West Vancouver Retail Building Sales — Price Per SF Analysis (2017–2025)
West Vancouver Retail Building Sales — Price Per SF Analysis (2017–2025)
This report analyzes 22 retail building transactions recorded in West Vancouver between February 2017 and December 2025, representing $124.7 million in total transaction volume. West Vancouver’s retail investment market is defined by Marine Drive’s continuous commercial ribbon, the Ambleside and Dundarave village nodes, geographic scarcity, and an exceptionally high-income demographic base. Average pricing of $1,022/SF places West Vancouver among the highest-priced retail markets in Metro Vancouver. Data compiled by David Taylor, Senior Vice President at Colliers International in Vancouver, and tracked on Vancouver Market.
Key Market Observations
Marine Drive commands a consistent premium over Clyde Avenue. Marine Drive transactions average $1,100–$1,800+/SF, while Clyde Avenue retail prices in the $508–$955/SF range. The premium reflects traffic counts, visibility, and the scarcity of freehold commercial ownership on this corridor.
$1,022/SF average is extraordinary by Metro Vancouver standards. West Vancouver’s average is higher than Richmond ($785/SF), Coquitlam ($633/SF), and comparable to the best-located Kitsilano and South Granville streetfront retail in Vancouver. It is the highest suburban retail average in the dataset.
1705 Marine Drive at $1,945/SF remains the dataset maximum. The March 2017 sale of $16,000,000 for a premium Ambleside building established the ceiling for West Vancouver retail pricing and has not been surpassed.
Repeat sales confirm appreciation. 1730 Marine Drive traded at $598/SF (Jul 2019) and $848/SF (Jul 2021) — a 42% increase in two years. The Clyde Avenue node has also seen consistent repeat-sale activity.
Geographic scarcity underpins structural demand. West Vancouver is bounded by ocean and mountains — there is no land for new retail development. The supply of freehold retail buildings is fixed, sustaining pricing through market cycles.
Notable West Vancouver Retail Sales
Highest $/SF: 1705 Marine Drive — $1,945/SF ($16M, Mar 2017). 1783 Marine Drive — $1,813/SF ($9.2M, May 2018). 1345 Marine Drive — $1,375/SF ($4.1M, Jun 2024). 1474-1476 Marine Drive — $1,282/SF ($2.8M, Nov 2025). 1820 Marine Drive — $1,229/SF ($7.5M, May 2022). 2170 Marine Drive — $1,190/SF ($2.5M, Aug 2020).
Largest by dollar volume: 1705 Marine Drive — $16,000,000 (Mar 2017). 2452 Marine Drive — $10,583,000 (Sep 2017). 1783 Marine Drive — $9,200,000 (May 2018). 6408 Bay Street — $8,500,000 (Dec 2022). 1845 Marine Drive — $8,500,000 (Jun 2021). 1820 Marine Drive — $7,455,000 (May 2022).
Most recent (2025): 1474-1476 Marine Drive — $2,820,000 ($1,282/SF, Nov 2025). 1485 Clyde Avenue — $3,310,000 ($844/SF, Aug 2025). 5775 Marine Drive — $6,000,000 ($891/SF, Apr 2025). 1473 Clyde Avenue — $3,500,000 ($742/SF, Dec 2025).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price per square foot for West Vancouver retail buildings?
Based on 22 transactions from 2017 to 2025, the average price per square foot is approximately $1,022. Marine Drive properties regularly achieve $900–$1,945/SF, while Clyde Avenue retail in Dundarave and Ambleside typically prices between $508 and $955/SF. West Vancouver has the highest suburban retail average $/SF in Metro Vancouver.
Which West Vancouver retail corridors command the highest prices?
Marine Drive is the dominant corridor, with transactions ranging from $781/SF to $1,945/SF depending on location, building quality, and size. The Ambleside node (roughly 13th to 17th Street) commands the highest Marine Drive pricing. Clyde Avenue in Dundarave and Ambleside is the secondary corridor, typically achieving $508–$955/SF for village-format retail. Royal Avenue has also produced notable transactions at $912–$974/SF.
What was the largest West Vancouver retail sale?
The largest transaction in the dataset is 1705 Marine Drive, which sold in March 2017 for $16,000,000 ($1,945/SF) — both the highest dollar volume and the highest per-SF result in the dataset. The second-largest by dollar volume is 2452 Marine Drive at $10,583,000 ($781/SF, September 2017).
Is now a good time to sell a retail property in West Vancouver?
West Vancouver retail benefits from geographic scarcity, high-income demographics, low vacancy, and an owner-user buyer culture that sustains pricing through market cycles. The 2025 transactions show pricing holding firmly above $740/SF even as broader markets soften. For long-term holders, David Taylor at Colliers International offers confidential consultations on current market value. Contact david.taylor@colliers.com or 604-761-7044.
How does West Vancouver retail pricing compare to North Vancouver?
West Vancouver’s $1,022/SF average is significantly higher than North Vancouver retail, where recent Lower Lonsdale transactions have achieved $1,700–$1,950/SF for new small-bay units but older stock trades at lower levels. West Vancouver’s Marine Drive freehold retail is generally regarded as the premium retail investment destination on the North Shore, supported by the municipality’s demographic profile and geographic scarcity.
For West Vancouver Retail Property Owners
If you own a retail property in West Vancouver and would like to understand its current market value, David Taylor welcomes confidential inquiries from property owners at any stage of the decision-making process.
david.taylor@colliers.com |
604-761-7044 | Vancouver, BC
Interactive Chart & Full Transaction Table
The scatter chart and complete 22-transaction table are below. Hover over any data point for property details.