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
-
2141 MARINE Way in New Westminster: Connaught Heights House for sale : MLS®# R2736015
2141 MARINE Way New Westminster V3M 2H2 
$2,299,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2736015
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,720 sq. ft.
Investor Alert! Rare opportunity to secure a great investment property in an excellent location. Located in Southwest New Westminster. Massive potential with upcoming OCP scheduled to be finalized shortly, which will designate the area for higher density. This is the perfect time to secure this corner lot. South of 22nd Station this area is planned for a high density transit hub. Live-in, rent out or temporarily hold the property. Tons of upside on this property. Steps for 22nd Street Station, close to all shopping schools and recreation. The city will be transforming this area, so invest now! More detailsListed by eXp Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
-
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
-
819 SANGSTER Place in New Westminster: The Heights NW House for sale : MLS®# R2599543
819 SANGSTER Place New Westminster V3L 4L7
$2,257,920Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2599543
- Floor Area:
- 2,730 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
-
817 SANGSTER Place in New Westminster: The Heights NW House for sale : MLS®# R2599548
817 SANGSTER Place New Westminster V3L 4L7
$2,257,920Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2599548
- 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
