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
-
2021 MARINE Way in New Westminster: Connaught Heights Land for sale : MLS®# R2426278
2021 MARINE Way New Westminster V3M 2H2 
$7,500,000Land Only- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2426278
OCP has changed to comprehensive development. New Westminster's adopted a new OCP on October 2, 2017 as (CD) comprehensive development, This 12,396 Sq Ft parcel of land is Just steps away from the 22nd St Skytrain station. It can be purchased with several adjoining properties for a major development opportunity. More detailsListed by RE/MAX Lifestyles Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
411 THIRD Avenue in New Westminster: Queens Park Multifamily for sale in "HARI MANOR" : MLS®# R2613352
411 THIRD Avenue New Westminster V3L 2S3
$6,200,000Multifamily- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2613352
- Bedrooms:
- 11
- Bathrooms:
- 10
- Floor Area:
- 9,057 sq. ft.
Selling as revenue holding, near-term future development property. Grandfathered RS1 - ideal low holding prop. Laneway/infill homes/new MF bldg w/underground pkg. Large land parcel (17,667 sq.ft), 9,800+ sq.ft of living area, 10 self contained suites (Four studios and Six 1 bdrms), plus one caretaker suite (studio), as well as a separate five stall garage building. Has previously been a seniors' care, assisted living multifamily apartment building in the 60's/'70's, so both are feasible. Separately metered for all utilities, hydro, gas, cable. Low maintenance costs. More detailsListed by RE/MAX Crest Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
39 E EIGHTH Avenue in New Westminster: The Heights NW House for sale : MLS®# R2599551
39 E EIGHTH Avenue New Westminster V3L 4J4
$3,173,310Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2599551
- Floor Area:
- 3,800 sq. ft.
This home is to be sold in conjunction with 807, 809, 817, 819, 823 Sangster Place + 39 East Eighth Avenue - 46 765 square feet in land total. Bring your building ideas to this Site with a partial RGO zone. City Hall has looked and will be open to discussion. Townhomes or 6 story if permitted. This area is abundant with low rise and High-rise and Townhomes. Shopping a 1 min walk to all major stores, Bus to 5 Skytrain stations within 1 min walk. 1 minute drive to Burnaby. 10 minute drive to Surrey and Perimeter Highway and Highway One. 5 Top schools with Montessori/ French Immersion + the Justice Institute 1 minute walk. Condos + Townhomes being built capturing $1000-$1200 a sq ft. This is a good site for Social Cause or Family Living. The largest Assembly in the city, ready to go. More detailsListed by Stonehaus Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
127 JARDINE Street in New Westminster: Queensborough House for sale : MLS®# R2563014
127 JARDINE Street New Westminster V3M 5M2
$2,888,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2563014
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 2,920 sq. ft.
Large half-acre lot in popular Queensborough. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty (Langley) - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
218 CAMPBELL Street in New Westminster: Queensborough House for sale : MLS®# R2615254
218 CAMPBELL Street New Westminster V3M 5V5
$2,800,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2615254
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,850 sq. ft.
**8 LOT SUBDIVIDABLE PROPERTY with conjunction of 216 Campbell St** (Must purchase 218 + 216 Campbell for 8 sub dividable lots - LP $2.8M Each) 25,700 Square feet (80’ x 316’) property in the heart of Queensborough!!. No rezoning required the following will be provided with the sale: Active PLA, Civil drawings ready for city submission, Geo tech report Arborist report, Topo survey. Rare opportunity!! Property is near Elementary and Middle school, transit and shopping centers. More detailsListed by Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
216 CAMPBELL Street in New Westminster: Queensborough House for sale : MLS®# R2618313
216 CAMPBELL Street New Westminster V3M 5V5
$2,800,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2618313
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 1,300 sq. ft.
**8 LOT SUBDIVIDABLE PROPERTY** Must be purchased with ML# R2615254 No rezoning required the following will be provided with the sale: Active PLA, Civil drawings ready for city submission, Geo tech report Arborist report, Topo survey. Rare opportunity!! Property is near Elementary and Middle school, transit and shopping centers. (Must purchase 218 + 216 Campbell for 8 sub dividable lots - LP $2.8M Each) More detailsListed by Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
822 FIFTH Street in New Westminster: GlenBrooke North House for sale : MLS®# R2607466
822 FIFTH Street New Westminster V3L 2Y4
$2,700,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2607466
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 3,360 sq. ft.
