Streeter: Portrait of an emerging neighbourhood

Credit: Becky Gavigan

“Yeah, it’s definitely got something…”

Ask anyone on the street along Commercial Drive’s south end about the character of the area and you’ll learn of an emerging Vancouver neighbourhood with an unmistakable charm currently in the process of transition.

“It used to be a working class neighbourhood,” says one local resident at the corner of Commercial and 11th. “Now, it is a yuppie scum pit.”

“I like this neighbourhood,” says another local. “It’s very progressive and community oriented.”

Obviously, the transition of the area from its moribund past to a more gentrified, albeit no less diverse, community isn’t to everyone’s taste. But for others, the changes are welcome, as new businesses and new faces have generated a renewed sense of vitality to the block in recent years.

“This block, I’m really happy to see the business mix that’s here,” says Michelle Barile, executive director of the Commercial Drive BIA. “It’s a nice mix of anchored tenants who have been here a while and new additions.”

One constant has remained however: the tight bond amongst the neighbourhood’s businesses and residents, who make it a matter of pride to maintain lasting relationships and cheer each other on in making sustainable choices for the area.

“It’s a very bike-friendly community and a very green neighbourhood,” says Barile. “I’ve actually heard that the owners of Bandidas bicycle to get their groceries… that’s just really cool.”

VIDEO: ‘What makes this block so unique?’

As part of our One Block on the Drive series, Becky Gavigan hits the 2700 block of Commercial Drive and asks, “What makes this neighbourhood so unique?”

Having trouble viewing? Watch in “High Quality” on YouTube.