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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1350 W 32ND Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2840094
1350 W 32ND Avenue Vancouver V6H 2J3 
$12,888,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2840094
- Bedrooms:
- 8
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 8,863 sq. ft.
Elegant Shaughnessy Residence designed by Loy Leyland on a QUIET tree-lined street! This 16 year young 8800+sf mansion sits on a massive 100*163.24=16324sf property w/a southern backyard. Main flr features cross hall fml living & dining, office, conservatory, gourmet main & wok kit, a large pantry + a guest bdrm w/ensuite bath. 5 bdrms & 5 baths on the 2nd level, large mstr suite w/sitting area, a spa like 6 pc bath & a large WIC & a private balcony. 3 levels of circular staircase. Basement boasts an indoor pool w/waterfall & hot tub, home theatre, large wine cellar & 2 extra bdrms. A 300sf gym next to the 3 car garage. Beautiful English garden w/a waterfall pond in the back. Superior material & craftsmanship! Close to VC., York House, St. George's, Crofton; short drive to YVR & DT. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1433 ANGUS Drive in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2773035
1433 ANGUS Drive Vancouver V6H 1V2
$12,700,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2773035
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 5,767 sq. ft.
PRESTIGIOUS FIRST SHAUGHNESSY location, this stunning Tudor-style mansion steps to "The Crescent". Over 5700+ SqFt of luxurious living features with existing house tastefully updated. Air-conditioning, open concept gourmet kitchen with wok kitchen and dining area. Four ensuite bedrooms on the upper floor & open study area. Entertainment-sized basement of the recreation room, media room, game room and nanny quarter. Top catchment schools and private schools nearby. Potential redevelopment of a new home. By Appointment ONLY! More detailsListed by Heller Murch Realty and Sutton Group - 1st West Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1233 LAURIER Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2870869
1233 LAURIER Avenue Vancouver V6H 1Y7
$12,680,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2870869
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 9
- Floor Area:
- 8,394 sq. ft.
Urban Oasis in the heart of First Shaughnessy. Approx 8400sf elegant residence on a 100x200 world class property. A rarely available PERFECT 1st Shaughnessy piece: the house was built 1995 (can be torn down and built new), north south facing w/lane access, level lot, quiet and private. Double height foyer, extensive use of millwork, crown moldings, faux painting, superior craftsmanship, A/C & radiant heating. Impressive principal rooms on the main; 4 large bdrms all w/ensuite on the 2nd flr; basement boasts wine cellar, bar, theatre, rec rm, 2 extra bdrms. The exterior and gardens have been completely revamped in 2015. 4 car garage. Walking distance to York House; prestigious & central location, easy access to YVR, DT & UBC. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1375 W KING EDWARD Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2808797
1375 W KING EDWARD Avenue Vancouver V6H 2A1
$12,000,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2808797
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 5,774 sq. ft.
Investor's alert! Many potentials for this big lot along W King Edward Ave. Big lot of 20,000 sf with very central and convenient location. One block to Granville Street, close to shopping centers, excellent private and public schools, public transportations and parks. The property itself is a breath-taking mansion sitting on this big and flat lot. Interior was intensively renovated by Loy Leyland in 2010. Award-winning landscape leads the flow of good Feng Shui to bring harmony into the home. Excellent condition to move in! keep it or rebuild it. Rare and great chance for home-owners, investors or developers! No trespassing or knocking at the door. Seriously inquiry only! More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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3989 ANGUS Drive in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2870077
3989 ANGUS Drive Vancouver V6J 4H8
$11,980,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2870077
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 6,512 sq. ft.
Georgie Best Interior Award! Stately & posh upper class British Tudor Mansion on Angus in prestigious First Shaughnessy. Situated on park like 90 x 200. Designed & built by the Shaughnessy All Star Team: Loy Leyland (architect) Carol Faan (interiors) & Copa (Builder). Well conceived, crafted & adorned, this elegant bejewelled Haute Couture piece (think Hermes, Van Cleefs, Patek, Bentley) feels larger than its 6500sf - impressive double height foyer entrance, cross-hall living & dining, all principal rms luxuriously sized w/over-abundance of quality wainscoting & millwork throughout, expertly finished to the epitome of craftsmanship. Imagine living life a Duke & Duchess! Check out the elegant Italian stove + the 5 Star in the wok kitchen. Right across from Shaughnessy Elem, York House, LFA. More detailsListed by Sutton Group-West Coast Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
