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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1135 SALTER Street in New Westminster: Queensborough Land for sale : MLS®# R2549102
1135 SALTER Street New Westminster V3M 6A4 
$15,000,000Land Only- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2549102
Land only! 2.3Acre land already under review of development application for 44 townhouses of New Westminster city hall. More detailsListed by Homelife Benchmark Titus Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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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
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411 THIRD Avenue in New Westminster: Queens Park Multifamily for sale : MLS®# R2515379
411 THIRD Avenue New Westminster V3L 2S3
$4,998,800Multifamily- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2515379
- Bedrooms:
- 10
- Bathrooms:
- 11
- Floor Area:
- 6,343 sq. ft.
UNBEATABLE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! 11-unit multifamily building in prime Queens Park location in New Westminster. 17,667 sq.ft of land, nearly 10,000 sq.ft of living area, 10 self contained suites (Four studios & Six 1 bdrms), plus one caretaker suite (studio), plus separate five stall garage building. Separately metered for all utilities. Low maintenance costs of approx 10% of gross income. Low property tax. 3 laneways converging at rear of property. Updates incl new roof in 2006, newer HE boiler system, all electrical & copper piping done in 90's, clean environmental phase 1. Approx $213,000 of NET INCOME. Priced at a 5.45% cap rate. Currently accepting best offers over list price. 2020 AACI conservatively appraised at $4.7M. Clean Quick closing offers are given First priority. More detailsListed by The Firm Real Estate Services Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1335 KAMLOOPS Street in New Westminster: Uptown NW Multifamily for sale : MLS®# R2521011
1335 KAMLOOPS Street New Westminster V3M 1V5
$4,800,000Multifamily- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2521011
- Bedrooms:
- 11
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 4,630 sq. ft.
One-of-a-kind opportunity for shrewd investors, in heart of booming New West. Very rare 6plex is turnkey operation & cash flow machine, generating $120,000/year income. Current zoning is RM-5A Multi-Family Medium Rise, allowing 4-6 storey apartment building with 1.6-1.8 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: kitchens w/ granite countertops, bathrooms, 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. Watch value skyrocket in rapidly developing area. More detailsListed by SRS Westside Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1931 MARINE Way in New Westminster: Connaught Heights House for sale : MLS®# R2500784
1931 MARINE Way New Westminster V3M 2E4
$4,000,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2500784
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,880 sq. ft.
Excellent development opportunity with RM (Residential - Multiple Unit Buildings) potential zoning in Southwest New Westminster, very close to 22nd SkyTrain station. The lot is part of a land assembly with other 10 properties for a total of 86,000 sq.feet. Consider as land value only, however, the house is very well maintained with many renovations done over the years (metal roof, upgraded insulation, sound proofing windows, hot water tank & furnace) with 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, nice living-room, solarium and a private yard. More detailsListed by One Percent Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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101 COLLEGE Court in New Westminster: Queens Park House for sale : MLS®# R2556687
101 COLLEGE Court New Westminster V3L 1K8
$2,995,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2556687
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 4,294 sq. ft.
Gracious heritage style home but only 5 years old. Featuring high-end, tasteful finishings. 4294 sq. ft. Ample. room for family gatherings & entertaining. Elegant lvg rm w/gas f/p & din rm w/coffered ceilings, great room w/huge, gourmet kitchen, & fam rm w/beamed 15’ cathedral ceilings & gas f/p. Dream kitchen with huge marble island, 6 burner gas cooktop, double ovens, 72” built-in fridge/freezer & tons of counter space. Folding doors off family rm open up to the covered & heated patio. Lg guest suite on main w/big 5 pc. ensuite. 4 large bdrms up, all have beautiful ensuites. Luxurious main bdrm retreat has enormous walk-in closet & a spa-like bath, with double shower, double vanity & freestanding soaker tub. Huge 3 car garage with potential to be laneway home. Very desirable location across from beautiful Queens Park with all its green space and amenities. Almost 2500 sq. ft. of 4'9" high crawl space for tremendous storage. https://youtu.be/S4Gj41noRtY More detailsListed by RE/MAX All Points Realty - 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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129 JARDINE Street in New Westminster: Queensborough House for sale : MLS®# R2558383
129 JARDINE Street New Westminster V3M 5M2
$2,850,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2558383
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 2,990 sq. ft.
Investment Opportunity - 11 year old home built on 32.3' of the original lot - Potential for another (3) lots in the future + keep the 11 year old home with rental income of $4600.00 per month. More detailsListed by RE/MAX Progroup Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1706 NANAIMO Street in New Westminster: West End NW House for sale : MLS®# R2566454
1706 NANAIMO Street New Westminster V3M 2G6
$2,699,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2566454
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 4,057 sq. ft.
This is a WOW! Elegant/Luxury/Practical interior design in every corner of this masterpiece. Quality craftsmanship shows through the exterior of this almost brand new home to each level with amazing VIEW. Functional layout designed by an experienced & picky expert, includes spacious living & family room, fancy kitchen paired with a large island and top brand appliances,fully automated home system,double master beds on both level. Upper level has 4 good size rooms with own en-suite or J&J. Basement has 2-beds legal suite and bachelor in law, both has individual entrance. And also the entertainment space for owner. Close to everywhere, step away to all level of schools, shopping, restaurant, park and recreation facilities. More detailsListed by Nu Stream Realty Inc. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1806 TENTH Avenue in New Westminster: West End NW House for sale : MLS®# R2550612
1806 TENTH Avenue New Westminster V3M 3J5
$2,688,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2550612
- Bedrooms:
- 9
- Bathrooms:
- 9
- Floor Area:
- 5,007 sq. ft.
This is a modern, High-End and brand new home located in a very convenient neighborhood. 5 minutes walking distance to skytrain. Beautiful custom built home with radiant floors, A/C, HRV, built-in-vacuum, Security alarm & camera system, Smart Thermostat Nest, steam & handheld showers, Fire pit upper deck, BBQ hook up on deck, Theater room, 2 inwall toilets, Nano door open to main deck. Featuring 9 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 4 kitchens, 3 laundries. On the main floor, there is senior bedroom with en-suit bathroom, one powder room. While on second floor, there are four bedrooms & 3 bathrooms. Two bedroom & two bathroom in Laneway house, plus one bedroom legal rented unit in basement with separate entrances. Those rental units could be a good mortgage helper. (Laneway house: 690 sqft) More detailsListed by LeHomes Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
