Gastown named fourth most stylish neighbourhood in the world

A leading young men’s lifestyle magazine has named Gastown the fourth most stylish neighbourhood in the world, one spot behind New York’s famous SoHo area.

Complex Magazine says Gastown is a “menswear hotbed” with several well-regarded shops lining its cobblestone streets.

The neighbourhood is well-known as a tourist attraction and one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver.

Recent condo developments have brought more residents into the area and gentrification has transformed previously neglected heritage buildings into hip boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

One of the new fashion businesses that has moved into the neighbourhood recently is Secret Location, which took over the old Koolhaus space at the corner of Water and Carrall Streets.

Cara McLeay, Assistant Buyer for Secret Location, thinks Gastown is deserving of the honour.

“It was a very nice thing to hear considering we are often given a hard time for the lululemon situation,” she says, referring to a survey last year that named Vancouver the third worst-dressed city in North America partly due to our love of the popular yoga pants.

“Gastown out of all the areas in Vancouver is a good choice and very deserving.”

McLeay just returned from a buying trip to Paris, Milan and London.

“It’s nice to see we can stand up against those cities as well,” she says. “The style in the area is very wearable, and it’s chic and functional too.”

Gastown came in at number four, the top ten stylish neighbourhoods were as follows:

1. 1st Arrondissement, Paris
2. Harajuku, Tokyo
3. SoHo, New York
4. Gastown, Vancouver
5. Kreuzber-Friedrichshain, Berlin
6. Wynwood, Miami
7. Sodermalm, Sweden
8. Ladbrooke Grove, London
9. Central District, Hong Kong
10. Brera, Italy