Agent Will

Coal Harbour. What a name! Who would have thought such a place with a name that conjures up image of dirty black hydrocarbons mixed with water would go on to become one of the most beautiful places in all of Canada. And yet the name tells you of much of the area’s history. You see, back in the days of Captain George Vancouver just mapping out the land he noticed visible seems of coal poking out right where Hastings Street runs today. Further exploration deemed the coal of a low grade yet suitable for brick making which is what started one of the first industries in Vancoouver, in particular the West End.

Later inhabitants and industries included the Kanakas tribe, the Squamish tribe (on Deadman’s Island in Stanley Park), the Pacific Lumber Mill, the Vancouver Rowing Club (still in Stanley Park), Boeing Canada’s Seaplane and boat building yards, the Vancouver Shipyards, and the CP Rail station and Shipping docks. Quite the industrial history. In fact, it took Google Maps some time to update themselves to not show major rail lines running where luxury condos sit today.

To see Listings in Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Click Here

The transformation from dirty industry to sparkling towers of green hued glass has taken more than 40 years and continue on to this day as new towers such as the Ritz, Sapphire, and Flatiron continue work. Recent completed additions include the Melville and Cielo.

The boundaries of Coal Harbour are with the Westin Bayshore hotel and residential towers to the West, Georgia to the South, and the Financial district to the East. Water, of course, bounds the North and those fortunate residents with windows facing the seawall truly get to see all that is of postcard beauty everyday.

When I lived in the West End I often found myself walking through the Coal Harbour neighbourhoods, whether along the seawall with a stop at Bojangles Coffee Shop or through the Bayshore (which has the greenest grass in the city and is, in fact, the untouched backdrop for my headshot on the About Me page and on my business card). Art installations abound and are frequently changed. Now, I dig art, but some of these pieces are real headscratchers… I guess that is part of what makes them art. In any case they break up the monotony of gorgeous buildings, brilliant mountain views, cherry blossoms in spring, and seaplanes taking off (Ha! Monotony! Yes, that is sarcasm).

Restaurants in the neighbourhood include the absolutely fantastic Lift and Cardero’s. Entertainment includes long walks, rollerblading, or biking along the seawall, going to Canadaplace for an Imax film, hopping on a seaplane for an aerial tour, popping up to Robson St. for shopping, or going for a boat cruise (boat rentals are available if you do not have your own. Dog accompaniment, of course, is optional.