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS ESTATE!! Magnificent custom-built home in most prestigious area of New Westminster. This modern style house has been constructed to the highest of building standards, with the lavish use of the best materials and supreme finishing to details. Open concept living&dinning space, with Retro-style brick wall and extensive used hardwood floor thru-out. Large gourmet kit with high-end cabinetry & high-performance stainless-steel appliances. Upper floor master bedroom offers a spacious walk-in closet and bathroom. 2nd and 3rd bedrooms share a double basin Jack & Jill bathroom. Basement w/ separate entry contains a one/two bedrooms suite can be your mortgage helper. Other features include A/C, HRV, large sundeck/patio, 2 car garage&2 carports & perfectly laid-out floor plan!!! More detailsListed by Jovi Realty Inc. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
2103 210 SALTER Street in New Westminster: Queensborough Condo for sale in "THE PENINSULA" : MLS®# R2593297
2103 210 SALTER Street New Westminster V3M 0J9
$2,650,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2593297
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,339 sq. ft.
STUNNING LUXURY WATERFRONT PH w/ IMPRESSIVE 936SF PRIVATE R/D in THE PENINSULA, located in Port Royal. 2 lvls spacious lvg w/ 3 BR + Study. Magnificent views of the spectacular water, mountain & city landscape. R/D is an entertainer’s dream w/ O/D f/p, kitch w/ BBQ, sink & bar fridge! Interiors - another level of luxury w/ herringbone entryway, bespoke millwork, Eng H/W flrs, Geothermal heating/cooling, expansive windows & balc. off lvg rm. Gourmet kitch. w/ Gaggenau appl, B/I espresso mach., wine fridge, Quartz waterfall island, Ital. cabinetry, abundant integrated stor. & large Kohler sink. Spa baths w/ quartz c/t, tiled walls & Nu heat. Concierge, Lounge, Theatre, Guest Suite, hot tub, steam rm & gym. Near parks, waterfront walkways & Q to Q Ferry – minutes to the Quay, Skytrain & shops More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Downtown Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
1719 LONDON Street in New Westminster: West End NW House for sale : MLS®# R2561614
1719 LONDON Street New Westminster V3M 3C9
$2,568,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2561614
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 4,109 sq. ft.
Stunning, custom European-built home in New West’s best neighbourhood! Charming exterior meets luxurious interior in this 7 bed/6 bath home on a huge lot (50x132). Main floor features 10" foot ceilings and bright, large windows. Wolf appliances, Cambria quartz countertops & backsplash, wok kitchen and built-in fridge in beautifully finished kitchen. Abundant patio space with a rooftop deck off the master bed. The french doors lead to the main walkout patio and yard with granite finishes for outdoor entertaining. Includes 3 laundry and 1 legal suite + potential for 2nd suite - great mortgage helper! Close to HWY, parks, Riverway Golf, Highgate Village, Burnaby Lake, Costco, Walmart & more. Connaught Heights Elementary & French Immersion École Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary down the street. More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Downtown Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
823 SANGSTER Place in New Westminster: The Heights NW House for sale : MLS®# R2599554
823 SANGSTER Place New Westminster V3L 4L7
$2,525,985Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2599554
- Floor Area:
- 2,300 sq. ft.
This home is to be sold in conjunction with 807, 809, 817, 819, 823 Sangster Place + 39 East Eighth Avenue - 46 765 square feet in land total. Bring your building ideas to this Site with a partial RGO zone. City Hall has looked and will be open to discussion. Townhomes or 6 story if permitted. This area is abundant with low rise and High-rise and Townhomes. Shopping a 1 min walk to all major stores, Bus to 5 Skytrain stations within 1 min walk. 1 minute drive to Burnaby. 10 minute drive to Surrey and Perimeter Highway and Highway One. 5 Top schools with Montessori/ French Immersion + the Justice Institute 1 minute walk. Condos + Townhomes being built capturing $1000-$1200 a sq ft. This is a good site for Social Cause or Family Living. The largest Assembly in the city, ready to go. More detailsListed by Stonehaus Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
