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Vancouver Life

Ever-evolving neighbourhoods reveal a kaleidoscopic vision of this liveable , loveable city text doris ecker + artwork luciana alvarez
Coal Harbour , with Harbour Centre and the sails of Canada Place
DOWNTOWN
Harmonic convergence on a pedestrian-friendly scale — that ’ s the essence of the city ’ s vibrant downtown core . Historic buildings and the sparkling façades that inspired author Douglas Coupland to call Vancouver “ City of Glass ” meld into an appealing streetscape that holds its own against mountain and water views . Take a walk on Vancouver ’ s natural side from the bustling cruiseship terminus , along the waterfront past the greenroofed Convention Centre West Building to the forested jewel in Vancouver ’ s crown , Stanley Park . Or stroll through time , past the relief-encrusted Art Deco Marine Building ( 1930 ), Sinclair Centre ( 1911 ), the Vancouver Lookout ( 1977 ), Holy Rosary Cathedral ( 1900 ), the Colosseum-shaped Public Library ( 1995 ) and the sky-piercing Living Shangri- La ( 2009 ), BC ’ s tallest building at 201 metres ( 659 feet ). Brand- and luxury-shopping options range from classy boutiques in historic buildings to weatherproof malls . Sightseeing warrants sustenance , and downtown ’ s culinary landscape delivers — pan-Asian and West Coast fine dining , modern Mediterranean , glitzy cocktail lounges and original street-food carts . It ’ s an easy amble to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre , Orpheum and Granville Street entertainment venues .
ROBSON STREET
You can ’ t really get the wrong end of the strip on Robson . From Denman to Granville , day and night , restaurants , bars and cafes are abuzz with latteand cocktail-loving fashionistas , shop-happy visitors and the see-and-be-seen crowd . On Robson Square , the neoclassical-revival-style Vancouver Art Gallery , renovated in 1983 by celebrated architect Arthur Erickson , harbours works by renowned Canadian artists , international exhibitions , a classy shop and cafe . History buffs will relish the story of the double ménage à trois that led to the
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