Lower Lonsdale
Neighbourhood Profile
ABOUT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Lower Lonsdale is most known for being the condo neighbourhood close to the water and close to the Seabus that travels often for 15 mins direct to downtown Vancouver. So, for many, it’s a convenient way to enjoy North Vancouver while using public transit to work in, and enjoy, Vancouver. Lower Lonsdale offers a variety of restaurants, cafes, services, and some boutique shopping. Recently, substantial development work has underway on the waterfront. More change is expected.
What is the neighbourhood known and appreciated for?
Lower Lonsdale is most known for being the condo neighbourhood close to the water and close to the Seabus that travels often for 15 mins direct to downtown Vancouver. So, for many, it’s a convenient way to enjoy North Vancouver while using public transit to work in, and enjoy, Vancouver. Lower Lonsdale offers a variety of restaurants, cafes, services, and some boutique shopping. Recently, substantial development work has underway on the waterfront. More change is expected.
What is the main type(s) of real estate?
The main types of real estate are low and mid-rise condo buildings. The area has many older four-storey buildings and a rapidly increasing number of low and mid-rise new concrete and wood-frame condo and townhouse buildings. This neighbourhood appeals to many younger and middle-aged people and the demand is driving substantial redevelopment.
What is the neighbourhood vibe?
The vibe of this area would be young, healthy, bustling, energetic. Not only are there many residents who enjoy the various amenities, but there are also residents of other parts of North Vancouver who visit this neighbourhood to carry about various errands, or to commute downtown by way of the Seabus. It might be reasonable to estimate that over half of the people ‘out and about’ in this neighbourhood are not residents and are instead commuters or people running errands.
What is the main downside?
There isn’t really a clear downside. One downside might be that the waterfront has been under-utilized for years and remains the case. It would likely be ideal that the complete waterfront would be a Seawall with all sorts of restaurants and amenities. In fact, this is likely ideal for most of North Vancouver. Another downside would be the traffic along with Marine and the Lions Gate given the increase in population as there seem to be no new lanes being added along key routes.
What is the short and longer-term future of the area?
North Vancouver has long seen a lot of single-family home development (many with 1-2 suites). However, it seems that there is possibly the highest level of condo and townhouse development that has ever been seen. Capilano at Marine would certainly be an example. This is likely long overdue given the proximity to downtown, yet still offering condo and townhouse purchasers the opportunity to enjoy North Vancouver.
What are prices like?
Prices for residential real estate tend to be similar to Mount Pleasant in Vancouver. There really isn’t a ‘discount’ to living in Lower Lonsdale as some people have thought. The reason for this is simple: the demand to live in this neighbourhood is high and, similar to Mount Pleasant, offers people an alternative to downtown that also offers many of the benefits of an urban lifestyle.