Historic Turnbull House Listed for Sale

Historic Turnbull House Listed for Sale, Showcasing the Value of Heritage Designation

One of New Westminster’s earliest surviving homes, the Thomas and Elizabeth Turnbull House at 217 Ninth Street, has come onto the market—offering a rare opportunity to own a fully restored and formally designated heritage property.

Built in 1888 by carpenter Thomas Turnbull for his wife Elizabeth, the cottage was the first home on what was then Halifax Street. Over the decades, it endured significant alterations—including conversion to a triplex in 1945—and narrowly avoided demolition in the early 1980s.

Its survival today is due in part to heritage designation, which provides long-term legal protection and ensures that the home’s historic character is preserved. That designation also made the property eligible for a 2025 grant from the New Westminster Heritage Foundation, supporting ongoing restoration work, including the return of its distinctive verandah.

A major restoration in the 1990s carefully re-established the home’s original layout and architectural details using historical photographs and physical evidence within the structure. Today, the house blends its 19th-century origins with thoughtful updates, featuring restored scroll-cut woodwork, period mouldings, and salvaged heritage elements from other New Westminster buildings.

For those involved with the home, its significance is both historical and personal. Jim Wolf, a longtime heritage advocate, counts the Turnbull House as his first real estate purchase. Like subsequent owners, he shares a deep connection to the property and hopes it will pass to a new steward who appreciates its history and character.

The listing also offers an opportunity to highlight a broader message: heritage designation does not diminish property value -- in many cases, it enhances it.

“Designated homes like the Turnbull House demonstrate that heritage protection and market appeal can go hand in hand,” said Lori Fralic, local realtor. “Buyers are drawn to the craftsmanship, character, and authenticity you simply can’t replicate in new construction. There’s a real appreciation for homes that have been thoughtfully restored and protected.”

Heritage New West plans to launch a series highlighting the benefits of heritage designation while addressing common misconceptions.

“Too often, homeowners worry that designation will limit their options or reduce property value,” said Catherine Hutson, Director with Heritage New West. “In reality, retaining heritage buildings is a more sustainable choice than demolition. It protects what makes a property special -- while supporting long-term value, community character, and local industries like tourism and film.” 

Set within mature landscaping in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood, the Thomas and Elizabeth Turnbull House remains a tangible link to New Westminster’s early residential history—and a compelling example of how heritage designation can safeguard the past while supporting the future.