Published: February 14, 2018
With the City of Vancouver having just unveiled temporary modular housing in South Vancouver, Marpole continues to make headlines.
One of the city’s oldest boroughs, Marpole might still be perceived as an area with single-family homes on large lots with manicured lawns. But as the new project to bring some of the city’s most vulnerable residents indoors shows, the riverfront community around the foot of Granville, Oak, and Cambie streets is evolving.
Improving the availability of social and supportive housing for those in need was just one of the priorities the city outlined in its 2014 Marpole Community Plan. So was boosting affordable housing for families with children.
Higher densities and a mix of uses close to transit, notably the Canada Line, are inevitable in Marpole. The community is home to many young families. The community plan requires that new multi-unit developments (except for seniors and supportive housing) have two- and three-bedroom units for families as both market and social housing. The area’s amenities and well-regarded schools are among the reasons it appeals to families.
Sir Winston Churchill Secondary, for instance, is known for its International Baccalaureate and French-immersion programs. The Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre, which opened in 1949 as the city’s first, is in the process of being rebuilt, with a stunning light-filled new design by Patkau Architects. Marpole Oakridge Family Place, meanwhile, promotes the health and well-being of parents, caregivers, and kids. The nearby, mixed-use Marine Gateway on the Canada Line, with shops, restaurants, and a movie theatre, is another draw.
Then there is the growth of the neighbourhood’s diverse food scene. Besides several sushi, pho, and noodle spots, the area is home to J Crepe (which shares a space with Yoshida Shoten and Ramen Raijin Express), Ipoh Beansprout Malaysian Café, Applause Japanese Restaurant, and many others.