Port Royal is one of the most quietly compelling waterfront neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver. Situated at the western tip of New Westminster on the banks of the Fraser River, it offers a genuinely distinctive urban living experience — part marina village, part contemporary residential enclave — at price points that make Vancouver proper feel like a different world. This guide covers everything a prospective buyer needs to know about Port Royal in 2026.
Location
Western tip of New Westminster, bordered by the Fraser River on three sides
Transit
Bus to New Westminster & Scott Road SkyTrain stations; Q-to-Q ferry to Quayside
Development
Master-planned community; predominantly concrete mid-rise and townhouse
Character
Waterfront seawall, marina, parks, and the Fraser River as a constant backdrop
What is Port Royal?
Port Royal is a master-planned waterfront community developed largely on former industrial land in the Queensborough area of New Westminster. The transformation from working industrial waterfront to residential enclave has been deliberate and architecturally cohesive — a rarity in Metro Vancouver development. Buildings here are predominantly concrete construction, which means the community has a solidity and permanence that wood-frame suburban townhouse developments often lack.
The neighbourhood is small enough to feel like a genuine community, with a seawall promenade, a marina, riverside parks, and a growing collection of local amenities. It is not a transit-first urban neighbourhood in the Yaletown mould — it rewards residents who value waterfront access and natural beauty alongside urban convenience, rather than one at the expense of the other.
The Peninsula by Aragon — Port Royal's Flagship Building
The most distinctive address in Port Royal is The Peninsula by Aragon Properties, a striking concrete building whose bold angular architecture has become a local landmark. Aragon is known across Metro Vancouver for building to a specification well above the condo market average, and The Peninsula reflects that commitment — Gaggenau appliances, geothermal heating and cooling, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and premium material packages throughout.
The building offers resort-calibre amenities: a full concierge, gym, sauna and steam room, hot tub, and a guest suite for visiting family. Units range from one-bedroom homes to multi-level townhouses with private oversized patios overlooking the Fraser. For buyers seeking genuine luxury at a fraction of Vancouver waterfront pricing, The Peninsula has long been one of the most compelling arguments for crossing the bridge.
"Port Royal offers something increasingly rare in Metro Vancouver: waterfront living with a genuine sense of community, at a price point that doesn't require compromise on quality."
I currently have an active listing at The Peninsula — TH210 at 210 Salter Street — a two-level waterfront townhouse with stunning river and mountain views, offered at over $130,000 below assessed value. It is an exceptional opportunity to enter this building at a genuine discount.
Also coming soon to Port Royal: Unit 303 at 220 Salter Street at The Glasshouse Lofts — another Aragon Properties building in the heart of Queensborough. A designer loft with soaring 10-foot ceilings, 7-foot windows, a reclaimed brick accent wall, Monogram stainless steel appliances, and 2 parking stalls (one EV ready), priced at $729,000. Register your interest before it hits MLS®.
Getting Around from Port Royal
Transit is the most common concern raised by buyers considering Port Royal. The honest answer is nuanced: Port Royal is not a walk-to-SkyTrain neighbourhood, but it is well-connected for car owners and reasonably served for transit-dependent residents.
By transit
- Q-to-Q Ferry: A foot passenger ferry connects Port Royal to the Quayside area of New Westminster, from which the New Westminster SkyTrain station on the Expo Line is a short walk. This is the most pleasant commute option and takes roughly 20-25 minutes to downtown Vancouver door-to-door in good conditions.
- Bus routes: Several bus routes serve Queensborough and connect to New Westminster Station and Scott Road Station on the Expo Line. Journey times to downtown Vancouver vary from 35 to 50 minutes depending on time of day.
- Future transit: New Westminster's long-term transit planning includes improved Queensborough connectivity. Buyers with a longer time horizon should monitor TransLink's investment cycle for this area.
By car
- The Alex Fraser Bridge provides direct access to Highway 91 and the South Fraser Perimeter Road.
- The Queensborough Bridge connects directly to New Westminster and the Patullo Bridge corridor.
