Shaughnessy, Vancouver’s Upper Crust Neighbourhood
The Grandeur of Shaughnessy
The Shaughnessy neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is one of grand heritage homes. Its borders are 16th and 41st avenues on the north and south and Oak and Arbutus streets on the east and west. Shaughnessy is not a good fit for the Vancouver grid pattern of streets and avenues; instead, many roads loop and meander with the hilly terrain of the highest area in the city aside from nearby Queen Elizabeth Park. The neighbourhood’s estimated population is 9,000. Its name commemorates Thomas Shaughnessy, the American chief executive of the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1899 to 1918 when the king raised him to the British peerage as a first baron in 1916.
Shaughnessy has sprawling homes with enormous gardens. In September 2010 the average house sale price was $2,955,059. Average neighbourhood annual household income is $136K+, considerably higher than the Metro Vancouver average. In Shaughnessy, 51.5 percent of neighbourhood housing dates from before or during the Second World War II compared to 20.8 percent city-wide. The objective of the December 1998 First Shaughnessy Official Development Plan of the City of Vancouver is “to protect and preserve Shaughnessy’s unique pre–1940 character.” Two neighbourhood streets, Beverly Crescent and Cedar Crescent, have the highest average home values nationwide.
The Three Shaughnessys
The Canadian Pacific Railway developed the land for the First Shaughnessy neighbourhood in the early 1900s. The federal government in Ottawa granted the railroad, then the largest Canadian real estate developer, Old Shaughnessy north of King Edward Avenue as an inducement to extend its service to the West Coast. “First Shaughnessy” between 16th and 25th avenues and Oak Street and East Boulevard was the first such Canadian Pacific-developed subdivision. The area subsequently extended south of King Edward as far as 41st Avenue. The success and appeal of First Shaughnessy were so great that in the late ’20s and early ’30s development of adjacent land created the Second and then the Third Shaughnessy, where lots and houses are mostly smaller and more modest but still impressive by any measure.
Neighbourhood Attractions
A main Shaughnessy attraction is the VanDusen Botanical Garden, from 1911 to 1960 home of the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club as lessor and tenant of the Canadian Pacific Railway until the club moved to a new location. The railroad proposed a subdivision, which many influential citizens opposed, so in 1966 the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association formed to assist the Vancouver Park Board in acquiring and redeveloping the property. Acquisition and redevelopment funds came from the City of Vancouver, the British Columbia Government, the Vancouver Foundation, largest of Canada’s community foundations, and industrialist/philanthropist W J VanDusen, the garden’s namesake. VanDusen Botanical Garden opened in August 1975.
The Heritage Vancouver Society sponsors weekend morning two-hour walking tours of Shaughnessy architectural wonders and landscaping delights. The Glen Brae Mansion on Matthews Avenue, once after its career as a private home the headquarters building of the Canadian Ku Klux Klan and now the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, features twin, domed towers framing its front entrance. Hycroft Manor on McRae Avenue between Marpole Avenue and The Crescent around Shaughnessy Park, perhaps Vancouver’s most fashionable address, has 30 rooms on five acres housing the University Women’s Club of Vancouver since 1962. Hycroft Manor is open to the public for the club’s annual fundraiser, Christmas at Hycroft, and for many other events throughout the year.
Information Links:
http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/shaughnessy.aspx http://former.vancouver.ca/parks/cc/douglas/website/index.html
http://vancouver.ca/docs/planning/arbutus-ridge-kerrisdale-shaughnessy-arks-community-vision-full-report.pdf
New Shaughnessy Live MLS Listings
Shaughnessy, Vancouver's Upper Crust Neighbourhood
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1351 LAURIER Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2744899
1351 LAURIER Avenue Vancouver V6H 1Y9 
$26,800,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2744899
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 8,824 sq. ft.
