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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1335 KAMLOOPS Street in New Westminster: Uptown NW Fourplex for sale : MLS®# R2627305
1335 KAMLOOPS Street New Westminster V3M 1V5 
$4,800,000Multifamily- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2627305
- Bedrooms:
- 11
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 4,630 sq. ft.
Amazing opportunity for smart investors/developers, rare 6plex zoned for medium rise 4-6 storeys. Turnkey operation & cash flow machine, generating $140,000/year income in heart of booming New West. Current zoning RM-5A Multi-Family Medium Rise, allowing 4-6 storey, apartment building, up to 25 units with 1.8 FSR. One 3 bdrm suite, three 2 bdrm suites + two bachelor suites; 11 bdrms, 6 separate entrances, 6 kitchens, common laundry, lots of parking. All units fully renovated: granite countertops, new flooring, etc; immaculate condition. Fully occupied, great month to month tenants. Walking distance to all amenities, New West Skytrain station, Douglas College, shopping & restaurants. Properties like this rarely available; Buy now, hold & develop in future. More detailsListed by SRS Westside Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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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
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1260 EWEN Avenue in New Westminster: Queensborough House for sale : MLS®# R2641550
1260 EWEN Avenue New Westminster V3M 5E4
$2,889,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2641550
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 5,625 sq. ft.
This elegant estate is situated on a quarter acre lot. Spacious Master suite w/sitting area featuring fireplace, ensuite w/glass shower, tub, Sauna, and large walk-in closet. Kitchen and family room have lots of open space. Well designed media room and huge crawl space for storage. Gourmet kitchen quartz counters,large island,Thermador appliances including 48”built-in fridge, Countertop range, dishwasher in main Kitchen, plus 48”six burner gas range, dishwasher, Fridge, built-in microwave, and Pantry in Wok-Kitchen. 5 bedrooms up, office on main and two-bedroom legal suite on the side with its own laundry and separate entry. Separate detached nanny suite at the backyard. See through fireplace between family room and back patio, remote controlled blinds in the family room. More detailsListed by Team 3000 Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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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
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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
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217 QUEENS Avenue in New Westminster: Queens Park Land for sale : MLS®# R2640210
217 QUEENS Avenue New Westminster V3L 1J7
$2,499,000Land Only- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2640210
Welcome to 217 Queens Avenue, Located in the heart of Queens Park. This super rare 10,430.23 SQ FT. lot allows you to Build your brand new dream home today. With a FSR of .51% you can build a 5319.42 Square foot home, and a Garage or Laneway with a 10% FSR build up to 1043 SQFT. CALL TODAY!!! More detailsListed by RE/MAX Crest Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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217 QUEENS Avenue in New Westminster: Queens Park House for sale : MLS®# R2641443
217 QUEENS Avenue New Westminster V3L 1J7
$2,499,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2641443
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 1,000 sq. ft.
Welcome to 217 Queens Avenue, located in the heart of Queens Park. This super rare lot allows you to Build your brand new dream home today. With a FSR of .51% you can build a 5319.42 square foot home, and a Garage or Laneway with a 10% FSR build up to 1043 SQFT. CALL TODAY!!! More detailsListed by RE/MAX Crest Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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934 CHILLIWACK Street in New Westminster: The Heights NW House for sale : MLS®# R2638545
934 CHILLIWACK Street New Westminster V3L 4V5
$2,388,800Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2638545
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 3,047 sq. ft.
Tastefully built luxury 6 bed 5 bath home on a 6060sf corner lot, located steps away from shopping, public transit, schools, parks, and more. This bright and spacious home features open concept kitchen with professional SS appliances, heated floors, A/C, HRV, Quartz countertops, alarm system, security cameras and covered balconies! The 2 bedroom legal suite makes great mortgage helper. The detached triple garage w/legal washroom has potential to be converted into laneway house. This won't last! Act before it is gone!!! More detailsListed by Team 3000 Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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807 SANGSTER Place in New Westminster: The Heights NW House for sale : MLS®# R2599538
807 SANGSTER Place New Westminster V3L 4L7
$2,257,920Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2599538
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,360 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 minimum. This is a good site for Social Cause or Family Living. The largest Assembly in the city, ready to go. Extremely livable homes to HOLD if desired. More detailsListed by Stonehaus Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
809 SANGSTER Place in New Westminster: The Heights NW House for sale : MLS®# R2599541
809 SANGSTER Place New Westminster V3L 4L7
$2,257,920Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2599541
- Floor Area:
- 2,377 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
