Vancouver’s beloved Gastown district is about to undergo its most significant transformation in decades. The City of Vancouver is set to approve an ambitious public spaces plan that will reshape how locals and visitors experience this historic neighbourhood, starting with a $25-million overhaul of the iconic Maple Tree Square.
If you’re planning a visit to Vancouver or have Gastown on your itinerary, there’s exciting news on the horizon. The city is moving forward with a comprehensive plan to transform the cobblestoned streets of this National Historic Site into more pedestrian-friendly spaces designed for both everyday enjoyment and special events.
What’s Changing in Gastown?
Vancouver City Council is expected to approve the Gastown Public Spaces Plan this week, marking the culmination of a planning process that began in 2023. The initiative comes after two summer seasons of car-free pilot projects on Water Street that tested how the neighbourhood functions without vehicle traffic.
The centrepiece of the transformation is Maple Tree Square, which will receive a $25-million renovation. This historic gathering place—where the city essentially began—will be reimagined as a destination that better reflects its significance whilst accommodating modern needs for events, pedestrian flow, and public gatherings.
Did you know? Maple Tree Square sits at the intersection of Water, Carrall, and Powell Streets, and is considered Vancouver’s birthplace. The square is named after a maple tree that stood there when the city was founded in the 1880s.
The Road to Pedestrianisation
The path to this transformation hasn’t been without controversy. During the car-free trials on Water Street, some businesses reported significant challenges, highlighting the delicate balance between preserving vehicle access and creating more walkable urban spaces. The city has also made interim repairs to the street’s dilapidated brick pavers—those charming but notoriously uneven cobblestones that give the area its character but can be treacherous in heels or for those with mobility challenges.
Additionally, West Cordova Street has been converted from one-way eastbound traffic to two-way, a change that’s been part of the testing process to understand how traffic patterns might shift as Gastown evolves.