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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1626 AVONDALE Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2844864
1626 AVONDALE Avenue Vancouver V6M 1S1 
$14,980,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2844864
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 5,125 sq. ft.
Meticulously custom-built home sitting on 89'x175' lot, in the most desirable Shaughnessy neighborhood. Inspired by traditional European architecture w/ modern touches around every corner. 5125 sqft luxury living space w/ smart home system, exceptional quality finishing features 3 bdrms up & 2 bdrms in the basement, steam/sauna, wine cellular and theater/rec. rm. Semi-precious, translucent fossil granite countertops and a hidden stainless steel, industrial Wok kitchen contribute to the home’s contemporary interior design. The open concept extends outdoors to a stunning 40 ft infinity edge pool and jacuzzi wrapped with stained teak decking and surrounded by manicured Zen Gardens, putting green, a creek, soothing waterfall, Japanese Garden and cherry blossoms. A true unique masterpiece! More detailsListed by RE/MAX Crest Realty and Luxmore Realty
- 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®# R2864970
1461 CONNAUGHT Drive Vancouver V6H 2H5
$14,880,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2864970
- 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
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1637 ANGUS Drive in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2848659
1637 ANGUS Drive Vancouver V6J 4H2
$13,888,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2848659
- Bedrooms:
- 12
- Bathrooms:
- 12
- Floor Area:
- 12,195 sq. ft.
Once in a lifetime does a FIRST SHAUGHNESSY MULTI GENERATIONAL ELEGANT, MAJESTIC & STUNNING home like this come to market in a quiet location! 12,195sf, 12 bed & 14 bath over 3 Residences. Restored & reconstructed w/ NO EXPENSE SPARED in 2003, the warm Primary MAIN home feat. dramatic millwork w/ real hardwood floors, exudes character, class & quality of yester year while still maintaining modern craftsman appeal! The SECONDARY main 3 bed 2.5 bath home carries on the same character as the Primary with an updated feel! The 2,865sf COACH HOUSE, built in 2003 to the same quality of the main house, is a fantastic, elegant 3 bed 2.5 bath home with its own 2 car garage & basement! There are 2 more fully ready INLAW suites with separate access ready for the whole family! Private appointment only. More detailsListed by Prompton Real Estate Services Inc. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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5376 CONNAUGHT Drive in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2773408
5376 CONNAUGHT Drive Vancouver V6M 3G6
$13,880,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2773408
- Bedrooms:
- 8
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 7,520 sq. ft.
Carefully designed and crafted by renowned Formwerks Architectural, this stunning 8-bedroom mansion offers you the most luxurious living style in Vancouver Westside. Interior is definitely at the highest tier, hand-picked Italian Marble countertop and floor tile, Schonbeck Crystal Chandeliers, Custom made KOHLER sinks, Gaggenau Fridge and top brand Kitchen Appliances, all elevate your lifestyle onto a totally different level. This exclusive home also features a spacious wok kitchen to host a feast, and a comforting, well-landscaped garden for your ultimate relaxation. Never miss the specticular 5 car garage provides space for your supercar, family SUVs and all your favourite ride.Carefully designed and crafted by renowned Formwerks Architectural, this stunning 8-bedroom mansion offers you More detailsListed by Macdonald Platinum Marketing Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1238 BALFOUR Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2848772
1238 BALFOUR Avenue Vancouver V6H 1X5
$13,800,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2848772
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 7,377 sq. ft.
This magnificent luxury residence is situated a privately situated, gated property on one of the most prized tree lines streets in Vancouver’s most coveted First Shaughnessy neighborhood. The architectural elegance with its bold shake exterior and beautiful landscape create an impressive 5 bedroom. 8 bathroom family home with over seven thousand three hundred square feet of formal and informal living on three expansive levels. Exquisite design, master craftsmanship and opulent finishes blend seamlessly to create a timeless masterpiece while embracing the security and convenience of today’s most up-to-date technology. additional features include: large principal rooms including a large gourmet kitchen, wok kitchen, home theatre, wine room, spa room and 3 car garage. More detailsListed by Angell, Hasman & Associates (Malcolm Hasman) Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
