Relocate E#6 - Relocate to Shaughnessy Vancouver!

Nestled in the heart of Vancouver, Shaughnessy is a neighborhood with a rich history and an exclusive charm. Developed in 1907 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, Shaughnessy was designed as a peaceful retreat within the city's outskirts, and it has become one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Vancouver over the years. With a strong degree of exclusiveness, the neighbourhood has an estate-like feel to it, with lush parks, stately homes, and exclusive addresses that draw in the city's elite.

At the heart of Shaughnessy's exclusivity is its history. Originally designed as an alternative to the West End, which was losing its luster, Shaughnessy was aggressively marketed by the C.P.R, and development in the area was highly regulated to maintain its exclusive status. Today, Shaughnessy is divided into three areas – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Shaughnessy – with the 1st Shaughnessy being the most prestigious and exclusive, with zoning requirements that promote the conservation of pre-1940's homes, maintain the estate-like image of the area, and limit further subdivision to protect the park-like character of the area.

The first Shaughnessy area also has specific landscape design guidelines that enhance and contribute to the heritage character value of the area. Just showing how specific the city / neighbourhood is about the aesthetic they are trying to uphold. Social housing is only allowed on artery streets with lanes, and there are four other prerequisites that must be met. Needless to say it's not an easy task to get passed. The 2nd and 3rd Shaughnessy areas also have specific zoning requirements that preserve those area's exclusivity and prestige.

Shaughnessy's geography is defined by West 16th Ave to the north, West 41st Ave to the south, Oak Street to the east, and Arbutus/Maple Crescent/Marguerite St/Laburnum St to the west. Although the neighborhood does not have shopping and restaurants, it boasts five beautiful parks – Shaughnessy Park, Angus Park, Devonshire Park, Kerrisdale Park, and VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Shaughnessy's schools are some of the best in Vancouver, with Point Grey High, Little Flower Academy high, Vancouver College K-12, York House K-12, Shaughnessy Elementary, and Quilchena Elementary offering top-notch education to the area's children.

Shaughnessy's history is steeped in tradition, with the neighborhood being named after Thomas Shaughnessy, the former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1899 to 1918. The neighborhood was initially labeled Shaughnessy Heights, and it was designed to be a peaceful retreat within the city's outskirts. The lots in Shaughnessy were 1/5 to 1.5 acres in size, and although they were close in price to other areas, the CPR required houses to cost at least $6,000 to build, which was six times the cost of a regular Vancouver house at the time. The CPR also had the right to reject a house design, further cementing the neighbourhood's exclusivity.

In 1909-1913, Vancouver's high society moved to Shaughnessy Heights en masse, leaving behind their West End, Kits, and Fairview homes. The new neighborhood atop the hill looked over the city and was ideal to market to the upper class, as they would be removed but easily accessible to the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. The neighbourhood's exclusive nature was cemented by restrictive covenants, the Shaughnessy Settlement Act, and the Building Restriction Act, which ensured that lots could only be used for single-family homes, and no subdivisions of lots could be made.

For any of your Shaughnessy Vancouver Real Estate needs, contact jay mcinnes with the Sharp Real Estate Group today to discuss current on & off market options in the area.