Fraser Mills, British Columbia, Former sawmill site in Coquitlam, Canada
Fraser Mills is a former industrial site along the north bank of the Fraser River in Coquitlam that has been redeveloped with residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. The transformation includes a Waterfront Village Centre with multi-story residential buildings and a large waterfront park.
The British Columbia Lumber Company established the first sawmill here in 1907, turning the location into an industrial center for the region. The operation continued for many decades before eventually shutting down as industry shifted elsewhere.
The mill drew French-speaking workers from Quebec who settled in the neighboring Maillardville community, where their descendants maintained French traditions and language for generations. This heritage remains visible today through local customs and the character of the area.
The location connects to major highways including the Trans-Canada and Lougheed routes, making it easy to reach by car from surrounding areas. A new transit hub is planned to link the site more directly to regional train service, improving overall accessibility.
The site has undergone a remarkable transformation from abandoned industrial grounds into a modern Waterfront Village Centre with thousands of new residents and public spaces along the river. This shift shows how a once-active factory location was completely reimagined for 21st-century living.
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