
Granville
Island is a small peninsula connected to downtown Vancouver
via the Granville Street Bridge. Once an industrial area with sawmills and steel factories, it is nowa popular area boasting a large public market as well as many galleries and shops.
The area had been used
for heavy industry since 1917 and became a ship building
center during the Second World
War. Since the sixties, the terrain was hardly used,
and the site was totally run-down.
A couple of business-men started to redevelop the area
in the beginnings of the 70s and with the help of the
federal government, they tuned into a multi-use facility,
including industry, commerce and entertainment.

Most
of the renovation of the industrial buildings was finished
at the end of the 70s; the area is now a nice place
to walk through.
The whole island includes several theaters,
a huge market place, numerous galleries and shops. It
also contains a 'Kids only Market', with many shops
geared towards the younger.
Other attractions you find
on the island is an indoor play station and a Water
Park with movable water cannons. You can also get a
tour in the Granville Island Brewery, a well-known cottage
brewer. But the best way to get the feel of Granville
Island is to stroll through its renovated streets.