The Armoury District, one of the latest acknowledged neighborhoods in the city, is scarcely a century old. But the area has seen an influx of architects, interior designers, retail shops and cafés over the past 10 years to complement the high-end vehicle dealerships that have been its most prominent characteristic for a while.
Shop
The Spirit Wrestler Gallery was founded in 1995 and is one of the longest running businesses in the area. Inuit, Northwest Coast and Maori artists are on display in the gallery. Gallery Jones exhibits contemporary art by artists from Canada and abroad. Visit Three Centuries and J.H. for antiquities. Tee Antiques (a specialty for state silverware) ; Westbridge Fine Art Auction House has a ticket for fine art. But this neighborhood is really about home decoration, with shops featuring cabinetry and floors (Troico and Frontier, respectively), home line of Giorgio Armani (Armani / Casa), patio furniture (Brougham), and more.
Dine
Some of the best examples of indulgences from Vancouver turn the neighborhood into a location for food. For top-of – the-line cheeses and sweets, these include Les Amis du Fromage and Chocolate Arts. Speaking of indulgences, Bel Café’s second location just opened here by famous chef David Hawksworth, and is the place to be seen eating French macaroons and gourmet sandwiches.
Play
People don’t necessarily come to the Armoury District in search of parks, playgrounds or cultural activities (though the Indian Summer Festival offices are situated here). The fun here is of the aspirational kind: visiting local stores, designers and galleries, and playing with thoughts about the kind of life you want to live in / the setting you want to live in. And if you’re really aspiring, you’d like to ride the Lamborghini model.Live and work.
In this stretch of the town there may not be many condos, but there are plenty in neighboring regions such as the Olympic Village and a little further south in Kitsilano. The Armoury District itself is all about shopping and working, and here are several architectural, growth and interior design companies.