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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904 CHILLIWACK Street in New Westminster: The Heights NW House for sale : MLS®# R2869043
904 CHILLIWACK Street New Westminster V3L 4V5 
$2,848,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2869043
- Bedrooms:
- 3
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 3,554 sq. ft.
This custom designed home by award winning Architect Randy Bens. Contemporary & open concept living, features a beautiful kitchen with built in Miele appliances, Caesarstone waterfall countertops & built in millwork throughout. Soaring 17ft floor-to-ceiling natural stone gas fireplace in the living rm w/folding doors that opens your outdoor living space and private patio, perfect for entertaining. Additional outdoor space throughout the home including a 21'8X20'3 roof top patio. Custom Millwork throughout with ample storage, no wasted space. Additional features include A/C, water on demand, Somfy automated blinds and the list goes on. Tastefully designed landscaping provides relaxation with its tranquil water feature. This house is truly a piece of art. Easy to show by appt. More detailsListed by RE/MAX All Points Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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126 SPRICE Street in New Westminster: Queensborough House for sale : MLS®# R2866449
126 SPRICE Street New Westminster V3M 5L4
$2,788,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2866449
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 3,313 sq. ft.
SUBDIVISION POTENTIAL. First time on the market! 70ft x 264ft lot (18,486 sq ft). Built in 1960, 5 bedroom/3 bathrooms, 3313 sq ft. RQ-1 zoning. Great property for investors to hold for future development. 2 lots could face Sprice St and 2 could face Howes St. Subdivision possibilities must be confirmed with the city. Close to schools, shopping, and transit. More detailsListed by Oakwyn Realty Ltd. - 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®# R2825866
92 GLOVER Avenue New Westminster V3L 2A3
$2,780,000Multifamily- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2825866
- Bedrooms:
- 9
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 4,550 sq. ft.
Unbelievable CASH-FLOW Opportunity! Amazing investment, this 6PLEX generates $12,000 rental income/month. 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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614 FOURTH Avenue in New Westminster: Uptown NW House for sale : MLS®# R2865465
614 FOURTH Avenue New Westminster V3M 1S4
$2,599,900Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2865465
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 3,579 sq. ft.
Luxury and elegance converge w/ a high walkability location in this timeless residence! This fully renovated home combines an updated Heritage exterior with a modern interior. Enjoy spacious 10ft ceilings on the main floor providing ample room for family activities, entertaining + home office. Enjoy triple paned windows, engineered hardwood floors, Italian-imported kitchen hardware and modern lighting. The spa-like Master bathroom features floor to ceiling tiles, heated floors and a sinker tub. Exterior upgrades include a new roof, siding and drain tiles. Enjoy every season on the alluring all-cedar deck w/ spacious backyard. Meticulously landscaped. The house comes w/ a modern 2 bdrm basement suite fully gutted. Turnkey home in the heart of the vibrant Uptown New West! OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY More detailsListed by RE/MAX City Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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305 SIXTH Avenue in New Westminster: GlenBrooke North House for sale : MLS®# R2861696
305 SIXTH Avenue New Westminster V3L 1T7
$2,599,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2861696
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 4,447 sq. ft.
Nestled within the coveted Glenbrook neighbourhood of New Westminster, this exceptional family residence sits upon an expansive 7,800 square foot lot, offering a remarkable blend of comfort and sophistication. Boasting more than 4,400 sqft of living space across three levels, this abode encompasses 6 bdrms and four baths, providing ample room for both relaxation and entertainment. On the main level is a spacious living room w/ gas fp that opens to a generous light-filled dining room. French doors lead to a covered outdoor deck, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living.The heart of this home resides in the gourmet eat-in kitchen, which exudes culinary excellence with its premium appl, incl a DCS 5-burner gas stove + SubZero fridge. With sunnier days ahead, you'll love the covered outdoor kitchen and dining area. Also feat: all-new windows, AC, an irrigation system, greenhouse + det garage. More detailsListed by Keller Williams Realty VanCentral - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
