Great communities don’t just happen – they’re built by the people and businesses that bring energy, creativity, and purpose to every corner. At fabric, we take real pride in championing independent operators who transform spaces into true destinations. fabric’s Hamilton Bank Building at 1895 Powell Street in East Vancouver has long been home to standout culinary concepts, and we’re especially proud to see two of our tenants recently earn national recognition on Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Top 10 list.

While the awards were announced a few months ago, we’re excited to take a moment to recognize what this achievement represents. It reflects not only the talent and passion behind these restaurants, but also the growing momentum of Port Town and East Vancouver’s evolving hospitality scene – an evolution we’re proud to be part of!

Port Town is quickly emerging as one of the city’s most dynamic cultural pockets, shaped by an evolving mix of hospitality, craft production, and creative industry. At its centre is the Hamilton Bank Building, a heritage landmark carefully restored by fabric in 2015 and reimagined as a hub for creatives and culinary talents.

Today, it’s home to a growing collection of standout food and beverage concepts that are helping define the neighbourhood as a true destination for discovery.

A National Stage for Culinary Talent

Each year, Air Canada sends an anonymous reviewer across Canada to experience dozens of new restaurants, ultimately narrowing the field to just 10 standout dining experiences.

This year’s Top 10 includes two exceptional Vancouver restaurants – remarkably, they’re neighbours at the Hamilton Bank Building:

• #6 – Nero Tondo
• #10 – Niwa

For fabric, this recognition is especially meaningful. It reflects not only the strength of these individual concepts, but also the fact that two of our tenants are being celebrated on a national stage – establishing them as both local favourites and leaders in Canada’s dining scene. Recognition that is so well-deserved for the hard-working teams behind these restaurants!

#6 – Nero Tondo: Hyper-Local, Ever-Evolving

At Nero Tondo, the menu is built entirely around seasonal availability, and the restaurant embraces a hyper-local philosophy, sourcing ingredients from farms, forests, and waters across British Columbia.

There’s no fixed menu. No repetition. Just a constantly evolving expression of what’s fresh, local, and in season.

This commitment to place and process is exactly what earned Nero Tondo a spot on the national Top 10, showcasing how regional cuisine can resonate on a broader stage.

#10 – Niwa: Thoughtful, Elevated Japanese Dining

Niwa offers an elevated Japanese dining experience that combines precision, creativity, and a deep respect for ingredients.

With a focus on delicate flavour balance, artful presentation, and thoughtful hospitality, every meal feels intentional, each dish a reflection of the chef’s craft.

Niwa’s recognition highlights how small, detail-driven restaurants in thoughtfully designed spaces can create an outsized impact, both locally and nationally.

Building Spaces That Shape Culture

The recognition of these restaurants isn’t just a win for chefs and their teams, but also a reflection of the environments that support them.

At fabric, our approach has always been to create spaces that invite creativity, risk-taking, and community connection, places where independent operators can do their best work.

Port Town and the Hamilton Bank Building have become a platform for exactly that.

And now, with two of its restaurants recognized among the best in the country, it’s clear that what’s happening here is resonating far beyond the immediate neighbourhood.

What’s Next for Port Town?

As Port Town continues to evolve, its momentum is only building.

More chefs, makers, and creatives are choosing this pocket of East Vancouver, drawn by its authenticity, energy, and sense of possibility.

For us at fabric, that’s the goal. Not just to build buildings, but to help shape communities people want to be part of.

And sometimes, those communities end up on a national stage.