Rarely available in Prestigious First Shaughnessy, Gorgeous Spanish Style 8,824 sf luxurious mansion sitting on a 20,000 sf south facing manicured garden. Designed by award winning architect Loy Leyland, this unique custom 3 level mansion offers 4 oversized ensuits upstairs, 1 guest suite on main, & 1 on bsmt, 8 baths. Private elevator, Grand foyer with 20+ feet doom ceiling, spacious living and dining area entertain your guests, functional layout, top line of appliances, craftsmanship walnut window trim, extensively applies Italian marble tiles and engineering hardwood floor. Waterworks hand made water tap and sink, The Gallery sink, Versace wall paper, etc. Ceaser stone countertop and onyx backsplash imported from Italy, hand made fireplace, European gutter. Manicured garden full of expensive ginkgos, Hollies, roses, magnolias. Gym, wine bar, billiard room in basement, enjoy the sunken garden. Close to Little Flower Academy and York House, Easy access to DT, YVR, Richmond. More detailsListed by Luxmore Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1738 ANGUS Drive in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2672622
1738 ANGUS Drive Vancouver V6J 4H5
$24,998,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2672622
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 7
- Floor Area:
- 7,984 sq. ft.
1738 Angus Drive presents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Vancouver’s most iconic estates. Sitting on a sprawling 51,000 square foot lot at the corner of Angus Drive and Alexandra Street, this elegant mansion is surrounded by magnificent gardens, meandering walkways, a tranquil pond, fountains and thoughtful stonework. Originally built in 1923 and then extensively renovated and restored in 1997 by architect John Hollifield, the home boasts 8,000 square feet of exquisite detail, superior craftsmanship and quality finishings. More detailsListed by Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1318 MINTO Crescent in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2697014
1318 MINTO Crescent Vancouver V6H 2J5
$24,800,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2697014
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 9
- Floor Area:
- 9,949 sq. ft.
Simply breathtaking! Rarely does a home of this caliber come to market. Situated on a stunning 26,581 sf corner property, you’ll immediately appreciate the privacy & the abundance of light that cascades into your garden & home. Enjoy the amenities of the south facing terrace & yard complete with pool, hot tub, cabana & games court. Relax, take in the ambiance of your surroundings & enjoy access to your expansive great room, chef’s kitchen & secondary kitchen. This 10,000 home features 5 bedrooms-four up-the primary room being your sanctuary from a busy day. Gym, recreation & golf room & fabulous attached garage. A majestic home that is second to none & strategically located to provide easy access to downtown Vancouver, the airport & the most prestigious schools. An extremely rare offering. More detailsListed by Faith Wilson Group - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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3537 OSLER Street in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2738190
3537 OSLER Street Vancouver V6H 2W4
$23,800,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2738190
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 9
- Floor Area:
- 10,880 sq. ft.
Thoughtfully designed by architect Loy Leyland and custom built by Trevor Jones - an iconic and legacy westside home builder with over 40 years of experience. From the grand marble-tiled entry lobby with sweeping double staircase to two fairytale turrets overlooking the lush greenery of Shaughnessy Vancouver, this magnificent home is a modern interpretation of the original Arts and Crafts mansions built for executives of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the leafy enclave of Shaughnessy over a century ago. Handcrafted by artisans with irreplaceable details such as porte-cochere, venetian plastered walls and murals, 20 ft double height dining hall with curved ceiling. Here, exquisite traditional craftsmanship and modern comforts blend to create the finest of old and new. More detailsListed by Icon&co. Boutique Inc. and Macdonald Realty Westmar - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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3402 OSLER Street in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2736646
3402 OSLER Street Vancouver V6H 2W3
$21,990,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2736646
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 9
- Floor Area:
- 9,714 sq. ft.
WORLD CLASS custom built First Shaughnessy Mansion just off "The Crescent" on the most prestigious part of Osler Street, painstakingly crafted by the first owner & lovingly cared for by the long term second owner. Renowned Architect Loy Leyland, Master Builder John Blackmore & Interior Designer Joey Chan. 103x229=23,630sf beautifully landscaped; close to 10,000 sf of luxurious living w/ superior quality, elegant interior, bright & open floor plan. 6 spacious bdrms (all ensuite) + 2 offices. City & mountain VIEWs from master bdrm w/ open deck. Dream kitchen w/ top notch appliances & wok kitchen. Breakfast nook & family rm overlooks "stand alone" indoor swimming pool & hot tub area. Spanish Stone Slate Roof. Fully fenced mature garden w/ heated circular driveway to 4-car garage at rear. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
