Who we are

Heritage New West is a registered non-profit organization supporting the conservation of our City’s built heritage. We believe that New Westminster’s unique legacy of historic homes, public buildings and streetscapes add immeasurable value to our City’s economy, sustainability and visual appeal.

We advocate on behalf of buildings in need of preservation, restoration or access to funding. Our board members sit on the New Westminster Community Heritage Commission acting in an advisory capacity to developers, homeowners and the City.

We offer information and resources to prospective and current heritage homeowners and promote outreach to our community partners.

Our Message

“Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.”   Jane Jacobs        

Like the visionary Jane Jacobs, we believe that a visible past helps inspire a more thoughtful future.  The conservation of New Westminster’s unique legacy of historic homes, streetscapes and public buildings is integral to the sustainable development of our City. 

We welcome opportunities to partner with individuals and organizations that share this philosophy.

In tribute – Remembering Steve North

Heritage New West remembers with fondness our past president Steve North. 

A respected figure in the many circles he inhabited, Steve had a passion for New Westminster and the importance of heritage preservation. Alarmed over the rapidly increasing demolition of older houses in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood, Steve readily volunteered for the City of New Westminster’s Heritage Study Working Group in 2014. More than three years and countless volunteer hours later, he stood proudly in Council Chambers as the motion to create the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area was unanimously supported by Mayor and Council in June 2017.  The Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area is the largest in Western Canada and represents the most significant step yet in protecting New Westminster’s built heritage. 

Steve served on the Board of Directors for both the Queen’s Park Residents Association and Heritage New West. He and his beloved wife Gail opened the door to their historic Arthur Davis house – their self-described “work in progress” – many times over the years in support of fund-raising events. In 2017 he was elected President of Heritage New West. It was a role Steve relished. Even as the busy owner of a successful local business, he found time to listen and advocate on behalf of heritage issues. He was at the helm of the 40th Annual Heritage Homes Tour in 2019, co-ordinating all the moving parts and inspiring his fellow Directors as they planned the celebration of four decades of Homes Tours, 

Steve sincerely believed that protecting our built heritage brings tangible benefit to all New Westminster residents. He was proud to be part of a group promoting preservation as key to a sustainable and diverse urban culture.

Our Beginnings

The catalyst that created Heritage New West (formerly the New Westminster Heritage Preservation Society) was the 1970s trend towards demolishing and replacing the city’s historic homes and buildings. Up and running by 1980, the Society wanted to encourage homeowners and commercial interests to rehabilitate old buildings, upgrading important infrastructure while preserving their original character-defining elements.

With the launch of its first annual Heritage Homes Tour on May 24,1980, Heritage New West was the first heritage preservation society in BC to create an event that raises funds, awareness and appreciation for beautiful, functional old homes and buildings. In 2019 the society proudly celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Heritage Homes Tour.

Now one of the oldest heritage preservation groups in British Columbia, Heritage New West is the voice for informed preservation of our community’s rich architectural legacy.

Why Heritage?

Heritage New West believes the conservation and restoration of our built heritage supports the four pillars of sustainability, as defined by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation:

Cultural:  Heritage buildings contribute to our sense of place and community identity and connect us to our diverse history and cultural heritage.

Social:  Older buildings provide some of the city’s most affordable housing and the majority of the city’s rental housing.

Economic:  Rehabilitated heritage buildings are popular places to live, work and visit making them an important part of the local economy.

Environment:  Fifty percent of the buildings in Canada were constructed before 1970.  Demolishing a 2,500 square foot house sends 60 tons of debris to the landfill.  Retrofits can significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions while avoiding waste and reducing the need for new energy intensive materials.