In the Canadian City of Vancouver, British Columbia, the affluent westside neighbourhood of Kerrisdale lies between 33d Avenue on the north, Blenheim Street on the west, West Avenue on the east, and the Fraser River on the south. Commercial shopping districts are along West 41st Avenue from Larch to Maple streets and along West Boulevard from 37th to 47th avenues.
The 2006 Census reported 14,615 inhabitants. Originally thoroughly British demographically, Kerrisdale has received since the mid ’80s an influx of affluent Hong Kong emigrants, many of whom have built large, modern houses, making Kerrisdale an architectural mixture of lavish new and renovated houses. In 2007, Blocktalk.ca reported an estimated median annual household income of $113,286, much higher than the average for Metro Vancouver generally.
History
In 1862, the McCleery family became the first to farm the land of the present McCleery Golf Course on the river. By the mid-1870s, with many more families farming the area, the logging industry was well underway. A local legend is that “Kerrisdale” is a corruption of “Kerry’s Dale,” the ancestral home in Scotland of an early resident who, when asked to choose a name for a British Columbia Electric Railway station for the area, made that choice. In 1912, the streetcar went from Kerrisdale along then-graveled 41st Avenue to Granville Street, where connecting service took passengers to Downtown Vancouver.
Until 1929, when they merged to form the City of Vancouver, three municipalities, Vancouver, South Vancouver, and Point Grey, which included Kerrisdale, provided local government services. Point Grey Secondary School, founded in 1929, and the Point Grey Golf & Country Club recall those earlier days. The Kerrisdale Community Centre now occupies the block on which the Point Grey Municipal office once stood.
Kerrisdale Business Association
The West 41st Avenue businesses between Larch and Maple streets belong to the Kerrisdale Business Association. In all, about 250 businesses and property owners are members. Established in 1990, it is the oldest business association in Vancouver. Members fund general area maintenance and beautification, hiring a full-time gardener during summer months. The association employs for its properties a nighttime security force that operates during daytime hours as well in December.
Every September, association members elect a board of directors of about 25 individuals who then appoint executive officers. The full board meets on the first Wednesday of every month. Dedicated board members engage fully in committees on beautification, finance, marketing, parking, publicity, and security.
Inevitably, there must be a downside to the steady rise in Kerrisdale property values. As an example, Thomas Hobbs opened a gift shop on West 41st Avenue near West Boulevard in the heart of the business association area in 1989 and operated it for 23 years until closing in December 2012. Hobbs said the gift shop was Vancouver’s “home store” for which he travelled to Italy and France for high-end merchandise artfully displayed behind his store windows. Hobbs lamented that most shoppers now seem to prefer big box stores over independent retailers.
Hobbs said the gift shop is not the only victim of Kerrisdale’s changing times. To make that point, his 2012 Halloween storefront display had tombstones etched with the names of other Kerrisdale independent businesses that have closed in recent years. Hobbs said annual rent on his retail space had increased tremendously to $120,000, half of which pays the landlord’s property tax. He estimated that he has paid millions of dollars in rent since opening the shop in 1989.
