Most of the impressive structures which gave Mount Pleasant its character and historic charm date from a period of commercial and industrial prosperity experienced between 1897 and 1915. It was during this time that the ornate Beaux Arts post office, (now Heritage Hall), the Lee Building at Broadway and Main, and numerous churches and banks were constructed.

The Main Street bridge over False Creek, the introduction of the Fairview Streetcar Service in 1891, and the original tail linking Vancouver to New Westminster along what is now Kingsway, were considered the primary catalysts for growth. The area’s industrial activity was due to the proximity of False Creek and the availability of fresh water from Brewery Creek. Housing was built around the creek to accommodate the workers who settled in the area. By 1888, when the area was named Mount Pleasant, it was already Vancouver’s largest suburb.

The economic growth of the early 1900’s accelerated the expansion of industry from False Creek into Mount Pleasant’s residential area. After 1945, many of the remaining homes were either divided into rooming houses or demolished for apartment development. The commercial boom envisioned by early pioneers never materialized; however, the local community has remained well served by a variety of businesses.

Over the past decade, there have been many efforts to preserve this community’s heritage. Numerous homes along West Tenth Avenue and adjacent streets have been restored through public initiatives of private owners.

Public funds from the Heritage Area Revitalization Program have helped to restore local landmarks, such as the Lee Building, and other historic structures. As a result, the historic character of residential and commercial areas has been enhanced, while promoting economically viable developments. It was also in Mount Pleasant that one of Vancouver’s first Business Improvement Areas was created in 1989 – to promote the community’s economic revitalization and preserve its heritage resources. The area boasts one of the lowest commercial vacancy rates in the City.

The Cosmopolitan Mount Pleasant
In its early years of growth, Mount Pleasant attracted a variety of immigrants, as reflected in the variety of churches and specialty shops. Today, Mount Pleasant remains an ethnically diverse community. Goods and services offered by local merchants include both daily needs items and specialty items such as antiques and collectibles, vintage clothing and jewellry.

In terms of dining, there are numerous restaurants in Mount Pleasant’s UpTown offering: Canadian bistro fare, East Indian, Japanese, Korean, South-east Asia Fusion, Thai, Vietnamese, Vegetarian and gourmet deli foods; a dozen restaurants specializing in Chinese Food including Noodle houses, Cantonese and Szechwan. For the sweet tooth, there is a selection of bakeries, gelato and dessert displays in cafe bistros. Old fashioned diners and coffee shops still abound with “all-day breakfasts” a feature. Java-joints bring gourmet(organic) coffee concoctions, bagels and scones to the local and business community. These are great places to meet.

Mount Pleasant’s heritage character has survived over the years because the focus of recent development activity has occurred west of Cambie Street. Mount Pleasant has become the location of choice for Vancouver’s artistic community, and is home to many social and community organizations. Artist and Crafter live/work studios and lofts have proliferated over the past five years. Up-scale condos on Main and Kingsway add to the diverse population.

There has also been a renaissance of business and cultural activities in Mount Pleasant. The internationally-acclaimed Goh Ballet is located in the heart of UpTown and stage productions occur regularly at Heritage Hall. Eclectic adult films are featured at the Fox Cinema

Several performance venues such as Heritage Hall offer a central location and affordable rents, and have encouraged a vibrant arts community to flourish over the past decade. The Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel offers meeting / seminar facilites along with refurbished hotel rooms commanding views of downtown. Easy parking. 205 Kingsway is the address of the boutique style Best Western Uptown Hotel. Finally, UpTown in historic Mt. Pleasant has Kingsgate Mall with traditional services such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Liquor store in addition to Centrepoint Mall housing the IGA Marketplace.

At the hub of Main Street, Broadway and Kingsway, historic Mount Pleasant has an edgy feel. Find lively coffee shops, bistros, trendy boutiques, galleries, and much more.

Mount Pleasant is a young adult, well-educated and mobile community with a high population density. The area is comprised of more residents with British (English, Scottish and Irish), Canadian and Filipino heritage than average for the city of Vancouver, and significantly fewer with Chinese heritage.
Household sizes in this area are smaller than the Vancouver or GVRD averages, and with a higher proportion of apartment type housing, the area is home to a greater percentage of renters than average for Vancouver. However, several new market residential condominium projects currently underway are creating a significant increase in the proportion of private dwellings for purchase, which can be expected to significantly effect the residential composition in the next five years.
Reflecting their younger age and smaller household size, Mount Pleasant exhibits lower household incomes than the Vancouver or GVRD averages. However, with higher than average education levels, these young residents have strong capacity for increased disposable income in the future.
Not ones for business, administration and management, Mount Pleasant residents tend more toward employment in art, culture, recreation and sport as well as sales and service.