[1] Hastings–Sunrise is the northern half of a block of land ear-marked by the Province of British Columbia in the mid-19th century as the future location for a harbour city to complement New Westminster, the town on the Fraser River which was then (in 1863) BC's capital and the terminus city for Western Canada.

The first road, hotel, post office, telephone, real estate transaction, and subdivision in what is now Vancouver were all built at Hastings Townsite.

Local residents lobbied for more 'wholesome' activities and draws, and in 1910 the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) was the result.

[2] By the 1920s, much of the waterfront was occupied by railyards, wheat pools, and the Port of Vancouver, which continues to be a major employer for the area.

More recently, the area has become an attractive location for young professionals and artists, as well as an influx of immigrants from China and other South-East Asian countries.

Provincially, Hastings–Sunrise is part of the Vancouver-Hastings electoral district,[4] and federally it is contained within the riding of Vancouver East.