Granville Mall Entertainment District

The city has just approved a $20-million cosmetic lift on the old avenue to try and invigorate tourist activity. The big plans include new street furniture, a walk of fame and new pavement.

The redesign scheme was created by American street designer Allan Jacobs; author of two books, graduate of Harvard, and professor at Berkeley. The design features what Allan calls “flex boulevards;” a straightened out version of the current looping sidewalks that serve as both car parking and pedestrian walkways. Leave it to a true professional to mediate a forty year debate.

Let’s cross our fingers and hope they spend it well.
The more recent decision to stuff all the eateries and bars into a three block radius on Granville, called the Granville Entertainment Zone, also fueled the fire. Cars or no cars? To be or not to be? Jacob’s came up with a third option: both.

There is already talk amongst artists of how to best liven up the new square. Some are talking about live art shows within; others would like to see live music. With a $20-million budget, whatever they decide will happen.

Granville Street by Day provides access to The Bay and Sears department stores, Pacific Centre shopping mall, Robson Street shops and restaurants, as well as many unique stores all along Granville. Clothing and shoes stores sit beside book stores, accessory specialty shops, computer and electronic stores, discount music shops, as well as two large movie theatres, countless coffee shops and restaurants of all types and tastes!