[North Vancouver] Lower Lonsdale | Rebirth of a Neighbourhood

[trofirhen]

Although time waits for no one, I hope, as do several others on this page, that Lower Lonsdale will not morph into a land of super high-rises that block the exhilharating view walking down Lonsdale Hill on a sunny day, or become a yuppie haven, like Kits.

Once known as "Moodyville," this neighbourhood, despite the development right around Lonsdale Quay, still retains its original authenticity and lack of new-rich pretension.

Some of the old shipbuilding sites could be converted into markets or artists's ateliers, or, if accomodation is a top issue, converted from the inside out into apartments or condominiums, while leaving the original wooden exteriors intact.

This is a neighbourhood unlike many in the city that still has its soul, without having fallen totally into a state of decrepitude and danger. So sure, clean it up, spruce it up, but don't tear its soul out in the process.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Pinion

I went to Boston Pizza on Esplanade Saturday night and I'm happy to report it was full of customers. Pretty standard fare for its type, nice view of the city and a great balcony for the summer.

$60 for two people (no booze) seemed a bit pricey though...

I musy say, BC Boston Pizza is much better than Alberta Boston Pizza.

That is a bit pricey for Boston Pizza, though... you could go to The Italian Kitchen for the same.

[red-paladin]

At least ethnic diversification is finally taking place on the North Shore.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

At least ethnic diversification is finally taking place on the North Shore.

Central Lonsdale has been Little Persia for nearly 20 years, and the upper slopes of Delbrook and Canyon Heights have been very German in character ever since the war. Before that, it was the ususal Scots-English base, with a swack of Scandinavians thrown in. The North Shore is very multi-ethnic, but it remains low-key about it, which is perhaps why it's less noticeable than in other parts of the city.

West Vancouver remains more "WASP" with numerous German and Scandinavian families, and some wealthy immigrant from HK and Taiwan, plus a smattering of of just about everything else, as is characteristic of all of the city.

[red-paladin]

I know what you mean, i was just trying to find a polite was to express that I tire of meeting many old white conservative people when I go there, my relatives included. I really can't stand to have any more conversations when I have to defend the concept of immigration to Canada by non-white people.

But of course, only a few people are like that. I don't mean to be a forum troll!

[BCPhil]

Haha, I thought you were being sarcastic (and was pretty funny) talking about Boston Pizza as bringing ethnic food to North Vancouver.

[Pinion]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

At least ethnic diversification is finally taking place on the North Shore.

This is pretty insulting. People born in Canada have just as much right to live amongst each other as any other ethnic group. As one of them, there are many areas of the lower mainland that I would no longer consider living in because the culture has been altered so drastically by new majority groups with totally different customs.

Wiping out one of the last Canadian-born communities in Vancouver should not be a goal of anyone.

[ozonemania]

Originally Posted by Pinion

Wiping out one of the last Canadian-born communities in Vancouver should not be a goal of anyone.

Ehhh, by 'Canadian-born communities' I am inferring that you are talking about white people. Or maybe you're talking about North Shore's Indian Reservations?

There are many, many non-white 'Canadian-borns' out there that have lived in Vancouver for generations. The reason the North Shore has historically been non-ethnic is no accident. North Shore systematically discriminated against 'ethnics' by not letting them settle there or buy property. Chinese, Japanese, South Asians were only allowed to live in designated ghettos (let's not forget about the reservations). Sounds like social engineering to me.

Now that I find insulting.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Although time waits for no one, I hope, as do several others on this page, that Lower Lonsdale will not morph into a land of super high-rises that block the exhilharating view walking down Lonsdale Hill on a sunny day, or become a yuppie haven, like Kits.

Once known as "Moodyville," this neighbourhood, despite the development right around Lonsdale Quay, still retains its original authenticity and lack of new-rich pretension.

Some of the old shipbuilding sites could be converted into markets or artists's ateliers, or, if accomodation is a top issue, converted from the inside out into apartments or condominiums, while leaving the original wooden exteriors intact.

This is a neighbourhood unlike many in the city that still has its soul, without having fallen totally into a state of decrepitude and danger. So sure, clean it up, spruce it up, but don't tear its soul out in the process.

I don't see that it's soul is being torn out. Quite frankly there's much room for improvement. I'm sure the area will make do with a few less hair salons, nail spas and thrift stores. I have noticed more litter and dog muck on the sidewalks than i ever noticed in kits. As for kits being a 'yuppie' stronghold, I lived there and didn't find that at all. Most of the place is made up of very tired low-rise rental units. West 4 th is a lot nicer to walk down though than lower lonsdale.

Looking at the price of condos on the waterfront, which are not that much cheaper than downtown, It seems that transformation is inevitable. What that transformation will be, remains to be seen.

[vanman]

Originally Posted by Pinion

This is pretty insulting. People born in Canada have just as much right to live amongst each other as any other ethnic group. As one of them, there are many areas of the lower mainland that I would no longer consider living in because the culture has been altered so drastically by new majority groups with totally different customs.

Wiping out one of the last Canadian-born communities in Vancouver should not be a goal of anyone.

Uh, unless you're Aboriginal we are all immigrants. And there are plenty of Chinese, East Indian, and even Africans that have been born in Canada for many generations. They are all just as Canadian as anyone else born here.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by delboy

I don't see that it's soul is being torn out. Quite frankly there's much room for improvement. I'm sure the area will make do with a few less hair salons, nail spas and thrift stores. I have noticed more litter and dog muck on the sidewalks than i ever noticed in kits. As for kits being a 'yuppie' stronghold, I lived there and didn't find that at all. Most of the place is made up of very tired low-rise rental units. West 4 th is a lot nicer to walk down though than lower lonsdale.