- Downtown Vancouver is typically 25-35 minutes by car outside peak hours; 40-60 minutes in heavy traffic.
- YVR is approximately 20-25 minutes via Highway 91.
Amenities and Daily Life
Port Royal's immediate amenity base is more limited than established urban neighbourhoods, which is a fair trade-off that buyers should weigh against the significant price advantage and waterfront lifestyle.
Within Port Royal and immediate Queensborough
- River Market at the Quay: A short ferry or drive away, the River Market offers a farmers market, specialty food vendors, restaurants, and coffee shops in a historic waterfront setting.
- Queensborough Landing: A large outlet-style retail centre just minutes away with major grocery, home, and clothing retailers.
- Seawall and parks: The Port Royal seawall is one of the neighbourhood's great assets — a walking and cycling path with unobstructed Fraser River views and access to Queensborough Community Centre.
- Marina: The Port Royal Marina accommodates resident and visiting vessels, adding to the maritime character of the neighbourhood.
Nearby New Westminster
- Columbia Street's restaurant and café scene has significantly improved over the past decade and continues to mature.
- Uptown New Westminster offers a full range of grocery, retail, medical, and professional services.
- Royal Columbian Hospital — one of BC's major trauma centres — is approximately 10 minutes by car.
Schools
Families with children should note that the school catchment for Port Royal falls within New Westminster School District (SD40), which has a strong academic reputation and a range of programs including French Immersion.
- Elementary: Queensborough Community School serves the immediate area, with French Immersion available at other district schools.
- Secondary: New Westminster Secondary School is the catchment high school, known for its arts and academic programs.
- Post-secondary: Douglas College's New Westminster campus is a short commute away, with SFU Burnaby Mountain accessible by SkyTrain.
Pricing in 2026
Port Royal continues to offer meaningful value relative to comparable waterfront properties in Vancouver and Burnaby. Concrete townhouses and mid-rise condominiums at buildings like The Peninsula typically trade in the range of $700 to $950 per square foot, depending on unit type, floor, view, and condition — representing a significant discount to equivalent product in Yaletown or False Creek.
Port Royal's strata properties are subject to the same BC Strata Property Act protections as all Metro Vancouver stratas — including the 2024 rental restriction amendments. Many Port Royal buildings permit long-term rentals, making them attractive for investor-buyers and for owner-occupiers who want the flexibility to rent in future.
The neighbourhood has historically seen strong appreciation driven by its waterfront character and the limited supply of new inventory. As Vancouver's affordability pressures continue to push buyers east along the Fraser, Port Royal's relative value proposition strengthens further.
Who is Buying in Port Royal?
Port Royal attracts a notably varied buyer profile, which is part of what gives the neighbourhood its social texture:
- Vancouver buyers trading square footage for quality — buyers who cannot afford a waterfront unit in Yaletown or False Creek but refuse to give up concrete construction and premium finishes.
- Downsizers from larger Metro Vancouver homes — empty-nesters who want lock-and-leave waterfront living without the strata complexity of a high-rise tower.
- Young families — drawn by more space per dollar, good schools, and access to outdoor amenities.
- Investors — attracted by the rental demand from professionals working in New Westminster, Burnaby, and Surrey who do not want to commute from Vancouver.
Is Port Royal Right for You?
Port Royal suits buyers who prioritise waterfront living, quality construction, and value for money over walkability scores and proximity to downtown Vancouver. If your daily life is car-dependent or if you work in the eastern part of Metro Vancouver, Port Royal offers a lifestyle that is genuinely difficult to match at the price point. If you are heavily transit-dependent and need to commute to downtown Vancouver daily, the journey time requires honest assessment.
I have worked extensively in Port Royal, including at The Peninsula, and I am happy to arrange a tour of the neighbourhood and any available inventory. Call me at 778-995-7224 or email harry.kramm@evrealestate.com to arrange a conversation.
You can also read my dedicated in-depth piece on The Peninsula and why buyers are looking beyond Vancouver on HarryKramm.com.