A well-over-100-year-old historic prison in New West has offices and retail space available.
Daily Hive Urbanized published a story about 319 Governor’s Crt. in 2023, and soon after, we were informed that the historic property had been sold. There have been a few developments since then.
Five units inside the historic prison have been listed as available for lease or rent. According to BC Assessment, the property is valued at $5,027,000.
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The historic property, built in 1878, sits on a 1.1-acre C-2 zoned site (community commercial zone). The biggest space can be leased for $10,000 per month and offers the potential leasee several use options. The listing states that uses include child care, animal grooming, cafes, catering, retail, and more.
There are also a few private offices for rent inside the New West prison, like this one listed for $1,600 monthly.
City to Suburb Real Estate Group
It’s pretty cozy and offers 111 sq. ft. of space, and the listing suggests it would be ideal for doctors, psychologists, counsellors, lawyers, notaries, or client-facing professionals.
A little waiting area, perhaps? (City to Suburb Real Estate Group)
One of the available units is a 176 sq ft private office, listed for $1,800 per month.
City to Suburb Real Estate Group
The proximity to downtown New West (less than a ten-minute drive and around a half hour walk) is also listed as a selling point.
“With easy access to downtown New Westminster, ample parking, and a location steeped in local history, this space blends charm and functionality in one of the city’s most distinctive settings,” the listing adds.
Since the 2023 sale, a couple of businesses have operated in the property, including one that is still active.
A coffee shop called Majestic Cafe apparently operated inside the building last year in the larger available commercial space. The website says it’s currently closed for renovations.
There’s also a bar called the Notorious Grey Fox, which is still in operation and has a comedy show scheduled for this weekend. According to its Instagram page, the bar has 22 taps, eight big TVs, and “one spectacular view on the best patio in the city.”
The former footprint of the federal prison, also known as BC Pen, is immediately northeast of Glenbrook Ravine Park. The first structures — including the Gaol Building — were constructed in 1878, and the prison closed in the 1980s.
With files from Kenneth Chan.