This place is very cool. It's right in the heart of gas town, at the centre of a unique and diverse neighbourhood. This is a unique stay so I want to discuss The Home, The Building, and The Neighbourhood separately in this review.
The Home:
The home is very unique. The interior design choices of the hosts are like nothing I've ever seen (in a good way). The space feels a little bit like an art exhibit and the initial impression is that of a mystical curiosity shop. It is full of art, books, shrines, records, and feels like a deeply personal reflection of the hosts. Many AirBnBs feel boring and cookie-cutter, but this one felt unique, intimate, artistic, and personal. It took me a while to get used to the vibe, but I quickly felt very comfortable and at home and honoured to have been given the opportunity to experience this awesome home.
The Building:
The building is unusual. I wouldn't usually even bring it up, but it's somewhat confusing. There are a series of doors and hallways that you need to navigate to get up to the space. There are multiple stairways that bring you up different sides of the buildings to different hallways that aren't connected. There is an elevator in the back that brings you up directly to the unit, but there were often a lot of drug users and homeless folks blocking the entrance so we didn't use it much.
The Neighbourhood.
The neighbourhood is very interesting. There is tons to do, lots of great food, stores, its close to downtown, and has a great night life. It is very close to east hastings and main, which is at the centre of the overdose crisis that is happening in canada. There is a LOT of drug activity, police & paramedic presence and a large population that struggles with mental health issues. It is safe, and the community here is strong, but it feels heavy and might be disturbing to some. It's important not to ignore this part of Canada, as there are real problems here... however that doesn't mean its the right place for everyone to stay. So do research.
Overall I'm happy we stayed here. This was one of the most unique stays I've enjoyed and I wouldn't change anything about it. There was a lot to experience, and a lot to think about. We went to some great restaurants, saw some interesting night life, and learned about a part of Vancouver that we'd only read about previously (but will think about more often now).