Irrepressible New Westminster
General Characteristics
New Westminster, historically an important city in the Lower Mainland of mountainous British Columbia, Canada, and now a municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, was the capital of the mainland Colony of British Columbia from 1858 until merger of the mainland and island colonies in 1866 and was the province’s largest city until Vancouver overtook it in population early in the 20th Century. New Westminster is in the southeastern part of the Burrard Peninsula on the north bank of the Fraser River about 12 miles from the City of Vancouver, adjacent to Burnaby and Coquitlam, and across the Fraser River from Surrey. The Queensborough portion of New Westminster is on the eastern tip of Lulu Island adjacent to Richmond on the river downstream. Total city land area is 5.9 square miles. In the 2011 Census the population was 65,976, of which in census terms “visible minorities,” mostly Asian, accounted for about 35, “aboriginals” 4, and “European Canadians” 61 percent.
Historical Development
The discovery of gold in British Columbia caused fear of an American invasion and takeover. For this reason, the colonial government in 1859 established Queensborough as the first official capital for its defensible location and communication facilities by water. The London government, however, did not favor “Queensborough,” so Queen Victoria renamed the city after Westminster, where the Houses of Parliament stand. From this renaming by the queen came the official nickname “The Royal City.” A year later, New Westminster became the first British Columbia city to incorporate under an elected municipal government. It was then the principal staging point for prospectors traveling to the gold fields beyond Yale and Port Douglas up the Fraser River.
When the colonies of British Columbia and Vancouver Island merged in 1866, Victoria on Vancouver Island, not New Westminster on the mainland, became the capital of British Columbia by a vote of 13 to 8 in the legislature. After British Columbia became the sixth province of the Dominion of Canada, the Royal City’s economy benefited from the Canadian Pacific Railway extension to Vancouver with a spur to New Westminster in 1886, although most rail traffic went to Vancouver, where the port never froze, unlike the Fraser River in winter at New Westminster. Twelve years later, in 1898, a devastating fire destroyed most of downtown New Westminster. New Westminster’s Chinatown, one of the earliest and largest in the mainland colony, perished in the Great Fire of 1898, and none remains in New Westminster today.
Columbia Street
The downtown heart of New Westminster close to the city waterfront, Columbia Street in its heyday was the main commercial retail and service centre for Burnaby, Coquitlam, and the whole Fraser Valley. The high-quality shopping experience drew customers from even Vancouver by interurban rail or by car via Kingsway (originally Westminster Highway or Westminster Road). The 1964 completion of the Trans-Canada Highway bypass and the building of suburban malls with plentiful free parking drove Columbia Street into a slump during which many businesses abandoned the downtown district.
In October 2006, Columbia Street changed alignment to one lane in both directions with a bicycle lane and reverse-angle parking to encourage pedestrian and bicycling traffic. Construction or renovation projects at the Plaza 88 condominium towers, the Columbia Theatre, and the Westminster Pier Park are evidence of some rejuvenation.
Front Street
Originally a dockside street and market, Front Street converted to a truck route and elevated parking facility during the 1960s to increase parking space for Columbia Street. More recently, it has been the scene of a thriving trade in antiques and a frequent location for feature film productions.
Information Links:
http://newwestchamber.com
http://www.downtownnewwest.ca
http://www.newwestcity.ca
http://www.newwestpcr.ca/recreation/recreation_facilities.php
http://www.newwestcity.ca/business/planning_development/official-community-plan
Queensborough
When Queen Victoria renamed the city, “Queensborough” became the name of the New Westminster section of Lulu Island across the river channel from the southwestern mainland end of the city. Queensborough is today an area of low- to middle-income housing with some new condominium complexes near the Westminster Quay development.
New Westminster Live MLS Listings
Irrepressible New Westminster
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503 823 CARNARVON Street in New Westminster: Downtown NW Condo for sale : MLS®# R2858802
503 823 CARNARVON Street New Westminster V3M 1E9 
$1,259,800Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2858802
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,228 sq. ft.
