"Truly successful places - those that appeal to our minds, hearts and souls - offer us a way to connect with each other. These places develop organically over time, and are more about emotion than economics and design. Granville Island is one those special places..." - Lino Siracusa, former director of Granville Island
Once a sandbar used by Indigenous populations to capture shellfish, Granville Island became an actual island in 1916, an industrial powerhouse with over 40 businesses that manufactured materials for mining, lumber, and shipping. For the next 50 years, Granville Island prospered.
By the 1970s, it was in decline and it became clear that something had to be done. That's when the federal government of Canada stepped in and led an effort with the City of Vancouver to transform the island into another form of economic powerhouse with what are now over 300 businesses that have had a profound long-term impact on the Social Life of the city.
Today, Granville Island is Canada’s biggest tourist destination after Niagara Falls, thanks to a stunning array of cultural facilities, markets, play areas, water activities, restaurants, and waterfront views. It's also a place where locals shop and explore.
This transformation wasn't an accident but an intentional effort that involved some key planning principles unique to 1970s-era redevelopment and still unique today:
- Build on the industrial character of the architecture: build on that, renovate, adapt and re-use.
- Keep industrial and maritime uses that are working in place, and make them part of the destination.
- Ban chain stores: the island should be a mixed-use destination that serves local businesses and cultural organizations that reflect the character and uniqueness of Vancouver.
- Make a public market the economic and social heart of Granville Island.
Within this context, public spaces on Granville Island are packed into one great multi-layered destination. It is a positive, disruptive example of what is possible in every city if they prioritize the revitalization of public life. It is characterized by an intensity of activity defined by a great variety of things to do, commercial offerings, water edge activations, sports, art, culture, entertainment, and play areas.
Granville Island is a high energy, multi-dimensional, authentic place that can be considered the "heart" of Vancouver.
The Magic of Granville Island
In 2010, Project for Public Spaces hosted a two-day forum of planners, developers and city officials at Granville Island. We drew inspiration from the island and discussed what makes a great multi-use destination. Here's what we learned:
- Why do we spend so much money on new developments that don’t work and that don’t attract people when we have amazing examples of ones that do? Public multi-use destinations like Granville Island have proven to be very popular and successful, so we should replicate them.
- Don’t lead with design. The design of multi-use destinations should be aimed at creating a “setting” for the uses that are occurring within it and to highlight the products offered along with the authentic aspects of the place.
- The importance of government learning to say “yes” to new ideas and developing stronger, more trusting relationships with the private sector.
- “If you think you’re done, you’re finished” – Develop spaces that are flexible, dynamic, and that “manage themselves.” Ongoing and innovative management are key to creating vibrant multi-use destinations.
- “The magic is in the mix.” We are moving beyond the simple concept of “mixed use” toward a technique of development that builds authentic places through establishing settings and uses that are intimately related, interconnected and interdependent. True sustainability comes from the relationships between uses, tenants, and the organizations within a place.
- Find creative funding strategies to keep rents low, attract a range of tenants and incentivize the presence of tenants who may not produce a lot of money for the site, but who bring a lot of foot traffic and are invested in the area.
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The Building Blocks of Granville Island
Working Waterfront: From Boat Repair to a Concrete Plant
Granville Island is still home to many maritime-related businesses that occupy large stretches of the island edge. While prevailing planning wisdom in the 1970s would have said you need to "separate" these uses, Granville mixes them in with restaurants and public spaces so that they are part of the experience of visiting the island, even if the working waterfront uses are not themselves publicly accessible.
Boat Repair Facilities
"Proceed with caution" but the maritime uses are very much visible and part of the island scene.
Concrete Plant
This concrete plant is no ordinary-looking facility: its bright colors animate the island.
Even the concrete trucks are colorful, painted to promote the arts and public market on Granville Island
Water's Edge Uses
Holly Whyte taught us the importance of water for attracting people to public spaces and how it is essential to not only be able to look at it but also to get right up to the edge where you can touch the water.
Granville Island Markets and Maker Spaces
Granville Island is a "Market City" in itself, with multiple markets selling food, crafts, and kids' items. The markets are complemented and sometimes supplied by scores of local artisans who make everything from beer to jewelry around the island.
Granville Island Public Market: the heart of the island
The Public Market – where local produce and a tempting array of pastries, meats, and other treats are available all year – is the island's heart. It is an economic engine that provides the resources that enable non-profits and startups to operate at a lower cost. It exemplifies the "Placemaking" approach to urban development that we have long advocated for.
There are some 50 food vendors in Granville Island Public Market, and sales figures show it is the most successful public market in North America. Open daily, the market vendors sell produce, fresh fish and meats, deli products, prepared foods, and a wide range of craft items. There are both permanent stalls as well as temporary "day" stalls that enable entrepreneurs to try out a business at lower costs.
During nice weather days, the joyful business of eating and drinking coffee spills out along the waterfront, where buskers, magicians, and other performers command large crowds. And it is just a short stroll from the market to a rich offering of bookstores, bistros, theaters, crafts studios, and numerous businesses catering to boaters.
Public Market Vendors
The market has incubated a tantalizing array of fresh and prepared foods to serve almost any taste. Vendors reflect the cultural diversity of Vancouver and serve both tourists and locals. The market is managed to make it an authentic place, however, and not to cater only to tourists who dominate trade during the summer months.
