The historic Avalon Dairy property in east Vancouver -the city’s last working dairy -is up for sale.

Colliers International listed it this week as a “rare 1.26-acre residential development opportunity in east Vancouver.”

There is no asking price but interested buyers are asked to submit expressions of interest starting June 1.

The property is two legal parcels at 2595 E. 43rd Ave. and 5805 Wales Street.

Avalon, known today for producing organic milk in old-style glass bottles, boasts that it is the oldest continuously operating dairy in B.C.

The dairy was founded in 1906 by Jeremiah Crowley, who left his home in Newfoundland in 1898 to seek his fortune in the B.C. gold rush.

He was impressed by Vancouver and returned to Newfoundland to retrieve his family. When he returned to Vancouver, he purchased a house on Wales Street that came with six cows.

The same year, he purchased acreage at 5805 Wales.

The farm house on the property, built in 1908, is still in use.

The dairy remains a family business, operated by Crowley’s grandson, Lee Crowley.

Today, it is surrounded by residential development and it appears rising land prices have finally caused the owners to sell.

The dairy will continue operations from its Burnaby location.

At one time, there were a number of working dairies in Vancouver, but urban growth caused them to close or move east.

nhall@vancouversun.com