Is Fraser really the new Main? The transformation of Mount Pleasant
Anybody who knows me a bit, knows that I love my neighbourhood (Mount Pleasant). I’ve extensively written about it, both on my blog and as a guest blogger on Rebecca’s when she has kindly invited me to contribute some stuff on her Vancouver History series. During my time living here (I used to be a Point Grey/Kitsilano boy in my earlier years) I have learned not only to love but also to try and learn about the historical development of my East Vancouver neighbourhood.
I remember a couple of years back, reading an article in The Georgia Straight about how Fraser is quickly becoming the new Main (quoted in this article in Mountain View).
Fraser Street is considered one of the main North-South corridors (although once you reach Broadway, you really can’t go North anymore). When I first moved to the Mount Pleasant area, I noticed a bit of a divide between Main (which, some people tell me, about 10-20 years was plagued with prostitution, drug dealing, etc) and Fraser. Both streets are parallel but despite being only divided by 6 blocks, you could tell the difference in the flavor of the neighbourhood. Fraser still does (at some point) feel somewhat sketchy. But I have not feel in danger, myself, whenever I walk around at night.
Heck, this difference was even showcased in the movie Mount Pleasant (excellent Canadian/Vancouver-based movie, you should watch it). Nevertheless, recent developments have begun a gentrification process between Kingsway and King Edward. Whether this is positive or negative, we’ll see.
People who diss the areas around Broadway and Fraser (which had in the past, admittedly, been dangerous - and maybe it still continues to be) and Kingsway and Fraser (which may also be perceived as somewhat sketchy) do forget that some of Vancouver’s great restaurants are located there. The Red Sea Cafe (best Ethiopian food in town) is near Fraser and Broadway, as is Fassil (probably second best Ethiopian food in town) and Seb’s Market Cafe (great brunch).
The addition of “Les Faux Burgeois” (a new upscale, French restaurant, although not nearly as pricey as other French restaurants in Vancouver) to the 15th and Fraser area (almost next door to The Lion’s Den) is also a signal of this transformative process. At any rate, while I am glad to see a transformation of the neighbourhood (Mount Pleasant), I am slightly worried about it losing its character. I hope it doesn’t.
And for those of you who didn’t know … there is a world beyond Cambie, you know? (this comment comes from a line in the movie Mount Pleasant, and something some of my former undergraduate students told me “I never go as far east as Cambie!“)
[SIDE NOTE -I always find it interesting when I search for content online that refers to the topic I'm discussing and I find forums where commentators are so passionate. Just look at the discussions on whether Fraser is the new Main on this forum. Interesting...]
My mom lived at Fraser/25th for 18 years so I’d have to take the bus through Fraser/Broadway for many years.
Pretty scary at the time, but loads of character.
I find when an area gets gentrified, much of the character can leave, which is kind of sad.
I find Fraser/Broadway to be pretty sketchy, but it’s fine by the time you get to Fraser/Kingsway or Fraser/King Ed. I have a lot of friends that live in that area, since I went to high school at Tupper. Some of the best Vietnamese cafes/restaurants are along that Kingsway corridor.
I think in 10 years, Fraser Street will become the new Main Street. It’s inevitable as house prices continue to climb. Also of note, the main bustling area of Fraser is centred around Fraser and 49th. This has been designated by the COV to become a neighbourhood centre in the not to distant future.
The neighbourhood is also quite mixed. It was mainly East Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese. Now there are more Latinos, Filipinos, Japanese, Korean, and Caucasians in the area. My parent live by there and they can attest to the level of sketchiness going down for the past few years.
I feel with all the gentrification in Mount Pleasant the city has done a remarkable job retaining the feel of the neighbourhood. Just look at the developments such as 1 Kingsway, Main and 12th, Main and 26th etc… sure some of the developments are a bit off, but overall I do feel they retain the neighbourhoods character. Fraser will be the same, although Mountain View and Sunset have less character than Mount Pleasant.
Great post
Main and 12th - Those are the hippest condos in town. I remember when they were proving how hip they were pictures of the neighbourhood skateshop - you know the one? That’s been there for years and has to move now that rents are too high? Yeah, that one.
Then there’s a nice starbucks right across the street. And there’s another starbucks just down there on 14th isn’t there? Yeah, that’s some pretty awesome character that that area has kept.
Robb, you are right screw Starbucks, who are they to employ thousands of baristas in this city. Of course we all know how many more would be employed by small business, you know the one in which the owner is usually the only employee as well.
The condos on Main and 12th are nice and fit in well with the ‘hood. The rent increases are due to market conditions. Now you’ll see them decline in the coming years and well maybe we’ll see locals move in again.
Main street is full of small business shops so please keep your hipster commentary to a minimum.
[...] a movie set in my neighbourhood… which I’ve found out from this excellent blog post, Is Fraser Really the New Main? The Transformation of Mount Pleasant. IS [...]
i love my neighbourhood too!
the red sea cafe is divine.
features you didn’t mention:
-new, amazing secret vegan cafe in an apartment
-great fresh fruit bubble tea right near fraser & kingsway!
-best $3 vietnamese tofu subs at the shop beside subway on broadway, west of fraser.
I live at Fraser and 32nd and I am eagerly await Fraser’s transformation into the new Main, because it’s otherwise a tad isolated up here. It would be nice to have, say, a corner store within reasonable walking distance and the like. This place has tons of potential … but after a decade West of Denman, this was a bit of a culture shock!
Interesting post. Fraser is largely residential, but I’d be happy to see higher density. I live near Kingsway + Fraser and wish there were more people on the sidewalks. Even Main St is lively during the day, but too sleepy at night. I love my neighbourhood, but would love lots of new neighbours, and they can buy coffee anywhere they like as far as I’m concerned. Even Tims!