The December Issue of the City Centre Update is now available at SurreyCityCentre.ca. This month’s newsletter includes an overview of 2021 stats in review, new to market projects, development applications, approvals, and construction activity during the past month. For a full list of all active projects – check out the Active Projects Page.

New Development Applications

As of December 2021, there are 32 major development applications proposed in Surrey City Centre, representing 34 high-rise and 17 low-rise buildings.

The past month saw 2 new development applications submitted:

21 – 0341 | 132 St & Ravine Rd

Proposal:	6-Storey Residential (77 Units)
Address:	10970-10986 Ravine Rd
Applicant:	Flat Architecture

A Rezoning, Subdivision, and Development Permit application has been submitted by Flat Architecture for a 6-Storey residential building at the corner of 132 St & Ravine Rd. The application is proposing to consolidate 2 existing single family lots into 1 new lot to allow for a small footprint building containing 77 units. The project will also dedicate a new laneway at the rear, connecting to a recently completed laneway to the south behind the 5-storey Camellia Residences building.

21 – 0343 | Emerald City

Proposal:	30-37-Storey Residential (995 Units) 2,282 SF Retail
Address:	10955 City Parkway
Applicant:	Allure Venutres

A Rezoning and Development Permit application has been submitted by Allure Ventures for a 3-tower project just north of Gateway Station at the terminus of City Parkway. Named Emerald City, the project is to include 955 units and 2,282 SF of retail within towers ranging between 30-37-storeys set above curved podiums following the bend of University Drive along the north edge of the site. The project will be Allure’s second in Surrey City Centre, following ‘The Grand’ which recently began construction nearby.

21 – 0347 | City Centre 4

Proposal:	23-Storey Office / Retail (355,155 SF)
Address:	9677 137A St
Applicant:	Lark Group

A Rezoning, Subdivision, OCP & City Centre Amendment, and Development Permit application has been submitted by Lark Group for a 23-Storey office tower with ground floor retail just to the north of Surrey Memorial Hospital in the Innovation Boulevard District. The tower will be their fourth and tallest to date in the district, following City Centre 1, 2, & 3 just to the adjacent south. The application is proposing to consolidate 6 existing single family lots into 1 new lot, and is to include approx. 355,155 SF of office and retail space.

Council Approvals

As of December 2021, there are 35 major development applications approved in Surrey City Centre, representing 37 high-rise and 31 low-rise buildings.

The past month saw one new project receive Conditional Approval:

20 – 0290 | 105 Ave & 132 St

Proposal:	6-Storey Residential x 2 (248 Units)
Address:	104A Ave & 138A St
Developer:	Adera
Architect:	RH Architects

Adera Development’s upcoming project in City Centre received 3rd Reading (Conditional Approval) by Surrey City Council on November 8. The project is to include two 6-storey market residential buildings containing 248 units, and will span an entire block between 132 St to 133 St along 105 Ave.

Designed by RH Architects, the 2 buildings will replace 6 existing single family homes, and be separated by a shared courtyard space. The project will also create a new urban green lane along the south (rear) and east edges of the site.

Construction

As of December 2021, there are 20 major projects under construction in Surrey City Centre, representing 18 high-rise and 8 low-rise buildings. The past month saw 2 new projects begin construction.

New Construction

Hendrix (6-Storey Residential) – Excavation now underway on 108 Ave Parks & Yards (38-Storey Residential, Office, Retail) – Site preparation and heritage building restoration now underway

Continued Construction

Century City Holland Park (19-Storey Rental, 11-Storey Office) – Crane now up for rental tower Parkway 1 (38-Storey Rental) – Marketing fencing now up and drilling underway along 104 Ave One Central (44-Storey Condo, Retail) – View of podium from lane with main tower continuing to rise Plaza One & Two @ King George Hub (41 + 44-Storey Residential, Office, Retail) – First crane now installed Q5 (6-Storey Residential) – Underground parking levels construction underway University District (28 +37-Storey Residential, Retail) – View looking south along University Dr from 105 Ave The Holland (25-Storey Residential) – Tower gaining height above townhouse podium The Grand (46-Storey Residential, Office, Retail) – Excavation progressing Rosewood (5-Storey Residential) – Exterior cladding taking shape Belvedere (27-Storey Residential, Retail) – Excavation progressing Parc Centrale (20-Storey Residential, Office) – Now topped out at 20-Storeys

The November Issue of the City Centre Update is now available at SurreyCityCentre.ca. This month’s newsletter includes a round-up of general updates, new development applications, and construction activity during the past month. For a full list of all active projects – check out the Active Projects Page.

