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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1601 10 LAGUNA Court in New Westminster: Quay Condo for sale in "LAGUNA LANDING" : MLS®# R2746605
1601 10 LAGUNA Court New Westminster V3M 6W3 
$788,800Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2746605
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,137 sq. ft.
Open House on Sunday, Jan29th at 1-3pm! Location Location! STUNNING 2 Bdrm/2 Bthrm unit OVERLOOKING the Fraser River & Mount Baker! This unit is one of a kind! Unbelievable spacious kitchen w/ loads of cabinets, counter space an easy transition from a house to this condo! Fantastic OPEN layout w/ oversized floor to ceiling windows capturing the amazing view from every room, cozy gas fireplace, insuite laundry, covered deck w/ direct access from every room great for BBQing & entertaining! Excellent building w/ fully equipped gym, resident caretaker & car wash area. ONLY steps to the Quay Boardwalk, Quayside Market, Parks, Skytrain, Transit, Shopping & Schools. Building has been re-piped, Rain screened, new fire panel, EV Chargers! Great peace of mind! 2 Secure U/G Parking, visitor parking & 1 locker. 100% Rentals & 2 pets OK! More detailsListed by RE/MAX All Points Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1404 420 CARNARVON Street in New Westminster: Downtown NW Condo for sale : MLS®# R2737320
1404 420 CARNARVON Street New Westminster V3L 5P1
$788,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2737320
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,358 sq. ft.
Property located in the center of New Westminster, Close to everything. minutes walk to the river beach and in-building direct elevator to skytrain (Columbia Station). Large 3 bed rooms, rarely to find from the market. Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Steam room and gym room available. Newly Renovate easy to show! More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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105 12 K DE K Court in New Westminster: Quay Condo for sale in "DOCKSIDE" : MLS®# R2746267
105 12 K DE K Court New Westminster V3M 6C5
$764,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2746267
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,275 sq. ft.
Ground floor unit in DOCKSIDE offers 1275 sq ft of living space with a lovely WATERFRONT RIVER VIEW! This 3 BED + 2 BATH unit offers hardwood floors, gas FP, crown molding throughout, plenty of storage, & a pet-friendly building. Well maintained, partially rain-screened with newer elevator, re-done lobby, updated patios & balconies, 1 parking. DOCKSIDE on the Quay is one of New Westminster’s best locations, steps away from the market, sky-train, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, boardwalk and more. More detailsListed by Keller Williams Realty VanCentral - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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407 610 VICTORIA Street in New Westminster: Downtown NW Condo for sale : MLS®# R2723944
407 610 VICTORIA Street New Westminster V3M 0A5
$759,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2723944
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 990 sq. ft.
There is no point if it is not "The Point"! This large & bright corner unit is ideal for everyone! Spacious 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, large kitchen with 2 windows and lots of natural light! Living room features wall-to-ceiling windows and a large balcony!Rented for $ 2600/month, Lease ends January 2023 .Large master bedroom can easily accommodate king-size bed plus a walk-through closet. Amazing & central location in DT New West, close to shopping, transit, schools, recreation, skytrain, cinema, & much more! Fantastic amenities that include indoor pool/hot tub, sauna, gym, media room, & lounge. More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1612 271 FRANCIS Way in New Westminster: Fraserview NW Condo for sale in "PARKSIDE" : MLS®# R2745673
1612 271 FRANCIS Way New Westminster V3L 0H2
$759,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2745673
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 970 sq. ft.
Ready to move in now!! Welcome to Parkside @ Victoria Hill Community. View, view, view from every room. beautiful NE facing 2 bedroom + flex room + 2 bathrooms features; floor to ceiling windows to optimize the stunning view of Fraser river and mountains, laminate flooring throughout the lush carpet in the bedrooms, clean white kitchen w/ stainless steel appliances, gas cook top, quartz countertops, spa like ensuite with side by side sinks, separate glass shower and tub, and walk in closet with organizer in master bedroom, 2 side by side parking and 1 storage locker. Great amenities include gym, yoga studio, outdoor pool & hot tub, concierge, and guest suites. EV charging available. More detailsListed by RE/MAX All Points Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
