Renfrew, Vancouver Eastside | Neighbourhood Profile

Referred to by En Route magazine as one of “Canada’s next great neighbourhoods”, Vancouver Renfrew is a large multicultural middle-class-mix in East Van, featuring revitalized retail, major transit lines and good schools. You’ll find large numbers of Cantonese, Vietnamese and Italian speakers in Renfrew, especially along Hastings Street where the East Village attracts shoppers from across the city.

Schools

With more families in the city of Vancouver choosing to head east, the Renfrew neighbourhood has a total of six elementary schools as part of the Vancouver School Board and two private schools. Vancouver Technical Secondary School on Broadway, often called Van Tech, is the local secondary school with grades from 8 to 12 and is recognized for its French Immersion program.

Location

One of the largest neighbourhoods in Vancouver proper, Renfrew is located between Hastings Street to the north, East Broadway to the south, Nanaimo Street to the west and Boundary Road to the east.

Housing

Historical and happening, Renfrew has always drawn keen interest from Vancouverites. Beginning in the mid-1980s with the arrival of Skytrain rapid transit, increased development in the Renfrew/Collingwood area of the East Van has drawn families from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds to the neighbourhood’s affordable homes, townhouses and apartment complexes. Renfrew offers great street appeal with big trees, kids’ playing outside and many homes set back from the sidewalk.

Recreation

Locals take advantage of the Hastings and Thunderbird community centres located
right in the neighbourhood. Facilities include a gymnasium, fitness centres, computer labs, racquetball court, family drop-in centre, childcare and playgrounds. Rupert Park in Renfrew is an attractive open East Van green space that offers dog walking trails, childrens’ play and picnic areas. The Rupert Pitch ‘N’ Putt only adds to the park’s appeal. The Central Valley Greenway is a 24 km route for cycling, jogging, walking, wheelchairs, skateboarding and blading.

Shopping & Restaurants

Formerly Hastings Sunrise, the rebranded shopping and restaurants destination is now known as the ‘East Village’ – a vintage urban neighborhood with a progressive attitude. Growing in popularity, the East Village includes one-of-a-kind establishments such as Campagnolo Roma, Di Oliva Tasting Bar and Jackolope’s Neighbourhood Dive. Be it an authentic espresso, a fresh bunch of Bok choy or authentic Italian boccaccini, you’ll find it and more in the East Village along East Hastings Street. A new popular pastime is the East Village Brewery & Distillery Tour with six participating breweries all located in the neighbourhood.

Transportation

The Renfrew neighbourhood in East Vancouver boasts plenty of public transit with easy access to both the Renfrew and Rupert Millenium Skytrain stations. The Grandview Highway links directly to Highway #1 with new improved highway travel to Surrey and the Fraser Valley.