Vancouver’s Granville Island: from industrial zone to cultural center

History of origins: from shoal to industrialized island

The area of present-day Granville Island was originally just a sandbar in Falls Creek that the indigenous Hen̓k̓emin̓em̓em̓ (Musquim), Squamish, and Slilveta/Selilvitul (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples used for thousands of years for fishing and shellfish harvesting. Locals had a saying, “when the sea is low tide, the table is set”, referring to the wealth of seafood available at low tide.

In the early 20th century, with the growth of industry in Vancouver, there was a need for additional land for forestry, mining and construction. With the completion of the second Granville Street Bridge in 1915, the Vancouver Port Commission approved a project to create a 35-acre artificial island.

The island was created in 1916 by draining and filling in material mined from the bottom of Falls Creek Bay. It was originally called “Industrial Island” (Industrial Island), but was soon named Granville in honor of the bridge that passes over it.

The heyday of the industrial era

The first business on the island, BC Equipment Ltd, opened in 1917. The company repaired and assembled equipment for the mining and forestry industries. Over time, the island became home to numerous industrial businesses, including:

• National Machinery Company Ltd, housed in the now famous Red Barn
• Canada Chain and Forge, which manufactured chains and metal products
• Numerous sawmills, mills and factories

In the 1930s, Granville Island was a bustling industrial center that played an important role in the economy of growing Vancouver. Manufacturing buildings with distinctive corrugated metal architecture defined the island’s appearance for decades.

Interestingly, the island actually ceased to be an island in the 1950s – city officials filled in the channel between it and the mainland to create additional space for industrial facilities. This area is now home to Sutcliffe Park and the Water Park.

Transformation: from decline to revitalization

By the mid-twentieth century, industry in the Falls Creek area began to decline. Sawmills were closing and industrial buildings were deteriorating. The turning point was a major six-alarm fire at a sawmill east of the island.

“It really was a signal that the sawmill era was coming to an end,” noted city historian John Atkin. “The desire to change the polluted waterway and transform Falls Creek set in motion in the mid-1960s a rethinking of what the neighborhood could become.”

In the 1970s, an ambitious project to transform Granville Island began. Although the city controlled much of the south shore of Falls Creek, the island itself remained under federal jurisdiction. The island was transferred to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to manage the redevelopment project.

Ron Basford, Member of Parliament for Central Vancouver at the time, played a key role in the island’s transformation. He envisioned the concept of a unique mixed-use space where industry, commerce, education and the arts could co-exist. Ron Basford Park on Granville Island is named in his honor today.

Formation of a cultural center

In October 1977, the City Council formally approved the redevelopment plan. The gradual transformation began with the opening of the Public Market in 1978, which later became the heart of the island. In 1980, the Vancouver School of Art moved to the Island, renamed Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

One of the keys to the success of this transformation was the gradual evolution of the space, rather than a complete rebuild with a high-profile opening. Buildings were not demolished, but restored and adapted to new functions while preserving the island’s industrial character.

“People were exploring an industrial landscape that was actively changing,” Atkin notes. “You were working with the existing fabric of the city.”

The island’s special legal status allowed the designers to create a space that broke many accepted rules of urban planning. For example, standard sidewalks and separation of traffic and pedestrian flows were not required there, creating a unique urban environment unlike anything else in the city.

Granville Island today

Today, Granville Island is a prime example of successful urban transformation, transforming an industrial area into one of Vancouver’s most popular and beloved public spaces. The island attracts millions of visitors each year, becoming Canada’s second most popular tourist attraction after Niagara Falls.

Public Market

Located in the center of the island is the famous Public Market, open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. The market is housed in six buildings that were once owned by companies that manufactured and sold equipment for the logging, mining and shipping industries.

Today, there are more than 50 independent food vendors offering fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, deli meats, baked goods and more. The market is a gastronomic center featuring local Canadian delicacies as well as cuisines from around the world.

Art studios and galleries

Granville Island has become home to many artists and artisans. Buildings that once housed industrial workshops are now home to art studios, galleries and workshops. Net Loft Shops and the Artisan District feature the work of some of Canada’s finest artists and designers.

Visitors can not only purchase unique works of art, but also observe the process of their creation, communicate with the authors and even take part in master classes.

Cultural venues and festivals

The island is home to several theaters, including the Arts Club Theatre Company and Waterfront Theatre, which regularly host plays and performances. Granville Island is also the setting for numerous cultural and performing arts festivals throughout the year.

Children’s market and entertainment for families

For families, the island has a dedicated Children’s Market, located in a former factory building over 100 years old. It houses over 25 stores offering toys, games, clothing and more for children. A children’s playground and water park are located next to the market.

Economic Significance

Today, Granville Island is an economically self-sufficient area with over 300 businesses providing jobs for over 3,000 people. It is a living example of a successful mix of commercial activity, culture and public space.

Significance to the city

The transformation of Granville Island was a turning point in Vancouver’s urban development history. The project marked a shift from an urban planning policy focused on automobiles and large-scale infrastructure projects to a more human-centered approach that takes into account the opinions and needs of residents.

“With Granville Island, you get a real sense of Vancouver finding itself without looking at other places,” notes historian John Atkin. “It’s part of that seismic shift in the 1970s that created the city we have today.”

Indigenous heritage

It’s important to note that the Granville Island area is the ancestral land of the indigenous Hen̓k̓emin̓em̓ and Squamish peoples, which include the Maskuim, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations. These lands have been under their administration since time immemorial.

In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Squamish people, recognizing their right to reclaim the territory of their traditional Senkw village near Granville Island. The land behind the former Molson Brewery and under the Burrard Street Bridge was returned to the people by CP Rail following an important court case.

The Future of Granville Island

With the move of Emily Carr University to a new campus, the island is entering a new phase of its development. Extensive discussions are underway on how to utilize the vacated space while maintaining the unique character of the island.

Granville Island continues to be a living example of how industrial heritage can be integrated into a modern urban environment, creating a space that respects the past but looks to the future.