New Development Applications

As of November 2021, there are 30 major development applications under initial review in Surrey City Centre, representing 30 high-rise and 17 low-rise buildings.

New development applications over the past month include:

21 – 0311 | Fraser Hwy & Whalley Blvd

A Rezoning, Subdivision, OCP / City Centre Plan Amendment, and Development Permit application has been submitted by KGS Holdings for a 38-storey residential tower just to the south of King George Hub at Fraser Hwy & Whalley Blvd. The application is proposing to consolidate 3 existing single family lots as well as dedicate new roadway for the eventual extension of Whalley Blvd south of Fraser Hwy.

21 – 0313 | 102 Ave & King George Blvd

A Rezoning, OCP / City Centre Plan Amendment, and Development Permit application has been submitted by Chris Dikeakos Architects for a 49-storey residential tower above an 8-storey office podium with ground floor retail at the north-west corner of 102 Ave & King George Blvd. The project would replace an existing 1-storey strip mall and surface parking lot with 739 residential units and 223,545 SF of office space. The project will also dedicate land along the north side of the site for a new portion of 102A Ave, as well as land along the west side of the site for a new urban green lane.

Council Approvals

As of November 2021, there are 36 major development applications approved in Surrey City Centre, representing 38 high-rise and 31 low-rise buildings. There was just 1 Surrey City Council meeting over the past month, with no new approvals.

Construction

As of November 2021, there are 18 major projects under construction in Surrey City Centre, representing 17 high-rise and 7 low-rise buildings. The past month saw 1 new project begin construction – the Grand – A 46-storey residential tower above a 5-storey office & retail podium on King George Blvd at 107 Ave.

New Construction

The Grand (46-Storey Residential, Office, Retail) – Excavation now underway

Continued Construction

Holland Parkside Phase 1 (11-Storey Office, 19-Storey Rental) – Excavation progressing Parc Centrale (20-Storey Residential, Office, Legion) – View looking south along City Parkway. One Central (44-Storey Condo, Retail) – View looking west from Central City Plaza One & Two @ King George Hub (41 + 44-Storey Residential, Office, Retail) – Excavation progressing Centra (23-Storey Residential) – Excavation continuing with parking levels construction underway. University District (28 +37-Storey Residential, Retail) – View from University Dr of tallest tower main entry and podium. The Holland (25-Storey Residential) – View looking north-west along Old Yale Rd. Park George (35 + 39-Storey Residential) – Excavation continues with foundational work underway Parker (4-Storey Residential) – View looking north-east from 139 St & 105 Blvd

The October Issue of the City Centre Update is now available at SurreyCityCentre.ca. This month’s newsletter includes a round-up of new Development Applications, Council Approvals, and Construction activity during the past month of September 2021. For a full list of all active projects – check out the Active Projects Page.

New Development Applications

The past month saw two new major development applications submitted. As of October 2021, there are 28 major development applications under initial review within City Centre, representing 28 high-rise and 17 low-rise buildings.

21 – 0270 | 102A Ave & 133A St

A Rezoning, Subdivision, City Centre Amendment, and Development Permit application has been submitted by IBI Group for a 42-Storey residential tower above ground-level retail at the corner of 133A St & 102A Ave just to the west of SFU. The application is proposing to consolidate 5 existing lots, currently occupied by a gravel parking lot, a vacant lot, and a four-plex to create 473 residential units above 3,762 SF of retail.

21 – 0285 | 104 Ave & 138A Ave

A Rezoning, Subdivision, OCP & City Centre Amendment, and Development Permit application has been submitted by Streetside Developments for a 32-Storey residential tower above a 6-storey podium with ground level retail on the south-east corner of 138A St & 104 Ave Ave. The building would replace an existing car wash on the site with 339 residential units and 11,043 SF of retail.

Council Approvals

The past month saw two additional projects receive 3rd Reading (Conditional Approval) from Surrey City Council. As of October 2021, there are 37 major projects approved within City Centre, representing 39 high-rise and 31 low-rise buildings.

