Granville Island

area, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

Granville Island is a peninsula located in False Creek, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was originally an industrial area that was transformed into a peninsula in the mid-1960s. In the 1970s, the federal government purchased the 38-acre site and invited various businesses and cultural organizations to lease the buildings.1

The revitalized Granville Island officially opened in 1977 and has since become a popular destination, attracting over 10 million visitors annually. It is known for its Public Market, which offers a wide variety of meats, fruits, vegetables, and crafts, as well as numerous restaurants. The island also hosts craftspeople, art galleries, and theatre companies, contributing to its vibrant atmosphere.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Vancouver
The contemporary city
Granville Island, directly beneath the Granville Street Bridge, was an industrial area in False Creek that was created with landfill around two small sandbars and transformed into a peninsula in the mid-1960s. In the 1970s the federal government purchased the 38-acre (15-hectare) “island,” from which…
Read More
Granville Island, directly beneath the Granville Street Bridge, was an industrial area in False Creek that was created with landfill around two small sandbars and transformed into a peninsula in the mid-1960s. In the 1970s the federal government purchased the 38-acre (15-hectare) “island,” from which…
Read More