Shaughnessy
Shaughnessy is one of Vancouver's "Brand Name" communities, as well as being one of its most affluent communities. Located in Vancouver West, Shaughnessy is bound by the Kitsilano, South Cambie, Arbutus Ridge, Oak Ridge and Kerrisdale communities (street boundaries: Arbutus Street to west, W 41st to south, Oak Street to east and 16th to the north). A delightful place to take a walk or ride a bike, Shaugnessy is dominantly a residential area.
The area was established in the early 1900's by the Canadian Pacific Railway, which was then the largest real estate developer in Canada, and was named after its president Sir Thomas Shaughnessy. Names of Shaughnessy's daughter along with names of early members of the board of directors were used to name a number of the streets in Shaugnessy, including Marguerite, Angus, Marpole, and more.
Real estate prices in Shaughnessy certainly reflect the average household income, which ranges from $130,000-$160,000 annually. A modest home of 1200 sqft can cost a million and change, and currently the most expensive home on the market is just shy of $17 million. Several historical mansions sit in Shaughnessy, more than half of which was built during WWII.
The VanDusen Botanical Garden at 37th and Oak calls Shaughnessy home. During the holiday season, the 55-acre garden with an excess of 255,000 plants is lit up for the Festival of Lights held in December, turning it into a true Winter Wonderland, and is one of the local's favorite places to visit during (and not during) the holidays.
