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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1411 MINTO Crescent in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2745889
1411 MINTO Crescent Vancouver V6H 2J6 
$13,988,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2745889
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 7,535 sq. ft.
Custom built home designed by famous designer BLACKMOOR in prestigious Shaughnessy ! This South -facing home has it all. Almost 7600 sq ft of quality finished living area. High ceiling foyer with grand chandelier, Fully upgraded in the past few years. Front & Back stairs, toilet & ensuites, wet bar & media rm, tremendous dining room overlooking onto the beautifully landscaped park like backyard. Double front & back staircase. Lots of skylight & large wood framed windows to induce natural lighting, high efficient furnace & air conditioning sys, 2 att'd & 2 det'd garages. NEW hot water tank .Beautifully landscaped garden .CLOSE to park, shopping center, bus stops and top schools - York House, Little Flower ! More detailsListed by Luxmore Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1466 - 1468 MCRAE Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy Townhouse for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2702271
1466 - 1468 MCRAE Avenue Vancouver V6H 0B2
$13,888,000Residential Attached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2702271
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 6,847 sq. ft.
Gorgeous view and Concrete & steel construction in First Shaugnessy! One of the Kind, 2 units combined into One, the Residences at The Crescent on McRae were built to stand the test of time. Concrete & steel construction, detailed brick & stone exterior with private elevator. Soaring coffered ceilings. Splendid Master bedroom ensuites w/walkout balconies. The absolute finest in Wolf & Sub Zero appliances, Eggersman German cabinetry & countless details throughout. Refined, gracious spaces with composite sightlines. Rooftop decks with stunning vantage to the West & North. More detailsListed by Royal Pacific Realty Corp. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1188 WOLFE Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2741222
1188 WOLFE Avenue Vancouver V6H 1V8
$13,880,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2741222
- Bedrooms:
- 9
- Bathrooms:
- 10
- Floor Area:
- 9,490 sq. ft.
SPLENDID MANSION sitting on 33,800 sqft lot in prestigious FIRST SHAUGHNESSY. The elegant heritage home features mountain and city views from all levels/w radiant floor heat. House has been completed renovated with while it's historical charm and characters are kept. Private setting with a park-like garden, a gated circular driveway and an outdoor pool provide a sensational outdoor lifestyle. This spectacular 8 bedroom, 9 bathroom home has been lovingly restored, emphasizing its heritage features like beautifully handcrafted oak and mahogany design details, dramatic exposed beams. Possibility to add a Coach House over 3000 sqf. Conveniently close to all the great amenities & top ranked schools nearby. 3D floor plan:https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=bFPjRphhkqD Open House Sat Dec 31, 2-4pm More detailsListed by Nu Stream Realty Inc. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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1638 MARPOLE Avenue in Vancouver: Shaughnessy House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2736622
1638 MARPOLE Avenue Vancouver V6J 2S1
$12,990,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2736622
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 7,301 sq. ft.
This meticulous private residence in First Shaughnessy area is a dream come true. It showcases 7,300 SqFt elegant living on a 17,115 SqFt garden lot. It offers 5 bdrm suites including master bedroom with vaulted ceilings & private balcony overlooking the water & mountain view. Principal rooms on main have hardwood floors. High ceiling living room w/view & French door. Gourmet kitchen w/ wok-room & eating area. Entertainment-sized dining room & family room has garden/patio view. Basement features Recreation room with wet-bar, infinite pool w/ jetted wave & hot tub down, guest bdrm. Attached triple car garage & private gate. Quick access to top schools, Granville shopping, Downtown, Granville Island, beach parks etc. Truly a great family home. Show with confidence. More detailsListed by Dracco Pacific 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®# R2683351
1433 ANGUS Drive Vancouver V6H 1V2
$12,700,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2683351
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- 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 - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
