downtown, and also a perfect place to gain some knowledge of Vancouver’s history.
Written by: Jade Morales
SEE ALSO: 3 Shades of Gastown
