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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PH01 200 NELSON'S Crescent in New Westminster: Sapperton Condo for sale : MLS®# R2737113
PH01 200 NELSON'S Crescent New Westminster V3L 0H4 
$3,150,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2737113
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 3,683 sq. ft.
Penthouse 1 at The Sapperton by award winning Westgroup. This luxury 2-level corner residence has nearly 2800 sq ft of indoor living, and boasts 4 balconies, large 2nd level rooftop deck and a rooftop terrace off the living room with space for an outdoor dining table, lounge set, BBQ area, and garden. Unobstructed views of the Fraser River, North Shore Mnts and SFU. This 2 Bedroom/3 Bathroom home is set to impress! The large Principle Bedroom features a large wrap around balcony, floor to ceiling corner windows, gas fireplace and is paired with an impressive walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom. Enjoy the 70 sq ft steam shower, rainshower with body jets and freestanding bathtub, large bathroom vanity and water closet in this amazing bathroom. The 8 car garage will blow away any car lover, boasting a private 2607 SF finish garage and 909 sf storage room like no other. Garage and storage room have custom flooring and lighting along with an EV charger. Call for your private view of this home today! More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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607 TWENTIETH Street in New Westminster: West End NW House for sale : MLS®# R2746271
607 TWENTIETH Street New Westminster V3M 4W1
$2,950,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2746271
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,243 sq. ft.
Builders and Investors Alert! Prime ReDevelopment Lot! Currently there is 3 bed and 2 baths 1,243 sq ft home on the lot. Potential for larger land assembly and multi story development in this highly sought after area in New West! Close to parks, restaurants and a short walk away from transit. More detailsListed by Stonehaus Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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92 GLOVER Avenue in New Westminster: GlenBrooke North Fourplex for sale : MLS®# R2728797
92 GLOVER Avenue New Westminster V3L 2A3
$2,899,000Multifamily- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2728797
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 4,550 sq. ft.
Unbelievable CASH-FLOW Opportunity! Amazing investment, this 6PLEX generates $136,000 rental income/yr. If you're looking for an income producing property, this is the one. Siting on an 8000 sq.ft. duplex lot, with zoning allowing for higher density. One 3-bed suite, one 2-bed suite, 2 1-bed suites, + 2 bachelor suites. 4500 sq ft living area, separate entrances for each unit. Solid home, great condition with updates done throughout. Lots of parking, carport with back lane access. Centrally located in New West, one block from shopping complex with Safeway & Mcdonalds, 2 blocks to schools, rec centre, parks, and bus stop, easy access to major routes. Don't miss this amazing opportunity! More detailsListed by SRS Westside Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1507 HAMILTON Street in New Westminster: West End NW House for sale : MLS®# R2746448
1507 HAMILTON Street New Westminster V3M 2N5
$2,888,888Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2746448
- Bedrooms:
- 8
- Bathrooms:
- 7
- Floor Area:
- 4,605 sq. ft.
Brilliant designed beautiful home locates in the prime neighborhood of New Westminster. Quality craftsmanship shows through the exterior of the house to each level. Functional layout designed by an experienced expert, includes spacious living & family room, fancy kitchen paired with a large island, extra spacious spicy kitchen, a good size bedroom with full bath on main floor for senior or home office; Upper level has 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms. Basement features one 2-beds legal suite and also big theater and 1 bed + 1 bath flex area with separate entrance for owner's use; minutes away to shopping, restaurant, schools and transits. Extra large triple heated garage with separate alarm system is definitely a bonus. Must see, Call now More detailsListed by Nu Stream Realty Inc. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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2103 210 SALTER Street in New Westminster: Queensborough Condo for sale : MLS®# R2736667
2103 210 SALTER Street New Westminster V3M 0J9
$2,650,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2736667
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,339 sq. ft.
STUNNING VIEWS! Impressive 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,300 sq.ft. PENTHOUSE in the Pennisula at Port Royal. Never get bored staring at the same 4 walls with its open main floor living space that features floor to ceiling windows and sweeping views to the north, east and south. Cook and entertain in the gourmet kitchen that includes Gaggenau appliances, BI expresso machine, BI wine fridge and entertairunent sized island. Private 2nd floor space has 3 bedrooms including the primary with its soaker tub and separate shower. The 3rd floor 900 sq.ft . rooftop deck is an entertainer's dream with panoramic views, outdoor fireplace and a BBQ area. Amenities include guest suite, fitness centre, movie theatre and concierge service. A truly unique home for those looking to make the most out of condo living More detailsListed by Macdonald Realty Westmar - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
