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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3416 CEDAR Crescent in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2715110
3416 CEDAR Crescent Vancouver V6J 2R3 
$18,500,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2715110
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 7
- Floor Area:
- 6,260 sq. ft.
Luxurious custom built world class mansion in most prestigious FIRST SHAUGHNESSY area! Superior standards with high quality materials, workmanship & appliances on a sensational open floor plan sprawled over 4 levels. Situated on a large lot 14,659 SF, boasts 6260 SF elegant living space. This beautiful home with professional exterior and interior design, offers Gourmet Chef's Kitch w/high-end cabinetry and all top brand appls, delightful eating area with cozy bay windows; Master bdrm is oversized with walk in closet and spa like ensuite. Eclipse French Drs, inset panelling, Wine Cellar, Media rm, swimming pool, Jaccuzi & outdoor Cabana. Beautiful landscaped garden. Meticulous attention to detail. Truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship & architectural splendour. More detailsListed by eXp Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1438 W 32ND Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2719131
1438 W 32ND Avenue Vancouver V6H 2J3
$17,998,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2719131
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 10
- Floor Area:
- 10,510 sq. ft.
Elements Estates' is a recently completed multi-award-winning, exquisitely designed grand-scale 6 bedroom, 10 bathroom luxury residence situated majestically on a beautifully landscaped private estate in Vancouver’s most coveted Shaughnessy enclave. Exquisite design, master craftsmanship and opulent finishes blend seamlessly to create an international masterpiece while embracing the security and convenience of today’s modern indoor outdoor lifestyle. Experience an impeccable choice of quality materials together with every luxury appointment imaginable including Creston Home Automation, private elevator, indoor swimming pool - spa, gym, state of the art home theatre, billiard room, wet bar, temperature controlled wine room plus outdoor dining terrace with TV, bar, BBQ + 3 vehicle garage. More detailsListed by Angell, Hasman & Associates (Malcolm Hasman) Realty Ltd. and Angell, Hasman & Associates Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1316 CONNAUGHT Drive in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2694788
1316 CONNAUGHT Drive Vancouver V6H 2H3
$17,500,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2694788
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 7
- Floor Area:
- 9,615 sq. ft.
Spectacular Mansion in Shaughnessy!Gorgeous contemporary custom built in 2004, designed by famous designer, lots of renovation in 2018. Big lot of 19,301 sqft with 9,615 sqft luxurious living area: 5 bdrms, 1 den & 8 bathrooms. Modern & elegant, superb materials & craftsmanship. Gourmet kitchen with high end appliance. Upper level with 4 bedrooms, dream master suite w/oval ceiling, spa like ensuite & closet. Down has an ensuite. Home theatre with state of art AV system, wet bar, huge recreation room and wonderful indoor pool w/hot tub, steam, sauna & designer landscaped garden. Shaughnessy Elementary and Eric Hamber Secondary School catchment. Close to private schools. Exceptional home in Vancouver's finest neighbourhood! Must have choice! More detailsListed by Luxmore Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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3689 SELKIRK Street in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2746106
3689 SELKIRK Street Vancouver V6H 2Y9
$17,355,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2746106
- Bedrooms:
- 12
- Bathrooms:
- 12
- Floor Area:
- 12,586 sq. ft.
A grand Tudor Revival mansion situated in the heart of Shaughnessy, built on nearly a 40K sf land with fully renovated inside and out to satisfy the needs of modern day comfort living. The building comes with two parts in structure with a library bridging the Main House and a Coach House on the 2nd floor.The Main house in 4 levels features a soaring high ceiling with oak carved staircase at entrance to this magnificent home, 2 separate staircases, 9 bds, 12 bths, and brand new gourmet kitchen and a spicy kitchen. A wide and high up back patio overlooking the greenery of the huge backyard, and a beautiful rose pergola connecting to a lovely tea house at the end of the brick pathway. Priced almost $3 Millions lower than the current government assessed value! Act quick before it's gone! More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1461 CONNAUGHT Drive in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2743708
1461 CONNAUGHT Drive Vancouver V6H 2H5
$16,880,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2743708
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 9,072 sq. ft.
Shaughnessy Mansion: 9000 SF elegantly crafted, luxuriously appointed, beautiful living on 100 x 145 flat lot. Grand entry w/Italian Versace tiles. marbleized glazed walls with wainscoting, high quality crystal chandeliers. Every room is generously sized. Cross hall living & dining rooms, gourmet kitchen & wok kitchen featuring top of the line appliances, office + an ensuited bedroom on main, 4 bedrooms up all with individual ensuites. Basement with indoor pool & hot tub, sauna/steam room, re room, home theatre, exercise room, big wine cellar, nanny quarters. Combined wow effect of which is like a shiny pretty elegant 40 carat gemstone. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
