The Shipyards District is the redeveloped public waterfront immediately east of Lonsdale Quay — the site of the old Burrard Dry Dock and Pacific Coast Shipyard, which built Victory ships and Bangor-class minesweepers during the Second World War. The yards closed in 1992; redevelopment took nearly thirty years and was completed in 2019 with a public plaza, a covered ice rink in winter that becomes a water-feature in summer, restored shipyard cranes used as kinetic sculptures, and a row of restaurants in renovated industrial buildings.
The result is one of the better public spaces on the lower mainland. The Polygon Gallery (a small contemporary photography museum) sits at the western edge in a striking aluminium-clad cantilevered building by Patkau Architects. The old Pipe Shop is now an event space and craft beer hall; the Machine Shop houses a brewery and several restaurants. The whole waterfront is connected by the elevated Spirit Trail walking and cycling path.
It is the most pleasant evening waterfront in the metropolitan area. Free to wander; restaurants and bars charge regular Vancouver prices.