Shaughnessy, Vancouver

Location of Shaughnessy in Vancouver.

Shaughnessy is an almost entirely residential neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, spanning about 447 hectares^[1] in a relatively central locale. It is bordered by 16th Avenue to the north, 41st Avenue to the south, Oak Street to the east, and Arbutus Street/West Boulevard to the west. In 2011, the population was approximately 8,807.^[2] It was named after Thomas Shaughnessy, 1st Baron Shaughnessy, former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The neighbourhood's residents have an average annual household income of $777,184, and the average house price is $2.89 million, the highest in Vancouver.^[3] It is also the site of many historical homes, especially in First Shaughnessy. Of the neighbourhood's homes 51.5% were built before or during World War II, compared with 20.8% for the city at large.^[1] This is largely due to the 1981 First Shaughnessy Official Development Plan by-law, which promotes private property ownership and single-family dwelling, while limiting property subdivision and population density.^[4]

The neighbourhood was created in 1907 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, then the largest real estate developer in Canada. It was meant as an alternative to the West End, which was the traditional home for the budding city's elite.^[5] Thanks to aggressive marketing by the Railroad, highly regulated development, and a stronger degree of exclusiveness, it gradually took the latter's status over the past century.

Shaughnessy is home to Little Flower Academy, Vancouver College, and York House School. The public elementary schools are Shaughnessy Elementary and Quilchena Elementary. There is one public high school in Shaughnessy, Point Grey Secondary. The neighbourhood is in the catchment area of each of Eric Hamber Secondary School, in Oakridge, or Prince of Wales Secondary School, in Arbutus Ridge.

References

1. "Community Statistics Census Data: Shaughnessy" (PDF). 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
2. http://www2.jurock.com/areainfo/vancouver-west_sha.asp
3. https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/photos/canada-s-richest-neighbourhoods-2014-the-top-10-1406056157-slideshow/4-shaughnessy-heights-vancouver-photo-1406056282336.html
4. "First Shaughnessy Official Development Plan" (PDF) (Press release). City of Vancouver. 1998-04-01. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
5. "Walking Tour: Shaughnessy". 2003-06-03. Retrieved 2007-07-09.