When it comes to the most exclusive neighbourhoods in Canada, West Vancouver definitely has evidence to back its claim to the crown. The community is the definition of elegance and grandeur, with prices and quality setting the standards for developers all over the continent.
A few different factors have come together to make West Vancouver the real estate choice for some of the wealthiest citizens of Canada. The first factor, without a doubt, is the access to the Pacific Ocean that the neighbourhood provides. Most of the luxury homes built in West Vancouver include incredible views of the ocean, complemented by picturesque Stanley Park, which is just across the Bay.
Developers have used this panorama of nature as the cornerstone for this most prestigious of Vancouver neighbourhoods. The appearance of some of the finest and most scenic luxury homes in the city encouraged further development in the form of amenities within the community. These amenities cater exclusively to the wealthy citizens that West Vancouver attracts, and include shopping opportunities and restaurants.
One of the most notable of these amenities has to be Park Royal Centre. The first covered mall in Canada, the Park Royal Centre has recently undergone extensive renovations in order to retain its reputation as one of the premier sites to shop in Vancouver. The facility is 990,000 square feet of shopping designed for the wealthy, including The Village, an upscale life centre. Even the food court is breathes exclusivity; designed with the concept of a four-star restaurant in mind, it includes bussers and a fireplace, as well as high definition plasma televisions. Other shopping opportunities in West Vancouver include Horseshoe Bay, Dundarave Village, and Ambleside Village.
When it comes to outdoor recreation, West Vancouver has something to offer residents all year long. Cypress Provincial Park is a main attraction within the community. It includes the Cypress Mountain ski area and a public, par 3, 18 hole golf course. There are numerous private golf courses (such as the noted Capilano Golf and Country Club), tennis courts, marinas, and other recreational areas throughout the community. The neighbourhood is also an ideal starting point for those wishing to tour Howe Sound and its Islands including Keats and Gambier. You can also take a boat up the Sunshine Coast, straight up to Desolation Sound.
Outdoor recreation is not the only perk that West Vancouver has to offer. The community includes the West Vancouver Memorial Library, with the largest circulation rate of any library in the country.
There are luxury real estate opportunities in West Vancouver to satisfy the tastes of even the most discriminating buyers. The community was the home of some of the first high rise apartments in Western Canada, and a look at the incredible skyline demonstrates that the tradition of the luxury condominium is alive in the neighbourhood today. Some buildings tower over 30 storeys, with incredible views of the ocean on all sides.
Single stand alone homes in West Vancouver are also prominent. Mansions range from $1.25 million and up, with houses over $4 million a common sight.
