Something that often surprises newcomers to the West End is that there are a lot less condominiums available to buy here than meets the eye. The large character homes that were built in the early 1900s, started to disappear fast from the 1950s onwards, being replaced with mid to high rise apartment buildings. However the large majority of these are apartment rental buildings. There are also a dozen leasehold buildings where you can buy individual rental leases (til the year 2073) and a number of co-ops (the precursor to condos) where you buy shares in the co-op then lease your suite from the company in which you own shares. As these co-ops were some of the first to be built they are also in the some of the very best locations, including the prized area “West Of Denman” directly adjacent to Stanley Park.

In terms of condos, there are a handful of high rises including several on Beach Avenue overlooking English Bay. However, the majority of condos are smaller low rise wood frame offerings mainly built in the 70s and 80s, tucked away on quiet side streets throughout the area.  There are also a number of small townhouse complexes and, as of the latest count, approximately 40 privately owned single family homes that have somehow survived the years!

New condos, built since 2000, do exist but are mainly in the Alberni/Georgia corridor north of Robson Street. To find something recently built in the “true” West End is harder but not impossible especially with the right guide! With further increased density on its way, as part of the City’s plan, and development sites in other parts of Downtown becoming rarer and rarer, expect to see older rental buildings coming down and making way for more new condos in the next few years. These will hopefully   be smaller, high end, boutique style buildings which would be a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.