Arbutus, an affluent residential neighbourhood in Vancouver’s West Side, extends from 16th Avenue on the north to 41st on the south and from Mackenzie Street on the west to Arbutus Street on the east. A mature community with stately homes on large lots between tree-lined streets interspersed with quiet neighbourhood parks and with clear views of the nearby mountains to the north, Arbutus in the middle of Vancouver’s west side has easy access to Downtown, the University of British Columbia, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, and the seaside areas of Kitsilano and Jericho Beach. Most of the population of about 16,000 live in single-family homes. Neighborhood schools are Prince of Wales Secondary School, Carnarvon Elementary School, and Trafalgar Elementary School, which conducts a French immersion program.
Historical Notes
Ironically, this affluent neighbourhood was once the “Asthma Flats” in the late 1800s and early 1900s, little more than a swamp traversable by plank walkways. As in much of Vancouver, the Canadian Pacific Railway brought commercial and residential development to Arbutus Ridge after 1888, when the province turned the area over to the railroad. The Arbutus line remains adjacent to Arbutus Street throughout the east side of the neighbourhood though now abandoned and unused. Arbutus Ridge became a municipality of the City of Vancouver in 1929
Mackenzie Heights in the southwest corner of Arbutus Ridge was in 1912 the first area of the community to start large-scale residential development. Not until the 1940s did developers haul sand from False Creek to fill in the Asthmas Flats for construction of property improvements on the bottom lands.
High Property Values
The single-family home at 2805 West 19th Avenue may look like a bungalow but in fact has six bedrooms and two bathrooms on three levels. A good home and investment, the house has a full basement with a two-bedroom suite which could bring in substantial income. Built in 1942, the 2,310-square-foot home lists for $1.598 million. Annual property taxes are just over $6,000.
Many shops and amenities are within walking distance: a Starbucks coffee shop, Choices Market, La Buca Italian Trattoria, Trafalgar’s at Sweet Obsession, and the Jamaican-inspired Patty Shop. The home is close to Prince of Wales secondary and Carnarvon and Trafalgar elementary schools, and to transit stops just steps away.
Canadian Pacific Controversy
The Arbutus Corridor is marred by train tracks that have not seen a train for years. Cyclists and environmentalists lobby for conversion of this 11-kilometre strip to use as a greenway. The Canadian Pacific Railway owns the land but the city won the legal right to determine land use zoning in a 2006 court decision. The city’s long-term 2040 Transportation Plan describes the Arbutus Corridor as “an east-west barrier.”
Canadian Pacific has asked more than 15,000 people and businesses to remove any property along the train tracks in the Arbutus Corridor as it continues its review of the rail line. No trains have used the line since 2001. The City of Vancouver, which has the last word on use of the corridor, says it is against a return of heavy rail, but residents fear that Canadian Pacific may intend to resume it.
Community Vision PlanIn November 2005, the Vancouver City Council approved the Arbutus Ridge-Kerrisdale-Shaughnessy Community Vision Plan, which seeks to retain the historic and mature character of the area and to further improve the community by:
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New Arbutus Live MLS Listings
Arbutus in Vancouver, BC
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3894 QUESNEL Drive in Vancouver: Arbutus House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2746918
3894 QUESNEL Drive Vancouver V6L 2X2 
$5,888,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2746918
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 3,030 sq. ft.
A house taken out of a Disney Movie! Experience breath taking 180 degree ocean, city, and mountain views. Located on an exceptionally quiet and tranquil street. This beautifully taken care of home sits on a 4,100 sqft lot and features 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The seller has recently changed the roof and added an eye catching stone wall surrounding the entrance. A recently upgraded kitchen, upstairs flooring, and master bathroom compliment the classic stain glass windows and beautifully finished original hardwood floors. Come experience this home in person and be transported into a world of classic high class living. Close to shopping, top private schools, and UBC. Catchments: Trafalgar Elementary & Prince of Wales Secondary. More detailsListed by Dracco Pacific Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2985 W 20TH Avenue in Vancouver: Arbutus House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2721950
2985 W 20TH Avenue Vancouver V6L 1H6
$5,180,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2721950
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 3,835 sq. ft.
Absolutely gorgeous quality custom built home sitting on a Very quiet beautiful street. This exceptional home offering 3900sf living space, 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, wok kitchen, wine room, sauna, view of mountains, supreme finishing throughout, modern & luxurious feeling. High ceiling, open floor layout, hardwood throughout, garment kitchen with high-end cabinetry & top of line appliance, large center island with granite counter top. Close to private & public school, school catchment is Carnarvon Elementary & Prince Wales secondary school. More detailsListed by Pacific Evergreen Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2376 W 22ND Avenue in Vancouver: Arbutus House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2730592
2376 W 22ND Avenue Vancouver V6L 1L9
$4,680,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2730592
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 3,731 sq. ft.
Located in famous neighborhood Arbutus, this house sits on a large lot 6,222 sq ft. This home offers the best in QUALITY & WORKMANSHIP and also offers A/C, radiant, excellent floor plan, hardwood & tile flooring throughout, extensive use of granite and marble, kitchen with maple cabinetry/high end appliances. A huge covered south facing deck. 4 car detached garage. Four bedrooms upstairs. Basement features huge recreation room with 3 bedrooms. Steps to Trafalgar Elementary & Prince of Wales Secondary School, Little Flower Academy, Shaughnessy Elementary. 5 mins drive to Arbutus Shopping Centre, Safeway and retails. 15 mins drive access to downtown, Kits Beach Park, Granville Island, UBC & many more. Open House: Sat 28 Jan 2023 by appointment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYbswR7_jQU More detailsListed by Marine Vista Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2236 W 20TH Avenue in Vancouver: Arbutus House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2735876
2236 W 20TH Avenue Vancouver V6L 1G3
$4,680,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2735876
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 7
- Floor Area:
- 3,854 sq. ft.
Prime Arbutus area, good floor plans, 10' high ceiling on main, 50' wide lot with sunny SOUTH facing backyard located in most desirable Arbutus area. Renovation done in 2022! Air conditioning, HRV, floor heating, school catchment: Trafalgar Elementary and Prince Wales Secondary catchment. Shopping, parks, restaurants, and public transit nearby. Minutes drive to top private schools (York House, Little Flower Academy, and St. George's) and UBC. Easy to show. Call for details. Open House: Feb 4, Saturday 2-4 PM More detailsListed by Pacific Evergreen Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2259 W 18TH Avenue in Vancouver: Arbutus House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2749502
2259 W 18TH Avenue Vancouver V6L 1A5
$4,480,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2749502
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 4,424 sq. ft.
South-facing beautiful house located in heart of Arbutus area, over 4,400 sq ft spacious comfortable living space with 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms. High ceiling, huge entrance curved staircase to upstairs, great natural light, huge master bedroom with massage bathtub, skylight, sundeck off kitchen, balcony. Very nice deep lot, beautiful backyard. Close to all levels of best schools - UBC, Prince of Wales, St George, Crofton House ... close to all amenities. More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
