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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106 828 ROYAL Avenue in New Westminster: Downtown NW Townhouse for sale in "Brickstone Walk" : MLS®# R2858076
106 828 ROYAL Avenue New Westminster V3M 1J9 
$749,990Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2858076
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 940 sq. ft.
Welcome to BRICKSTONE WALK Townhomes in New Westminster's Downtown core. Short stroll to Waterfront Quay, market, cafes, restaurants, Douglas College, skytrain station etc. Main floor features an open layout with a large entertaining size kitchen with shaker-style cabinetry, stainless steal appliances, silestone countertops, combined dining & living room. Upstairs are 2 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms + laundry. 1 parking stall and 1 storage locker included. Pets and rentals are all allowed. Don't miss out! More detailsListed by Interlink Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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107 270 FRANCIS Way in New Westminster: Fraserview NW Condo for sale in "THE GROVE @ VICTORIA HILL" : MLS®# R2870760
107 270 FRANCIS Way New Westminster V3L 0C3
$749,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2870760
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 943 sq. ft.
Stunning ground floor garden home. Private South facing 387 square foot patio + fenced in grass area. You can hear a pin drop its so quiet. This spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath home features open floorplan, granite kitchen counters with cantilevered breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, newer laminate floors. Both bedrooms have big walk in closets. Cozy fireplace in comfortable living room. Outdoor area has partial coverage for your BBQ. Enjoy the amenities at the 'Boiler House' recreation facility with full gym, movie theatre, lounge, games room & basketball court. Building has 2 common EV charging spots. Air conditioning may be installed with Strata approval. Close to transit, shopping and sky train. Short walk to Queens Park. Truly a gem and rarely available. Shows amazing. Open House Saturday April 20th 2:00 - 4:00 and Sunday April 21st 2:00 - 4:00. More detailsListed by RE/MAX All Points Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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903 1245 QUAYSIDE Drive in New Westminster: Quay Condo for sale : MLS®# R2873652
903 1245 QUAYSIDE Drive New Westminster V3M 6J6
$749,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2873652
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 1,508 sq. ft.
Welcome to the Riviera at the Quay. This massive 2 bedroom 2 bathroom floorplan gives you space like a detached home but views of an apartment. An ideal layout, this unit has the living room, kitchen and dining room on one end of the apartment while the bedrooms are on the other end with ample closet space throughout. Enjoy the brand new flooring and updates throughout or simply enjoy the 9th floor views from your balcony. The building has fantastic amenities including a pool, hot tub, gym, sauna, games room and clubhouse as well as 2 visitor parking passes. Pets are welcome. Walk over to the River Market, multiple parks, Skytrain station, Brewery and Multiple Shops. Book your showing today for a full tour! Open Houses Saturday April 27th 2-4pm, Sunday April 28th 11-1pm More detailsListed by Stonehaus Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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308 232 SIXTH Street in New Westminster: Uptown NW Condo for sale in "Moody On The Hill" : MLS®# R2874045
308 232 SIXTH Street New Westminster V3L 3A4
$749,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2874045
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 834 sq. ft.
Welcome to this Brand new 2 BED unit with area 834 sqft. plus 86 sqft Balcony. Situated at Moody on the Hill, the newest addition of modern condominiums located at the corner of 6th and Welsh Street in Queens Park community of New Westminster, just 10 minutes of leisure walking away from the Columbia and New Westminster SkyTrain Stations. Moody Hill homes are a part of a lovely surrounding, just steps from plaza, grocery stores, boutiques, and restaurants. Walking to Douglas College and Yorkville University. Moody on the Hill at your door step offers optimal enjoyment of river front community. So don't miss the opportunity and make this beautiful unit your own unit. MUST SEE!! More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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708 608 BELMONT Street in New Westminster: Uptown NW Condo for sale : MLS®# R2838609
708 608 BELMONT Street New Westminster V3M 0G8
$748,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2838609
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 914 sq. ft.
Viceroy by BOSA Properties. This well maintained two bedroom CORNER unit features an open floor plan, high end finishings including Bosch and Samsung stainless steel appliances and brand new laminate floor. This unit comes with 1 parking stall and 1 locker, amenities include lounge with kitchen, garden and a gym. One block away from all grocery stores, all major banks and many restaurants. Few minutes walking distance to Skytrain station. 15 mins to Metrotown/Lougheed Centre. This is a great opportunity for young families or investors looking for great rental returns. Call today for your private showing. More detailsListed by RE/MAX Crest Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
