10 Minutes with... Sunny Hahm, on West Coquitlam’s Secret Gem

It’s a neighbourhood steeped in history, the site of BC’s first Safeway, and a place where shop owners and neighbours still greet you, your kids, and even your pets by name. Here you’ll find friendly people with a “can do” attitude to life plus great schools and recreational opportunities.

And yet, Austin Heights in West Coquitlam has flown under most homebuyers’ radar for decades. This issue, Sunny Hahm, Beedie’s director of marketing and strategy, shines the spotlight on this secret gem.

Q: You’ve often likened Austin Heights to Edgemont and Dundarave. Why are so few people aware of this quaint, welcoming neighbourhood?

A: Even though Austin Heights is so connected to transportation and amenities, it’s somewhat tucked away — which is a big part of its charm.

Austin Heights is an upcoming neighbourhood that is being revitalized as part of City of Coquitlam's vision of enhancing this neighbourhood with new multifamily high rise opportunities and an official neighbourhood plan to create a pedestrian-friendly, 'main street' with cafes, shopping, and outdoor seating that will provide a new high-street to Austin Heights's distinctive character.

Q: You built a new Safeway at the base of The Heights on Austin, but most shopping here is comprised of smaller, one-of-a-kind boutiques and eateries. Do you see that continuing?

A: Absolutely. Other than Safeway, Austin Heights has hardly any franchises or big-box stores. What you do find is multi-generational, mom’n’pop retail, and those are still thriving — even during covid. In fact, there are over 250+ locally owned retail shops and services within walking distance that make this neighbourhood so unique. In fact, Austin Heights is one of the first commercial districts established in the Tri-Cities.

Q: What’s the recreation like in this neighbourhood?

A: That’s an easy one — it’s amazing. The Vancouver Golf Club, one of Metro Vancouver’s most prestigious private clubs, is just down the street. There are over 750 acres of green spaces and parks nearby including Blue Mountain Park, Como Lake, and Mundy Park. The Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex offers swimming, ice skating, an indoor track, gym, and venues for social events, plus there’s a future YMCA coming that will only be a five-minute drive. And, of course, you can access some excellent hiking and cycling trails nearby.

Q: This has always been a family-oriented neighbourhood with good schools. Are there other educational opportunities as well?

A: Again, absolutely. For young, growing families, there’s a collection of schools ranging from K-12 that are within a two-kilometre radius — so easy walking distance. And for post-secondary graduates and life-long learners, two Douglas College campuses, BCIT, and Simon Fraser University — where you’ll find the Beedie School of Business — are within a 10- to 15-minute drive.

Q: What was your biggest surprise about the Austin Heights neighbourhood?

A: How centrally located it is, and how easy it is to get around. You can be on the Trans Canada Highway in two to three minutes, plus there are three SkyTrain stations nearby — Braid Street, Lougheed Town Centre, and Burquitlam. If you’re commuting by car to downtown Vancouver, it’s probably faster to get here than it is to get to Central Lonsdale because you aren’t going to be fighting bridge traffic.

Q: Is John B Pub — The Johnny B to people who’ve lived here a long time — still alive and well?

A: It certainly is. Now that provincially we’re into Stage Three restart, people are thrilled to be able to hear live music there again. And you just never know what superstar mightbe in the crowd and spontaneously jam with the band for a couple of songs. It’s all part of the character and culture of Austin Heights.

For information about Beedie’s newest offering in Austin Heights, visit westbybeedie.com.