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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416 618 CARNARVON Street in New Westminster: Downtown NW Condo for sale in "618 CARNARVON" : MLS®# R2874227
416 618 CARNARVON Street New Westminster V3E 1E9 
$525,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2874227
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 455 sq. ft.
Unit 416 at 618 Carnarvon - This is the largest and most sought-after studio plan in the building, boasting a rare 130sqft private patio with gated direct access to the community garden! This garden flat is perfect for the those who value outdoor space. The "A2" plan features an ergonomic "L" shaped kitchen with integrated Bosch appliances, including a 24' gas cooktop. High quality finishings throughout. The home is flooded with natural light, the spacious living area has floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy a spa-like bathroom with floor-to-ceiling tiles. Strata fees cover central heating/cooling. Amenities include fitness gym, rooftop party room, and community BBQ. Steps away from skytrain and plenty of shops in DT New West. Parking can be purchased for 45k. More detailsListed by Rennie & Associates Realty Ltd.
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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310 385 GINGER Drive in New Westminster: Fraserview NW Condo for sale : MLS®# R2846792
310 385 GINGER Drive New Westminster V3L 5L6
$524,900Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2846792
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 848 sq. ft.
ATTENTION FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS! Welcome to Fraser Mews in New Westminster. This renovated 2 bedroom with 1 bathroom upper level suite is located in a family friendly complex. Bring the pets. Excellent location for schools, parks, and shopping. Easy access to the Highway. Well managed strata. Newly renovated with newer floors, newer bathroom, newer kitchen with stainless steel appliances, fresh paint. Comes with a balcony for outdoor enjoyment. Comes with a built in office space for remote working. Rentals allowed with great rental potential and great long term investment for redevelopment. Plenty of space, shows great, easy to view. Rentals allowed, pets allowed. Shared laundry on same floor. Comes with underground parking. Hurry this won't last! More detailsListed by eXp Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1102 814 ROYAL Avenue in New Westminster: Downtown NW Condo for sale : MLS®# R2876406
1102 814 ROYAL Avenue New Westminster V3M 1J9
$519,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2876406
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 555 sq. ft.
Sweeping views of the Fraser river, and city views from the balcony of this perfectly designed one bedroom and one bathroom unit. Minutes walk to all of the best downtown New Westminster amenities: sky train, the quay, restaurants and shoppingand Douglas College across the street. Enjoy fabulous amenities in the building with a gym, activities room, gardens and kids playground. Unit comes with large storage locker, underground parking stall, bike room and in suite laundry. Do not wait, this spectacular unit will not last long! Open house May 4th & May 5th 2pm-4pm More detailsListed by RE/MAX City Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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305 385 GINGER Drive in New Westminster: Fraserview NW Condo for sale in "FRASER MEWS" : MLS®# R2874068
305 385 GINGER Drive New Westminster V3L 5L6
$510,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2874068
- Bedrooms:
- 2
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 825 sq. ft.
Attention investors and first-time home buyers! Don't miss out on this fully renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo with two balconies. The unit features an open-concept kitchen and living area, ample storage, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, a new bathroom, upgraded fixtures, vinyl flooring, and more. You will love how modern this move-in-ready renovation is. Pets and rentals allowed. 1 parking. Conveniently located near the vibrant Queens Park, shopping, schools, transit, Tipperary park and Royal Columbian Hospital.Tenanted property. Showings by appointment Tuesdays 4-6pm. OPEN SATURDAY APRIL 27TH 1-3PM. More detailsListed by Royal LePage Sussex and Royal LePage Sterling Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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402 720 CARNARVON Street in New Westminster: Downtown NW Condo for sale : MLS®# R2866455
402 720 CARNARVON Street New Westminster V3M 6S2
$500,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2866455
- Bedrooms:
- 1
- Bathrooms:
- 1
- Floor Area:
- 680 sq. ft.
Calling all first-time buyers and their pets! This one-bedroom+den unit boasts a freshly painted kitchen and bathroom, new countertops, hard flooring, and an updated fireplace mantel. The large living room and small den overlook the courthouse and Douglas College. Save on your electric bill as gas for the fireplace is covered in the strata fee. TWO pets are allowed. Walking distance to TWO Skytrain stations. A reputable company BMS started the work for a plumbing renovation project to benefit the new owner. All applicable payment was provided by the Seller. Don’t miss this great opportunity to become an owner, no more renting sounds good, doesn’t it? Call your Realtor and book an appointment. Parking and Locker included. OH Sun, May 5, 1-3pm More detailsListed by Evergreen West Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
