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Gastown, Vancouver, Canada, 2010[open in full screen]  

 
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Gastown was Vancouver's first downtown core and is named after "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a Yorkshire seaman, steamboat captain and barkeep who arrived in 1867 to open the area's first saloon. It was centre of the city's drinking life for a long time (there were 300 licensed establishments in the twelve-block area of the former Granville. After the Depression Gastown was a largely forgotten neighbourhood and fell into decline and disrepair.

  Today, declared by the government in 1971 as a historical site, it is mix of contemporary fashion and interior boutiques, tourist-oriented businesses, restaurants and nightclubs.

In addition, there are law firms, architects and other professional offices, as well as computer and internet businesses, indigenous art galleries, music and art studios, and acting and film schools.

  Gastown's most famous landmark (photo bellow right) is the steam-powered clock. Built in 1870 to cover a steam grate, part of Vancouver's distributed steam-heating system, the clock was built as a way to harness the steam and to prevent street people from sleeping on the spot in cold weather. It is still fully functional. Strictly speaking this is not a square but being in the pedestrianized are of the town and being very social it deserves a spot here.

Next Empress Court, Victoria

 
           
   
more about
evaluation method
more about
types of squares
sociability
8
ceremonial
x
uses & activities
8
religious
x
access & linkages
9
social
x
comfort
8
residential
x
image
8
courtyard
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tourist value
9
with park
x
total
50
street, shopping
x
 
         
     
           
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Last time updated on December 4, 2020 16:52