South Marine, Vancouver Eastside | Neighbourhood Profile

Just 25 minutes to downtown and yet world’s away along the Fraser River.

Includes a new master planned community on Vancouver’s southern shores.

The South Marine neighbourhood of Vancouver is an affordable mix of all new residences and shopping with longer established areas located in the heart of the Lower Mainland. Whether a stroll along the Fraser River, a yoga class at the River District Community Centre or a post-war stucco bungalow awaiting discovery, the growing South Marine neighbourhood sees a repurposing of the some of the most attractive Vancouver real estate. In addition, in South Marine you’re only a 25 minutes drive to downtown Vancouver, 10 minutes to Richmond & Burnaby and 15 minutes to YVR.

Schools

For families living in the South Marine neighbourhood and the exciting new River District, nearby schools on the north side of Marine Drive include David Oppenheimer, Captain James Cook and Sir James Douglas Elementary with grades K to 7. Sir James Douglas Annex offers pre-school to Grade 3. Champlain Heights Elementary in the catchment area is designed by Arthur Erickson, one of Canada’s foremost architects. Day Care centres close by include Good Shepherd & Jasper Crescent in the Fraserview neighbourhood. David Thompson Secondary with grades 8 to 12 is nearby on 55th Avenue in South Van.

Location

The newly minted South Marine neighbourhood home to the River District is one of the widest in the city, situated along the banks of the Fraser River. It’s located with Ontario Street to the west, South East Marine Drive to the north, Boundary Road to the east and the banks of the mighty Fraser serving as South Marine’s southern boundary.

Residential Housing

In the central portion of South Marine along East Kent Avenue, buyers will find a good selection of ‘80s and ‘90s built townhome and condominiums – all representing competitive value when compared to downtown, False Creek or the west side. A small selection of single family homes built in the ‘50s & ‘60s can also be found in the East Kent Avenue area. With so much interest in the all new River District located on the east side of South Marine, this master planned community is 130 acres in size and three times the size of Granville Island. Think Coal Harbour or Yaletown, but much bigger. Soon over 15,000 residents will call the River District home with an ever expanding choice of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom condominiums & townhomes. There’s also some 4-bedroom suites, bi-level townhomes and lock-off units that covert from a 3-bedroom to 2-bedroom with a nanny suite or a mortgage helper. The new River District buildings are designed to LEED Gold standards using less water, energy, electricity & materials. River District Vancouver has its own thermal energy utility – via hot water – for maximum efficiency.

Recreation

South Marine residents can bike, stroll or run along 1.5 km of waterfront paths connected to a continuous 5 km Fraser River pathway extending into Vancouver and Burnaby. Riverfront Park features a picnic site, basketball courts, ultimate field and public washrooms. The new River District Community Centre has a cardio centre, yoga classes and drop-ins for kids and seniors. River District Vancouver celebrates Chinese New Year with lion dances and other fun activities in both the Town Centre and at the River District Community Centre. There’s a River District Farmers Market twice monthly too.

Restaurants

River District residents can enjoy lunch, dinner or weekend brunch at Romer’s Burger Bar. Sushi Mura offers popular Japanese fare. For your morning cup of joe, there’s a Starbucks south of Marine Way. Hidden away is a local gem called the Northern Cafe on East Kent Avenue – a long-standing diner in the neighbourhood. The White Spot on South East Marine Drive is ideal for family dining or a real fifties drive-in experience.

Shopping

Exciting new retail in the new River District includes Everything Wine – BC’s largest wine stores and a Save-On-Foods. Further west on South East Marine you’ll find a Real Canadian Superstore, Canadian Tire, Best Buy & Winners. Just minutes away travelling east on Marine Way is one of metro Vancouver’s largest outdoor shopping destinations with Marine Way Market & Market Crossing Shopping Plaza.

Transportation

All of the South Marine neighbourhood is Vancouver in centrally located as it’s right in the heart of the Lower Mainland. South East Marine Drive and Marine Way are just 10 minutes by car to Richmond or Burnaby and only 15 minutes to YVR Airport. Heading south, the Knight Street Bridge quickly connects to Highway 99 south or to the East/West Connector. For commuters, bus service along Marine Drive is frequent to the Canada Line Marine Drive Station at Cambie with connections to downtown, Richmond or YVR.