Welcome to Ovation, an urban luxury building nestled in the vibrant heart of Downtown New Westminster. Experience the epitome of modern living with unparalleled amenities, including mini-golf, a hot tub, and a private clubhouse offering panoramic views for unforgettable gatherings with family and friends. This meticulously crafted residence boasts a coveted layout featuring 2 bedrooms, an office (easily convertible into a guest room), 1 parking space, and 1 storage unit. Enjoy the convenience of heating and air conditioning, topof- the-line Bosch appliances, and a thoughtfully designed interior that seamlessly combines functionality with elegance. More detailsListed by Nu Stream Realty Inc.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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373 PEMBINA Street in New Westminster: Queensborough House for sale : MLS®# R2830974
373 PEMBINA Street New Westminster V3M 5J5
$1,250,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2830974
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 2,214 sq. ft.
Great opportunity!! i Queensborough for Builders / Investors. Build your dream home on this beautiful 7500 sqft lot. Perfect location close to Walmart, Queensborough shopping centre, parks, Sikh temple, Public transit and schools. Book you showing now. More detailsListed by Royal LePage Global Force Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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289 SALTER Street in New Westminster: Queensborough Condo for sale : MLS®# R2869204
289 SALTER Street New Westminster V3M 0J3
$1,250,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2869204
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,550 sq. ft.
NO STRATA FEES!!! Don't miss your chance to own this beautiful row home located in central Queensborough (Port Royal). This well kept 1550 sq/ft approxaimate of living space rowhome offers 3 bed 3 bath. Only 7 years old this home just had some recent renovations done including kitchen, countertops, cabinets, hardwood flooring, carpet, A/C, turf front and back yard. Your future home offers a single car garage and 1 single car carport on a lane access. Enjoy evening walks along the Fraser river boardwalk, take 7 minute Q2Q ferry ride to the Quay and enjoy many restaurants and amenities. Call today for private viewing. Open House: Open House: Sat/Sun(Apr.20/21) 12:00-2:00pm More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty Westmar - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2806 618 CARNARVON Street in New Westminster: Downtown NW Condo for sale in "618 CARNARVON" : MLS®# R2850529
2806 618 CARNARVON Street New Westminster V5M 1E5
$1,249,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2850529
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,164 sq. ft.
Welcome to 618 Carnarvon, this 1164 sq/ft 3 bedroom home is perfect for the urban family. This bright South West corner unit will provide stunning water, mountain and metropolitan views. In the kitchen you'll find polished quartz countertops, stylish Kohler sinks, Bosch appliances including a gas range, beautiful contemporary cabinetry, plus much more. The spa-like bathrooms are equipped with floor to ceiling wall tiling and smart storage solutions. Enjoy the recreation options at the outdoor courtyards. 30,000 square feet of amenities, gym, workspace, guest suite, pet wash station and Concierge. 1 Storage Locker and 2 Parking Stalls. Open House Sunday March 24th 12:00-2:00pm. More detailsListed by Homelife Benchmark Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2003 8 LAGUNA Court in New Westminster: Quay Condo for sale : MLS®# R2869170
2003 8 LAGUNA Court New Westminster V3M 6M6
$1,249,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2869170
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 2,121 sq. ft.
UNOBSTRUCTED river & city views from tastefully renovated 2121 sq ft*, 2 Bed/2Bath w large family room, SW corner WATERFRONT SUB-PH on the Quay boardwalk. Spacious layout featuring engineered hardwood & marble flooring, automatic suite door, updated modern kitchen open to unique family room, renovated baths, cozy gas FP, most blinds are electric, extensive crown mouldings, BI Murphy bed, fresh paint, lighting, huge laundry room & insuite storage. 3 balconies to enjoy the stunning sunset views. 2 covered parking stalls EV ready. 2 Pets & Rentals OK. Fully equipped gym, indoor Olympic size swimming pool, library & visitor parking. Well maintained building w recent upgrades to roof, elevators, exterior & parkade wired for EV. FLEXIBLE POSSESSION. *Measured by Keyplan/Strata Plan shows 2,054 sq ft* More detailsListed by RE/MAX All Points Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