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Winner's trophy, this extremely private and very rare 1/2 acre property is located in the most prime section of Kerrisdale. Features palatial Estate boasts jaw-dropping English garden with massive lawns, oversized pool, a private park. The home has been constructed with the most exquisite taste showcasing rare and decadent materials with stunning light exposure throughout. The main house features a grand Georgian character outlook, generously large dining room, office/study, a family room with stone fireplace leading to outdoor park and pool area. Master suite with massive closet, picture-like view. 4 other family bedrooms including the 4th bedroom suite on the 3rd level. A guest room with ensuite in lower lever. Close to McCleery Golf Course, Crofton House School and UBC ...More details
An exclusive 18,961 square feet development opportunity with side by side lots on a quiet, private cul-de-sac off Balaclava on Southlands Place. Easy access to best schools and UBC. Bring your best dreams to develop this rare opportunity in an exclusive enclave. House is in original condition and sold " as is where is" and offered below assessment at $8,500,000. Owner has requested a one year rent back while your plans are developed. Permission required to walk on property. Please call agent. No sign by owner's request.More details
An exclusive 18,961 sf development opportunity with side by side lots on a quiet, private cul-de sac off Balaclava on Southlands Place. Easy access to best schools & UBC. Bring your best dreams to develop this rare opportunity in an exclusive enclave. House is in original condition and sold " as is where is". Property offered below assessment at $8,500,000. Owner has requested a one year rent back while your plans are developed. Permission required to walk on property. Please contact listing agent. No sign by owner's request.More details
Developer & Investor Alerts -Vancouver Secured Rental Program Land Assembly, Located at Kerrisidale. Do not miss the development opportunity for this over 20,960 sf. Lot. The project got potential for a 4-6 story rental housing development. The neighbour properties also show interest in selling as a land assembly project.More details
Builder alert! Rare find of a 6 detached units project ready for presale in Kerrisdale. One main house at 3400 ft2 plus 5 smaller house at 1800-2000 ft2 each. This project fills the void market in Vancouver between townhome and single family. Total buildable 13035 Ft2. Best thing, DP about ready, can start preselling anytime. No cac and no underground parking ( huge cost saving ) . Each housing also come with its own private garage with 1-2 parking stalls.More details
GEORGIE AWARD WINNING CUSTOM HOME. Fusion of modern, clean, simple lines with traditional Japanese aesthetic elements are unique in design. Features include Poggenpohl kitchen, wok kitchen, wet bar, massive Travertine stone walls, strking bamboo floors, oversize Kolbe copper front door & eclipse doors, Italian lighting fixtures, avant-garde laundry room & dumbwaiter, Tatami/guest room, stylish laneway home, authentic Japanese landscaped gardens & more! Openhouse SAT (May 27) 2-4 PM.More details
Located in most desirable Kerrisdale neighbourhood luxury custom 5136 sqft home sitting on quiet beautifully landscaped 7920 sqft south facing lot. Bright and sunny, it offers supreme finishing giving a feeling of luxury, full attention to detail, open layout concept, 4 bdrms in upstairs; 1 office on main, spacious living space, top of line appliances in European kitchen and gourmet kitchen; 2 guest room, rec. room and media room in basement. Mini golf range in back yard. Radiant heating, A/C, HRV, Smart Home System. Close to Crofton House School, Kerrisdale Elementary, Point Grey Secondary, York House, St. Georges Private school, UBC, easy access to transit, Kerrisdale shopping centre, Golf Courses. A Must See! Showing by appointment only.More details
Truly stunning luxury custom home in prestigious Kerrisdale area, situated on tranquil tree-lined street and a flat south facing 7,920 sf lot w/ 6 beds+7 baths. Amazing craftsmanship throughout. Functional layout featuring tons of details. This beautiful home features 4 spacious Bedrooms upstairs with all ensuite bathrooms; main floor includes a formal dining area, a wok kitchen, elegant living room and cozy bright family room; basement is your entertainment paradise featuring large rec room, wine cellar, media room etc. Move in and enjoy your dream life.More details
Exquisite custom built home situated in prestigious & family-oriented Kerrisdale neighborhood, offering elegant design & luxurious finishes. Open concept design on main level with desirable North-South-Facing & high ceiling. Equipped with smart home technology, multi-room audio & security systems, radiant floor heating, A/C, marble tile & hardwood flooring. High-end kitchen cabinetry, Miele appliances, huge island & bright wok kitchen. 3 generous ensuite bedrooms on upper level, master bedroom offers spa-like soaker tub & closet organizers. Fully finished lower level features wine bar, entertainment room with surround sound speaker rough in, 2 bedrooms & laundry. Great school catchment: Kerrisdale Elementary, Point Grey Secondary. Less than 10-min drive to UBC.More details