Marpole, Vancouver

Explore Marpole

Discover transit stations, schools, parks, and key landmarks in and around Marpole.

Overview

Marpole is one of Vancouver's oldest and most storied neighborhoods, with roots stretching back to the 1870s when it served as a hub for fishing and lumber operations along the Fraser River. Located at the southern tip of Vancouver — bordered by West 57th Avenue to the north, the Fraser River to the south, Oak Street to the east, and the western edge near Celtic Avenue — Marpole occupies a strategic position between the city core and the communities of Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport.

Today, Marpole is a neighborhood in transition. Its tree-lined residential streets are filled with a mix of charming post-war bungalows, character homes from the early 20th century, and an increasing number of modern condominiums and townhome developments. The Marpole Community Plan is guiding thoughtful densification along major corridors while preserving the quiet, family-oriented character of interior streets that residents love.

What draws many buyers to Marpole is its remarkable value relative to surrounding areas. With a GVR benchmark price of $1.14M — well below Oakridge ($1.49M), Kerrisdale ($1.90M), or South Cambie ($1.44M) — Marpole offers an entry point into Vancouver's west side that is increasingly rare. Add in the Marine Drive SkyTrain station, proximity to YVR, and a growing community of shops and restaurants, and it's easy to see why Marpole is gaining attention from savvy buyers and investors alike.

Living in Marpole

Marpole has a warm, unpretentious character that sets it apart from many of Vancouver's more polished neighborhoods. This is a place where families put down roots, where neighbors know each other by name, and where the pace of life feels just a little slower than the urban buzz of areas closer to downtown. The community is remarkably diverse, with longtime residents of European heritage living alongside newer arrivals from South and East Asia, creating a rich cultural tapestry that shows up in the food, the festivals, and the everyday rhythm of the neighborhood.

The housing stock reflects Marpole's layered history. You'll find lovingly maintained 1940s and 1950s bungalows on generous lots, mid-century ranchers with mature gardens, and newer low-rise apartment buildings and townhome complexes that have sprung up as the community plan takes effect. This mix gives Marpole a visual variety that newer, more homogeneous neighborhoods sometimes lack.

A Day in Marpole

Start your morning with a coffee and fresh pastry from one of the bakeries on Granville Street. Walk the kids to David Lloyd George Elementary, then hop on the Canada Line at Marine Drive — you'll be at your downtown office in 20 minutes flat. After work, pick up groceries at one of the neighborhood's excellent Asian supermarkets or the local farmers' market. On weekends, take the family to the Fraser River Trail for a bike ride, explore the playgrounds at Marpole Park, or drive ten minutes to Richmond for dim sum at some of the best Chinese restaurants in North America.

Marpole is also a gateway neighborhood. Its southern location means you're closer to YVR than almost anywhere else in Vancouver, making it ideal for frequent travelers. Richmond's world-class shopping and dining are minutes away via the Oak Street Bridge or Arthur Laing Bridge. And yet, when you come home, you return to quiet, leafy streets that feel worlds away from the bustle.

Marpole Real Estate Market

Marpole offers a broad spectrum of housing options, making it accessible to everyone from first-time buyers to families seeking a detached home:

The GVR MLS® HPI composite benchmark for Marpole is $1.14M as of January 2026 (-6.3% year-over-year), which represents strong value compared to adjacent neighborhoods like Oakridge ($1.49M) or Kerrisdale ($1.90M). This price differential, combined with Marpole's improving amenities and transit access, has made it one of the more watched neighborhoods among real estate investors.

Getting Around

Marpole's southern location and strong transit connections make it surprisingly well-connected:

For frequent flyers, Marpole is hard to beat. YVR is just two SkyTrain stops — or a 10-minute drive — from the heart of the neighborhood. This proximity to the airport is a genuine lifestyle advantage that few other Vancouver neighborhoods can match, making Marpole particularly popular with professionals who travel regularly for work.

Parks & Recreation

Marpole offers residents a generous amount of green space, from pocket parks to the expansive Fraser River waterfront:

The Marpole Community Plan also calls for expanded and improved park spaces as the neighborhood grows. New pocket parks, improved pedestrian connections to the Fraser River, and enhanced community facilities are all part of the long-term vision for the area.

Schools & Education

Marpole is home to well-regarded public schools and is within reach of several private and post-secondary options:

Shopping & Dining

Marpole's dining and shopping scene has been quietly blossoming in recent years, driven by the neighborhood's growing diversity and the arrival of new residents. The Granville Street corridor between 67th and 71st Avenues serves as Marpole's commercial heart, with a mix of longtime local businesses and exciting new additions.

The restaurant scene along Granville Street is particularly noteworthy. You'll find excellent Vietnamese pho houses, authentic Korean barbecue, neighborhood Italian trattorias, Japanese ramen shops, and cozy brunch spots that have become local institutions. The diversity of the food mirrors the diversity of the community, and many Marpole restaurants offer quality that rivals more well-known dining districts at friendlier prices.

Marine Drive also offers a commercial strip with grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, and everyday services. Several large Asian supermarkets in the area provide outstanding produce and specialty ingredients. For larger shopping excursions, the Richmond Centre and Aberdeen Centre malls are just across the bridge — a five-minute drive from most parts of Marpole.

As the Marpole Community Plan brings more density and foot traffic to the neighborhood, expect the commercial landscape to continue improving. New mixed-use developments along Cambie and Granville will add ground-floor retail and dining, further enhancing the neighborhood's walkability and convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions