On the main peninsula of the City of Vancouver in the Lower Mainland of the southwestern corner of the Canadian Province of British Columbia, the neighbourhood of Dunbar–Southlands extends northward from the Fraser River past Pacific Spirit Regional Park on the west to West 16th Avenue, where the border extends eastward to the neighbourhoods of Arbutus Ridge and Kerrisdale east of Puget Drive, Mackenzie Street, and Blenheim Street. The Southlands area of the neighbourhood south of Marine Drive near the river is one of lavish mansions, golf courses, and horse farms.
Historical Sketch
History or legend records the first European settlers as farmers Fitzgerald and Sam McCleery in 1863. In 1912, the Canadian Pacific Railway and the provincial government, which by then held most of the land, established a subdivision for construction of residences for the planned University of British Columbia under development just to the west. By 1927, Dunbar had three streetcar lines and a number of unique homes, many still standing; 21 are on the City of Vancouver heritage register.
Affluent Southlands
Southlands is ideal for the high-flying, jet-setting lifestyle as Vancouver International Airport on Sea Island across the river is a short drive away. Trees line Southlands streets and often arch across the entire roadway. In early spring, hundreds of cherry trees blossom. The city maintains eight parks within Dunbar-Southlands. The extensive Pacific Spirit Regional Park has many kilometres of trails and the Camosun Bog wetland. Southlands lots are mostly of multi-acre dimensions behind million-dollar mansions that dominate the land.
Dunbar-Southland are in fact two distinct neighbourhoods combined into one. North of Southlands, Dunbar too has quiet streets lined with grand old trees and landscaped parks. Cross the line from Southlands to Dunbar and property quality declines from magnificent to merely luxurious. Multi-million dollar mansions on expansive, secluded estates give way to large single-family homes on pristine lots. Dunbar-Southland is a neighbourhood of mostly established families, not many recent immigrants, and less ethnic diversity than in Vancouver overall, but this feature may change as condominium construction makes the housing stock more affordable.
Commerce and Education
The Dunbar Business Improvement Area (BIA), the newest Vancouver BIA, covers ten blocks along Dunbar Street between 16th and 41st Avenues as far east as Collingwood Street. Shopping in the quaint stores along Dunbar Street adds to the distinctively genteel neighbourhood ambiance. About 12,350 inhabit the Dunbar BIA.
The proportion of people between the ages of 5 and 19 is well above the Metro Vancouver average. Dunbar-Southlands residents value formal education highly. The independent St George’s School on the eastern edge of Pacific Spirit Regional Park has ranked at the top of the British Columbia schools for several years. Two other schools, West Point Grey and Crofton House, rank regularly in the top five. Lord Byng and University Hill are perhaps the most academically distinguished in a field of highly reputable public secondary schools.
Careers
Fifty-six percent of Dunbar-Southlanders hold university degrees compared to thirty-nine percent for the city and thirty-one for Metro Vancouver. Perhaps reflecting the fact that neighbourhood education levels are significantly higher than average regional levels, many residents work in leadership positions and in specialized fields in social sciences, education, government, religion, business management, natural and applied sciences, and health care.
FANTASTIC custom luxury home in prestigious Dunbar, almost 4500 sqft of exquisite living space situated on a 6100 sqft level lot in the park-like street. This elegant custom built home offers excellent exterior & interior design, high ceilings, top quality materials, top-of-the-line appliances, high quality craftsmanship throughout. Featuring 6 bed + 5.5 baths,4 spacious bdrm with ensuites above and 2 bdrm with ensuites & large recreation in the basement, high-end kitchen cabinetry & gourmet kitchen & wok kit, A/C, HRV,radiant floor heating, 2-car garage and south exposure backyard. minutes to Lord Byng Secondary, St. George’s, Croft House and West Point Grey Academy private schools, Queen Elizabeth Elem, UBC, and Pacific Spirit Park.More details
Situated in Vancouver Westside's most prestigious neighbourhood, Dunbar, this magnificent home was built with extraordinary quality featuring an open and efficient floorplan, with gourmet kitchen, top of the line Miele appliances, huge wok kitchen, air conditioning, radiant heat throughout the home, HRV, crown mouldings, wet bar, media room, wine cellar, sauna, surveillance camera etc.. Fully finished attic space that includes an ensuite plus flex space that is completely private. Steps to Memorial West Park, Sasamat Trails, H-Mart, Stong's Market, restaurants, golf courses and public transit. Southlands Elementary and Point Grey Secondary school catchments. St. George's and Crofton House private schools also closeby. Your new home awaits! Call for a private showing!More details
QUIET STREET IN DUNBAR! Walk to Chaldecott Park park and St. George's private school. This is a meticulously built, "move-in-ready" house that sits on large lot, just steps away from St. George's school. Hardwood & tile flooring thru all levels. Designer choices of materials throughout. Open kitchen is equipped w/ island & breakfast bars & appliances & custom cabinetry. Upstairs 4 ensuite bdrms. The bsmt is finished w/ large rec rm with wine bar, media rm & 1 guest bdrm. BONUS: 900 sqft laneway house features living/dining space w/ full equipped kitchen, washer/dryer & 2 bdrms. Quick access to UBC, top schools, golf club, Kerrisdale Village, or beach parks & much more. Open house: July 2 & 3, 3-5pm.More details
Situated at the prestigious Dunbar neighbourhood, this elegant custom house built on a prime 50' x 130' property. Functional open floor plan, spacious living and dining room, gorgeous main kitchen with a fully equipped Wok kitchen let to outdoor covered sunroom, perfectly for family entertainment. The top floor features with four bedrooms, including a cozy spacious master bedroom with spa-like bathroom. The lower level comes with a sizable theatre and open rec room, wet bar & wine cellar and two other bedrooms for guests. Fabulous location, quiet neighbourhood, close to top school St. Georges and Crofton and UBC. EASY TO SHOW!More details
Land Assembly on the Southeast corner of Dunbar and West King Edward. More than one acre (45,587 square feet) with potential for Secured Market Rental, mixed-use, market condominiums or Elders’ residence. Currently zoned RS-5. City, Ocean, and Mountain views for the upper floors of a potential new project. At the Gateway to the Dunbar High Street and a world of convenience. Walking distance to Stong’s Market, Shoppers and London Drugs. Great possibilities await in this coveted neighbourhood of tree lined streets with transit, schools and parks at your doorstep. Buyers to do their own due diligence with the City of Vancouver for all matters relating to the subject homes.More details