Oakridge

Neighbourhood history and heritage

Although neighbouring Marpole and Kerrisdale experienced steady growth between 1908 and 1929, the community of Oakridge remained in its natural state until the early 1950s, when the CPR developed its land holdings for residential and commercial use.

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  History

  Development included the construction of single-family homes and the creation of Vancouver's first shopping center -Oakridge, built on a 32-acre plot of land at 41st and Cambie.

  During the 1960s, construction continued and a large number of young families moved into the community. Schools and hospitals were built to meet the increasing demand, and facilities such as the Jewish Community Centre and the Home for the Aged were built to serve the growing community.

  Did you know?

  • After WWII, the city's Jewish community moved from Strathcona and began to settle along Oak Street. The Jewish Community Centre was built at the corner of 41st and Oak and the blocks to the west soon became Vancouver's Jewish neighbourhood.
  • The 1959 Oakridge Shopping Centre was the first shopping centre built in Vancouver.
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  Heritage

  Oakridge is a young community, compared with most of the rest of Vancouver. One of the area's predominant architectural forms, the classic bungalow, may not classify as heritage, however it is noteworthy and may be considered a heritage structure sometime in the future. The bungalows are characteristic of the type of dwellings built during the post WWII boom.

  Oak Street has a number of interesting churches built along its length, including the unusual Unity Church at 5840 Oak and the Unitarian Church at 49th Avenue, both built in 1964.

  See detailed information on the city's heritage and a complete list of heritage buildings.

  Additional information is available through the City of Vancouver Archives.