Vancouver Neighbourhood Spotlight: Olympic Village
It’s been a long stretch between blog posts, but we’re back on the blog with some very exciting news, to be announced in the next few weeks! In anticipation of the big changes going on at Rent It Furnished, we’re featuring a few of Vancouver’s newest up-and-coming neighbourhoods that showcase the vibrant and ever-growing communities within Vancouver.
This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Olympic Village, a newly-developed waterfront neighbourhood that sits on the southeast edge of False Creek near Science World. Initially plagued by funding and pricing controversies, Olympic Village has quickly become one of the most desirable locations to live outside of the downtown core. Construction on the site began in February and completed in November 2009, when it turned over to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for use during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. During the games, it accommodated more than 2,800 athletes, coaches, and officials. In April 2010 it was handed back to the city, where it rapidly developed the village to include residential housing, a community centre, a daycare and several retail units.
Olympic Village has aligned its goals with the city in terms of sustainability and affordable housing. All buildings in Olympic Village are LEED Gold certified, which implement the use of green roofs, urban agriculture in open spaces and plaza areas, and a water-use reduction strategy that harvests rainwater. The village contains approximately 1,100 housing units, with 252 affordable housing units a goal of 5,500 residential units by 2020. Creekside Community Centre is a recreational facility that offers over 90 programs, a dance studio, and a boating centre.
With its scenic views of downtown Vancouver, False Creek and Science World, the neighbourhood is a favourite among visitors and locals due its array of restaurants, breweries and waterfront activities. Beers on the Tap and Barrel patio with a visit to the popular Earnest Ice Cream is an easy sell on a hot summer day, followed by a stroll along the seawall to watch the yachts, paddleboarders and kayakers go by. The annual Dragon Boat Festival takes place every August, featuring over 200 dragon boat teams from across the Lower Mainland and around the world. Food Cart Festival is also a summer favourite, featuring local food carts around the city gathered near the Village. With its access to the seawall, Canada Line station, and Aquabus, Olympic Village is transit and bike friendly, keeping in line with the community’s vision of sustainable living. The neighbourhood has become a go-to destination for residents of many of Vancouver’s other neighbourhoods, an indicator of a thriving and flourishing community.
Take a look of some of the stunning Olympic Village properties featured on Rent It Furnished:
Spectacular 2 Bed with Den and Amazing City Views at 77 Walter Hardwick Avenue
Classy 1 Bed Suite with Upscale Decor and Private Entrance at 1618 Columbia Street
Beautiful 1 Bed with Hardwood Floors and Balcony at 1708 Columbia Street
Want to call one of these Olympic Village condos your next Vancouver home? Shoot us an email or call us at (604) 628-3457 to let us help you find that perfect rental!