Situated within downtown Vancouver, is the district of Yaletown. This district is currently bounded by Homer Street, Robson Street and False Creek. Originally, Yaletown was an industrial region dominated by rail yards and warehouses. After Expo 86, it has gone through numerous changes and has become one of the most heavily inhabited districts within Vancouver. There are numerous high rise apartments, parks, converted heritage buildings and marinas within the district. Yaletown represents amongst the most significant urban regeneration projects within all of North America.
The nearness of False Creek and of the railway led Yaletown to become a heavily industrialized neighborhood as the years progressed. Even these days, many warehouses, factories and rail buildings still survive that era.
Yaletown became somewhat shoddy and contaminated after the real-estate bust and boom cycles throughout the 20th century. This caused the region to be purchased by the city. The entire region became ripe for development following Expo 86, or the 1986 World Fair. The site was sold to Li Ka-Shing; a Hong Kong based developer who set the area facelift and redevelopment process into motion which is still happening nowadays.
Nearby, at the junction of Davie Street and Pacific Boulevard, an old brick CP roundhouse has been transformed into the Roundhouse Community Centre. This particular building uses the old engine turntable as an outdoor, small amphitheatre. As a tribute to the history of the local rail, it also houses Engine 374, which pulled the first passenger train into the city of Vancouver in 1887.
Most of the apartment blocks within the area spill around the central core of Hamilton and Mainland Streets. Much of the other architecture in Yaletown is newly built on the previously derelict yards. Many of the new residential and commercial buildings are uniform glass and concrete high-rise style.