Note the amazing displays of product in the market and how vendors effectively use both low spaces (below the counter) and high spaces. The old industrial spaces are perfect for inserting a mezzanine for storage or a small office above the stall.
Social connections between customers and vendors abound in the market.
Market stalls each have a unique design which reflect the character of each vendor.
The Public Markets' Public Spaces
The market is built around its interior and exterior public spaces. With increasing demand for prepared food, even more seating and spaces for interaction are needed. These spaces are where the market's Social Life thrives.
The exterior public spaces of the public market extend to the water's edge. They are dynamic places where things are always changing. These spaces perfectly illustrate a concept at the core of our Placemaking principles: "The Power of Ten." This is a principle that states it is important to ensure a wide variety of things to do in a place (ten seems the magic number) and then create a variety of these kinds of places within a district as a whole. People's enjoyment of a place increases exponentially as the number of things to do and see rises.
Net Loft Craft Market
Across the street from the public market is a craft market that features clothing stores, art shops, bookstores, and other unique artisan businesses. The number of vendors ranges from 20 to 30 at any one time, fluctuating depending on pop-up events that expand the number.
Kids Market and Kid-Friendly Zone
Another great example of the Power of Ten is Granville Island's Kids Market, home to 25 retailers selling toys, costumes, candy, and more. It is a fun and engaging experience for kids of all ages, especially because it is part of a larger "kid-friendly zone" that includes a duck pond, water playground, waterfront park, and the Crystal Ark (an exhibit of rocks and stones).
Granville Island Water Park
Railspur Alley
Each of Granville Island's destinations is bolstered by the others, thanks to a network of walkways and pedestrian-dominated streets that make moving about the island fun and easy. Seemingly far from the crowds of the public market (but not really), this relaxing back alley is home to artists and artisans selling what they make in the back of each store. An artisan sake maker is a popular attraction.
False Creek Community Centre and Granville Arts Umbrella
What is a community without a community center or arts center? The False Creek Community Centre and Granville Arts Umbrella help anchor the local community to the island, especially young people.
The Community Centre is jointly operated by the Vancouver Park Board and the False Creek Community Association. It hosts extensive educational and cultural programs while providing recreational and athletic facilities. What can you do here?
- Water activities: Canoeing, kayaking, and going to the water park
- Fitness classes: Step aerobics, yoga, Zumba, and weight training
- Performing arts: Classes and opportunities for performing arts
- Childcare: After-school care and daycare
- Special events: Space to rent for meetings and events like birthday parties
- Recreational activities: Saunas, youth lounge, and a fitness center
- Workshops: Learn to create lanterns, headdresses, and more
Arts Umbrella is a non-profit organization that "believes art can help young people develop confidence, self-discipline, and creativity." What can you do here?
- Art classes: Learn about clay sculpture, sketching, and more
- Dance classes: Take ballet, creative dance, or choreographic workshops
- Theatre classes: Develop acting techniques, learn about dance and choreography, and perform in a one-act musical
- Music classes: Learn about singing and musicianship
- Film classes: Explore the world of filmmaking
- Design classes: Work in a media arts hub and photography darkroom
- Summer and Spring Break programs: Discover new artistic interests and develop skills
- Intensives: Focus on a specific area of the arts, such as musical theater
- General programs: Take sessional classes that introduce students to a variety of arts disciplines
Other Anchor Uses
Granville Island Hotel
This hotel is one of our favorite places to stay in the world, set right in the heart of things.
Bridges Restaurant
Formerly an industrial building, Bridges – with its distinctive yellow color – is one of the most iconic restaurants in Vancouver. It is located right on the water, with amazing views and outdoor eating spaces. Not just a restaurant, Bridges is a popular event and wedding venue that ties the restaurant to the broader community.
Sea Village Marina & House Boats
While some conventional housing is on Granville Island, living in a houseboat is more fun! This community relocated from another site in Vancouver in 1979 as part of the island's redevelopment. The creativity of the early planners of Granville never ceases to amaze us.
Active Public Spaces
Although a rather small slice of central Vancouver, Granville Island caters to many moods in its numerous public spaces. The public market and adjoining docks where boats load are the "town square," and a stretch of restaurants and bars provide boisterous nightlife. You can also find a quiet bench to look out on the water or relax in the park that links Granville with the mainland.
Water-based activities
With Granville island being an island, water-based activities abound, from boating to water tours and more.
Starting with (no) Sidewalks – Shared Space
We often say "start with the sidewalks" when planning streets, but in Granville Island, planners decided not to have sidewalks at all. They just allow people and slow-driving vehicles to mix with right-of-way in a shared space environment.
Granville Island Social Life
Granville Island feels like its own small city, designed with the goal of being an interesting and joyful destination. This is why it is such a popular and memorable place. It teaches us how great places are characterized by a high density of activations in close proximity to each other, distinct areas with offerings for every interest, and a mix of entertainment, play, shopping, rest, refreshment, and exploration areas. Granville Island embodies the saying – the more the merrier – and just a quick glance at its visitors will show they are merry indeed.
If you are interested in collaborating (articles, presentations, exhibits, projects, and more) or supporting the cause contact us.
