Joshua ReyDid you know that Vancouver has loads of luxury shopping areas? The city even has an emerging ‘Luxury Zone’ located downtown which includes Alberni Street, Hastings, Granville, Kerrisdale, and Dunsmuir Street.
These luxury shopping spots offer exclusive and big name brands to elevate your retail therapy experience. So let’s discover Vancouver’s finest retail destinations, where luxury meets the Pacific breeze.
Does Vancouver have good shopping?
Vancouver is a great place to shop, with an impressive line-up of neighborhoods showing off distinct wardrobe styles and price tags.
While other parts of downtown Vancouver are teeming with independent shops, boutiques, and upscale clothing stores, Robson Street is home to stores that advertise well-known brands and massive department stores.
Main Street, Gastown, Kerrisdale, and West 4th and 16th Avenues are some of the city’s other well-liked shopping destinations.
Whether you’re looking to score trendy fashion pieces or one-of-a-kind accessories or clothing, the city has no shortage of options to satisfy your shopping desires.
Is there a luxury zone in Vancouver?
The luxury zone in Vancouver is located on Alberni Street, located in downtown Vancouver, and was once a dull commercial street.
Alberni Street, also known as Vancouver’s “Luxury Zone” or “Luxury Row”, boomed in the 2010s, when an abundance of luxury brands sprouted along its streets, which turned it into an upscale retail hotspot.
Some of the big names you can find here at Alberni Street include Tiffany, Hermes, Ferragamo, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci, and many more.
Alberni Street
Where: Between Burrard Street and Bute Street
Brands: Chanel, Tiffany & Co.,Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, Saint Laurent, etc.
Alberni Street didn’t start off as anything special, just your run-of-the-mill commercial spot. Fast forward to the 2010s, and bam! It’s now the go-to place for all things luxurious.
The magic kicked off in 1991 when Chanel set up shop at 755 Burrard Street. After that, it was a chain reaction – Celine, Hermes, Fendi, you name it, they joined the party. By 2008, Burberry staked its claim at Shangri La, marking the westward march of luxury on Alberni Street.
The Alberni Street shopping district sits pretty in the West End of downtown, stretching two blocks along Alberni Street from Bute Street to Burrard Street.
Pro tip:
If you’re in need of a shopping break, swing by Black + Blue or Carlino at Shangri-La for a fancy bite.
Maison Birks
Where: 698 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1V4, Canada
Brands: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, and Tudor
If you’re all about luxury Swiss watches, dazzling eyewear, and splendid leather goods, make your way to Maison Birks on W Hastings Street. It’s the go-to spot for everything shiny and shimmering, featuring top-notch brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Chaumet, and Tudor.
This place is more than just a shop; it’s a high-end accessories institution. Even if bling isn’t your thing, the building itself is a masterpiece. With its high ceilings and stunning old architecture, the experience is a gift for everyone who steps inside.
Pro tip:
Maison Birks is the only location to carry Chaumet on the west coast so it is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance of Chaumet jewelry.
South Granville
Where: South Granville, Vancouver, Canada
Brands: Issey Miyake, Missoni, Pierre Hardy, Max Mara, and Bacci’s Vancouver
Down in South Granville, also known as ‘Uptown’ by the locals, you’ll find fancy fashion joints and cool furniture shops that draw in up-and-coming designers, art buffs, trendsetters, and folks into interior decor.
Back in 1907, the Canadian Pacific Railway set up this area as a swanky hood, and it’s been a buzzing shopping hub ever since. You’ve got big-name brands like Boboli, Issey Miyake, Missoni, and Bacci’s Vancouver holding it down here.
Just spot that flashy neon sign that says ‘Stanley’ and dive into your shopping spree. Take a stroll along the strip, hit one side of the street, then loop back up the other until you’re right back where you kicked things off.
Pro tip:
There are tons of Instagrammable spots here at South Granville. Besides the plethora of art galleries, it also has a vibrant mural collection along the streets!
Kerrisdale
Where: Kerrisdale, Vancouver, Canada
Brands: Hill’s of Kerrisdale, Catimini Paris, and Thomas Hobbs Florist
Kerrisdale, known by the locals as a classy neighborhood adorned with grand trees along its sidewalks, boasts Kerrisdale Village as its prime shopping spot.
This village was a trailblazer, being one of the pioneers in bringing in specially crafted street furniture to enhance the charm of its main shopping streets.
Nowadays, it’s a shopper’s haven, with over 200 stores seamlessly blended with coffee shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Leading the pack in the 1920s was Hill’s of Kerrisdale, setting the stage with a mix of clothing, jewelry, and gifts.
For the fashion-forward, there’s Blake and Riley for women and children, Catimini Paris for the little ones, and Kerrisdale Bootery offering an extensive range of shoes for the whole family.
Pro tip:
Kerrisdale stands out as one of the last spots where you can snag free parking so you won’t have to worry about going here by car.
Holt Renfrew
Where: 737 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1E4, Canada
Brands: Alexander McQueen, Prada, Valentino, Amina Muaddi, Gucci, etc.
Right at the intersection of Granville and Dunsmuir Streets, you’ll find Holt Renfrew, nestled inside CF Pacific Centre.
It’s hands down one of Canada’s top-tier high-end department stores, boasting an impressive lineup of designer brands across its three floors and sprawling 190,000 square feet.
From Tiffany & Co. to Gucci, Bulgari to Burberry, Fendi to Givenchy – you name it, they’ve got the big names that every A-lister seems to be rocking.
What really makes them stand out is the top-notch customer service. They go the extra mile with valet parking, personal shopping assistance, and to top it off, there’s the Holts Cafe where you can kick back with salads, sandwiches, coffee, and cocktails.
Pro tip:
If you’ve got a moment to go through everything, there are some super cool deals happening at Holt Renfrew, with stuff marked down by as much as 80%!
