Granville Island, an abandoned industrial place in the 1970s, now receives more than 10 million visitors from all over the world each year, becoming Vancouver's most attractive and active commercial place for both locals and travelers. One of the world's most successful urban renewal projects. Cost-efficient and organic growth solutions.
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Size: 14 ha
Type: Commercial, Retail, Urban Renewal
Client: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Private Developers
Status: Built, with ongoing engagement
Year: From 1980's
Service: Master Planning and Architecture
Partner: Greg Dowling worked on this project with his previous practice
In the early 1970s, the Canadian government began the transformation of the abandoned industrial Area of Granville Island. Founding Partner, Greg Dowling was appointed as one of the key planners, together with other leading Vancouver design firms. Granville Island was converted into one of the most successful Urban Renewal Projects in the world. Granville Island opened to the public in 1979 and has continued to be transformed and upgraded since then, and it's now one of Canada's most visited attractions. Approximately 12 million visitors visit the island each year.
A pioneering project in mixed-use developments, Granville Island planning combines several key elements that make it so successful. These include, introducing the art and creation gene by bringing Emily Carr University of Art and Design to the island, cost-efficient way of building renovation, non-traditional retail space,people-orientated design, creating waterfront mixed-use lifestyle, and capacity to host celebratory events and festivals.