Looking at the price of condos on the waterfront, which are not that much cheaper than downtown, It seems that transformation is inevitable. What that transformation will be, remains to be seen.

You make some very good points - and I know what you mean about the excess of hair salons and nail spas ! ! !

In fact, one of the things I love most about Lonsdale is the view over the harbour when walking down the hill.

It would kill me if it were blocked by that proposed high-rise to placed right on the angle of the avenue.

I hope they keep the area immediately adjacent to Lonsdale as a view corridor. It's fantastic for that, especially when emerging from Victoria Park.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

Haha, I thought you were being sarcastic (and was pretty funny) talking about Boston Pizza as bringing ethnic food to North Vancouver.

Originally Posted by Pinion

This is pretty insulting. People born in Canada have just as much right to live amongst each other as any other ethnic group. As one of them, there are many areas of the lower mainland that I would no longer consider living in because the culture has been altered so drastically by new majority groups with totally different customs.

Wiping out one of the last Canadian-born communities in Vancouver should not be a goal of anyone.

Originally Posted by ozonemania

Ehhh, by 'Canadian-born communities' I am inferring that you are talking about white people. Or maybe you're talking about North Shore's Indian Reservations?

There are many, many non-white 'Canadian-borns' out there that have lived in Vancouver for generations. The reason the North Shore has historically been non-ethnic is no accident. North Shore systematically discriminated against 'ethnics' by not letting them settle there or buy property. Chinese, Japanese, South Asians were only allowed to live in designated ghettos (let's not forget about the reservations). Sounds like social engineering to me.

Now that I find insulting.

Excuse me, but I think we're all taking this a little too seriously. I think what was meant by the North Shore finally becoming more "multicultural" was that it is less of a bastion of conservative "WASPhood" than before. But I grew up there, and even in a "veddy" English district, we had Japanese kids, Chinese kids, a girl from Jamaica, kids from all over Europe, from Sweden to Hungary to Italy, added to the traditional Scots-English base. And we had Native Canadians, too. And I'm just talking about my elementary school; high-school was more diverse.

I don't think anyone here meant any offense, and I think we're all too mature not to rise above it. Whatever our background or creed, whether immigrant or third-generation, we're all Canadian, and we know it, so please let's not get into a racial / ethnic slinging match.

Peace and goodwill to all.

[Rusty Gull]

^ I agree that Lower Lonsdale has more soul than Kits.

But I also agree that it's due for a serious clean-up. It also needs more greenspace. The City of North Vancouver has really dropped the ball in this regard.

[delboy]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

You make some very good points - and I know what you mean about the excess of hair salons and nail spas ! ! !

In fact, one of the things I love most about Lonsdale is the view over the harbour when walking down the hill.

It would kill me if it were blocked by that proposed high-rise to placed right on the angle of the avenue.

I hope they keep the area immediately adjacent to Lonsdale as a view corridor. It's fantastic for that, especially when emerging from Victoria Park.

Yes I agree, that's why I moved here, for the views. Just think the area needs a bit of spit and polish.

[Rusty Gull]

Unfortunately, one of the factors that would have kick-started some fresh developments and the "spit and polish" was the third Seabus. I believe that represented a major transportation breakthrough, as it would have made Lower Lonsdale one of the most convenient neighbourhoods to live in for those working or playing downtown. Now that plan is dead, and we're back at sailings ever 15 minutes during the peak, and 30 minutes nights and weekends.

The area is blessed with some of the finest geography in the region, but as long as North Van planners are asleep at the wheel, I think it will be more of the same old, same old.

[Pinion]

edit: double post

[Pinion]

Originally Posted by Rusty Gull

Unfortunately, one of the factors that would have kick-started some fresh developments and the "spit and polish" was the third Seabus. I believe that represented a major transportation breakthrough, as it would have made Lower Lonsdale one of the most convenient neighbourhoods to live in for those working or playing downtown. Now that plan is dead, and we're back at sailings ever 15 minutes during the peak, and 30 minutes nights and weekends.

Agreed. Any time I think about the 3rd seabus cancellation it makes me mad. All my coworkers leave their house after I do to get to work and I live the closest geographically by a considerable margin.

My fiancee and I are seriously looking at buying a car again. We sold our old one and moved close to the city so we could take public transit but it's just too much of a hassle.

I won't derail the thread with the racism can of worms any more except to say I said "Canadian-born" instead of white for a reason. My fiancee is Canadian born but not white - we share the same culture. My bible-thumping cousins from the Okanagan are Canadian born and white - we do not share the same culture. It's not about race, it's about people of the same culture wanting to live together. We all deserve that choice and should not be ashamed for wanting it.

[Pinion]

NorthVancouverPolitics.com is saying CNV is finally looking at developing the park-by-default plot in the 100 block of east 1st.

About time. It looks like crap, is unusable (besides for dogs to poop in), and is prime land. I'd love to live there. Just far enough away from the noise of the major streets.

There'll be below market units too apparently.

[Pinion]

There's an info board up in front of the old farts home on 3rd and St Georges saying they want to build two new five storey market value condos there. That should really help what is an ugly stretch of road (and continue Lower Lonsdale's transition into a young happenin' hip cat's neighbourhood. I am not one of said hip cats).

Also the lot north of Esplanade theatre is finally going to be developed too. Was a crappy restaurant a long, long time ago but a gravel pit for about a decade.

[jozero]

[ Sorry for the cross post (I accidently posted this in Pier thread). ]

Is any one else going slowly insane by the shrill birds that have taken up residence in lower lonsdale ? Between 1st and 3rd, Lonsdale and Chesterfield at least two birds do a mating call or whatever it is every 10 seconds at least 20 hours of the day. Usually starts 4am.

PS. I'm not exaggerating about the 10 seconds. I've timed it, it is clock work.