Granville Street with a street festival

Share Your Thoughts on the Future of Downtown Granville Street

February 5 2025 –

The City of Vancouver is seeking input on proposed directions on the future of downtown Granville Street. 

From now until February 23, 2025, those who live, work and play in Vancouver are invited to share their thoughts on how downtown Granville Street will transform into a welcoming, vibrant and safer entertainment district, while preserving the unique history that makes the area special. 

In 2023, City Council voted in support of launching the Granville Street Planning Program to revitalize the area. The proposed directions being presented now reflect input from public engagement, as well as ongoing conversations with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, community organizations, equity-denied groups, service providers, local businesses and residents.

Proposed Directions

The proposed directions aim to diversify daytime and nighttime activities, create a safer and more inclusive environment, unlock new economic opportunities, increase hotel supply and foster a thriving arts and cultural scene. 

Key features of the proposed directions include:

  • Cultural investments to protect and support iconic venues like the Orpheum, Commodore Ballroom and the Vogue Theatre, while expanding cultural spaces through incentives.
  • Improve safety and well-being through ongoing collaboration with community partner organizations and the Vancouver Police Department, and implementing actions to enhance safety for everyone. This includes consideration for community-based street outreach teams focused on preventing and responding to gender-based violence.
  • Land-use and development in three sub-areas with increased height and density to encourage more mixed-used buildings with commercial, residential, hotel, and cultural space.
    • City Centre at Granville and Robson Streets would have taller buildings, with new mixed-use residential, commercial, hotel and cultural spaces, including a new central plaza for civic gatherings.
    • Entertainment Core from Smithe to Davie Street would be a dedicated arts and nightlife hub, featuring expanded live music venues, outdoor performances, rooftop patios and commercial buildings, including new hotels.
    • Bridgehead south of Davie Street would be a mix of residential, commercial and cultural spaces, connecting Granville Street to Yaletown and the areas around the Granville Bridge.
  • Create a destination public pace and pedestrianization of downtown Granville Street through a phased approach, starting with seasonal closures and leading to a year-round pedestrian zone for gathering and celebration. 
  • Transit improvements to enable pedestrian zone(s) on Granville Street, with investments to support reliable bus service on Howe and Seymour and improve pedestrian connections to the SkyTrain stations.  

Phased Implementation

Proposed directions would see the transformation of Granville Street rolled out over three phases:

  • In the short-term (0-5 years), the City would change zoning to encourage new developments and work with its partners to implement pedestrian zone pilots, early transit upgrades and safety and public space improvements. The City would gather input from the public to help inform the future design of Granville Street public spaces.
  • In the medium-term (6-10 years), the City would expand cultural spaces, make larger public realm investments, and support permanent transit improvements.
  • In the long-term (11-20 years), Granville Street would be fully pedestrianized with major redevelopment projects well underway and a fully built-out entertainment district. 

Get involved

Your feedback on the above proposals will help shape the final draft plan, which will be presented to Council for decision in June 2025. Share your thoughts on the proposed directions by:

  • Completing the survey at https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/granville-street-planning
  • Attending an open house or online information session
    • Friday, February 7 – Pacific Centre Mall, Robson and Granville entrance, 1:30 to 5:00 pm
    • Saturday, February 8 – Pacific Centre Mall, Robson and Granville entrance, noon to 3:00 pm
    • Thursday, February 20 – online, 6:30 to 7:30. Register here by Wednesday, February 19
  • Signing up for the mailing list through the website