312 Main is a community hub in Vancouver (Canada), home to more than 80+ nonprofits, social enterprises, community organizations, artists and purpose-driven businesses. We provide affordable office, studio, meeting and event space that helps organizations focus on their work while being part of a vibrant community.
Operated by Vancity Community Foundation, 312 Main transformed a former police station into a shared home for organizations working to strengthen communities. Our tenants and members are tackling issues ranging from housing and public health to economic inclusion, arts and culture, and community development. Alongside affordable space, we create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and connection through shared spaces, events, and gatherings. We believe social purpose real estate can do more than house organizations. It can bring people together, spark new ideas and strengthen the relationships that drive lasting community impact.
What is one interesting fact about your space?
312 Main occupies a building with a complex history. Once the headquarters of the Vancouver Police Department, it has since been transformed into a community hub where nonprofits, social enterprises, artists and changemakers come together. Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a neighbourhood known for both its challenges and its extraordinary history of community leadership, the building reflects how spaces can evolve over time to better serve the needs and aspirations of the communities around them.
What are your favorite resources that you would recommend to others?
Two resources I’d encourage others to explore are Research 101: A Manifesto for Ethical Research in the Downtown Eastside and Vancity Community Foundation’s Climate Resilience Roadmap for Non-Profits: From Crisis to Collective Power. Both emerged from work in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and offer valuable lessons that extend far beyond the neighbourhood. Research 101 challenges us to think differently about accountability, reciprocity and community engagement, while the Climate Resilience Roadmap translates the experiences of frontline organizations into practical strategies for building resilience in the face of climate change. Together, they highlight the importance of community-led solutions and the knowledge that exists within the communities themselves.
Center Name: 312 Main
Center Member Type: Center in Operation
Location: Vancouver, BC
Center Website: www.312main.ca
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