Kitsilano

Neighbourhood Profile

ABOUT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Kitsilano has long been a sought-after neighbourhood due to its proximity to the beach (Kits Beach) and ocean-front, its proximity to some of the most expensive real estate neighbourhoods in the city (Point Grey, for example), and for offering one of the must upscale boutique shopping streets in the city (4th Avenue). Kits offers a balance of big, beautiful, new and heritage homes, with new and old condo buildings. This has created a very mixed community of young and older people, but all typically having an active, healthy, and productive lifestyle in common.

What is the neighbourhood known and appreciated for?

Kitsilano has long been a sought-after neighbourhood due to its proximity to the beach (Kits Beach) and ocean-front, its proximity to some of the most expensive real estate neighbourhoods in the city (Point Grey, for example), and for offering one of the must upscale boutique shopping streets in the city (4th Avenue). Kits offers a balance of big, beautiful, new and heritage homes, with new and old condo buildings. This has created a very mixed community of young and older people, but all typically having an active, healthy, and productive lifestyle in common.

What is the main type(s) of real estate?

The main types of real estate are larger (compared to East Vancouver) heritage/character homes, generally fully-renewed and renovated along with many new, high-end homes spanning from the waterfront along Point Grey Road back to W 16th where the Kitsilano neighbourhood ends. The other main types of real estate are condo buildings of all ages: 1970’s 4-storey builds closer to the beach all the way to brand-new developments, generally along the busier 4th Avenue and Broadway corridors.

What is the neighbourhood vibe?

The vibe in Kitsilano tends to be healthy, active, community-oriented, upscale, younger (UBC students who likely rent in the area, and professionals who may own in the area) and older (50’s, 60’s) but very active. Kitsilano is home to Lululemon’s first store, and the brand was inspired by the neighbourhood so there may be a notable ‘yoga culture’ vibe in the area.

What is the main downside?

The main downside for many buyers might be the prices in the area. Detached homes are expensive, as are the units in newer condo buildings, especially well-finished concrete developments. The more affordable condo options tend to be in older buildings that often have significant draw-backs such as a lack of in-suite laundry or where the building is in need of larger renewal projects. This being said, prices are reflective of the demand to live in the area, so the higher price points reflect the lifestyle that the Kitsilano neighbourhood offers to its residents.

What is the short and longer-term future of the area?

Kitsilano is essentially fully built-out. We will continue to see more of the same: new low-rise condo projects along 4th and Broadway, in the last few remaining empty or ‘tear-down’ lots. We will also continue to see renewal and renovation projects to existing older homes and condo buildings. And, we will continue to see old, small, single family houses being torn down and replaced with larger, brand-new houses. Unlike East Vancouver, Kitsilano does not seem as open to densification changes: the ability to build 2-3 dwelling units when replacing old, single family houses. This might be because many owners might prefer that their neighbourhood remains more upscale and therefore may prefer that the residential areas not become more dense with less expensive, smaller home options.

What are prices like?

Kitsilano tends to be one of the more expensive areas of the city, depending on property type. The entire north border of the area is along the waterfront. The west borders along Point Grey. The south borders along Dunbar, Arbutus, and Shaughnessy sub-areas, which are all expensive, detached home areas. Kitsilano also doesn’t have any towers, so the supply of homes isn’t high, yet the demand is high. For all of these reasons, prices are quite high and robust.

Kitsilano Buildings