Area
Gastown
Brick and beam, cobblestones and a steam clock that draws a crowd every 15 minutes. Gastown suits creative offices, studios, boutiques and restaurants. It’s a heritage area, so storefront and sign changes may go through City heritage review, which adds time. Older buildings can also mean limited power and accessibility.
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What tenants look for here
Character office and studio space in heritage buildings, ground-floor retail and restaurant space on Water, Cordova and Carrall, and an address that tells clients something about your brand.
What to watch
- Heritage buildings can limit what you change. Renovations, signage and storefronts may need extra approvals. Build that time into your plan.
- Building systems in older buildings: elevators, HVAC, accessibility and washrooms vary a lot from one building to the next.
- Street-by-street differences. A block can change the foot traffic and the feel. Walk it at the hours you’d be open.
Good fits
Design and creative studios, tech teams, boutique retail, galleries, cafés and restaurants.
Local notes
- Heritage rules apply. Gastown is a National Historic Site, and storefront, sign and some building changes may go through the City’s heritage review. Build that time into your plan and your lease’s fixturing period.
- Old buildings need checking. Seismic, sprinkler, accessibility and washroom upgrades can be expensive. Many older Gastown buildings have no elevator or an old one, which limits upper-floor uses, accessibility and freight, so check whether there is one, its capacity and condition, and what an upgrade would cost. The lease should say clearly who pays for what.
- Restaurants need the right bones. Venting, a grease interceptor, gas and enough power. A space that was already a restaurant can save months, and a liquor licence or patio permit takes its own time.
- Loading and parking are tight. Narrow streets and limited loading make deliveries a daily question. Ask how the current tenants handle it.
- The feel changes block by block. I’ve heard people say “not past the steam clock after dark.” East of the clock, toward Carrall Street and the Downtown Eastside, there’s more visible homelessness and street disorder at night. I hope that improves for everyone soon, but for now it’s something to be mindful of when you’re looking at the neighbourhood. Walk the block at different times of day before you sign. Waterfront Station is a short walk, which helps with staff.
Go deeper
If you’re looking for more details
Before you sign in Gastown
- Check the zoning allows your use at that exact address.
- Walk the block at the hours you’d be open.
- Ask for the last two years of additional rent.
- Find out what the landlord will do before you move in, in writing.
- Look for a demolition or relocation clause.
Permits and licences
Inside the City of Vancouver you need a business licence for each location. A new use may need a development permit, renovations usually need a building permit, and many commercial spaces need an occupancy permit before you open. Plan the time for each step into your opening date.
Heritage buildings, in practice
Many Gastown buildings are on the City’s heritage register, and some are protected. Changes to storefronts, signs and the outside of the building can need extra review. Inside, older buildings often need upgrades for washrooms, accessibility or fire separation when the use changes.
Ask the landlord what has already been done.
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