19 – 0091 | 104A Ave & 138A St (Porte)

Porte’s next upcoming project in Surrey City Centre received 3rd Reading by Council on September 13. Occupying half a block between 138A St and 139 St north of 104A Ave, the 6-Storey project will include 299 units amongst 4 buildings to be constructed in phases. The project will replace 8 existing single family lots and close an existing lane, while opening a new green lane along the north edge of the site.

Designed by Studio One Architects, the buildings will create a more urban streetscape along 138A St & 139 St with 2-storey street-oriented townhomes integrated into the base of each building.

Location: 104A Ave & 138A St
Proposal: 6-Storey Condo (x4) (299 Units)
Developer: Porte Homes
Architect: Studio One
Expected Completion: 2024-2026

West facade of proposed development along 138A St View looking north-east from 104A Ave & 138A St

20 – 0233 | Centre Block (Phase 1 & 2)

Phase 1 & 2 of the much anticipated ‘Centre Block’ development received 3rd Reading from Council on September 13. Located on the former North Surrey Rec Centre site, the project is to consist of over 1 million square feet of office space between two towers (19 and 47-storeys) above a retail and institutional base. The taller tower will become the tallest office tower in Metro Vancouver at 738 feet once complete. Additionally, the project will integrate with both Civic Plaza to the north and Surrey Central Station though new plaza space featuring a network of overhead canopies.

Location: University Dr & 102A Ave
Proposal: 19 & 47-Storey Office (1,181,500 SF), Institutional (152,783 SF), Retail (22,884 SF)
Developer: SCDC / City of Surrey
Architect: Hariri Pontarini / Adamson
Expected Completion: TBD

Aerial view looking east View looking south from Civic Plaza View looking south-west showing Centre Block’s integration with Surrey Central Station Plan view of Centre Block Phase 1 & 2

Construction

The past month saw one new major project begin construction. As of October 2021, there are 17 major projects under construction within City Centre, representing 16 high-rise and 7 low-rise buildings.

New Construction

Brightside Phase 1 (38-Storey Rental, Retail) – Site preparation & drilling underway

Continued Construction

Park George (35 & 39-Storey Condo) – Work underway on foundation and underground parking levels The Holland (25-Storey Condo) – Beginning to rise at corner of 133 St & Old Yale Rd One Central (44-Storey Condo, Retail) – View looking east from Central Ave. Main tower rising above podium. Holland Parkside Phase 1 (11-Storey Office, 19-Storey Rental) – Excavation progressing Parc Centrale (20-Storey Condo, Office, Legion) – Continuing to rise with 5 levels to go. Glazing and red paneling taking shape. Ledgeview (6-Storey Condo) – View from King George Blvd. Exterior work continues. Georgetown One (30-Storey Condo, Retail) – View looking south-west from future 102A Ave. Work continues on tower and podium. University District (28 & 37-Storey Condo, Retail) – View looking south from 105 Ave & University Dr Q5 (6-Storey Condo) – Excavation continues with crane now installed Belvedere (27-Storey Condo, Retail) – View looking south – Excavation progressing.

Completions

King George Hub – New public art installations within recently completed retail plaza King George Hub – View looking north from new retail plaza

The August Issue of the City Centre Update is now available at SurreyCityCentre.ca. This month’s newsletter includes a round-up of Council Approvals and Construction activity during the past month of July 2021.

Council Approvals

The past month saw 2 major projects receive approvals from Surrey City Council. As of August 2021, there are 37 major projects approved in City Centre, representing 40 high-rise and 25 low-rise buildings.

20 – 0244 | Innovation Village

This 3-tower mixed-use project by WestStone Group on King George Blvd across from Surrey Memorial Hospital received 3rd Reading (Preliminary Approval) on July 26. The application is seeking a Rezoning, OCP & City Centre Plan Amendment, and General Development Permit to allow for three towers to be built in phases.

The tallest tower (37-storeys) closest to King George Blvd is to contain retail & office space on levels 1-5 with residential above. The remaining 2 towers to the east (31 & 12-storeys) are to be entirely residential. Separate detailed Development Permit applications are to follow in the future for each building.

View looking north along new 95 Avenue Plan view of Innovation Village with new 95 Avenue through site

21 – 0072 | Brightside (Phase 3)

Phase 3 of BlueSky’s Brightside development went to Council on July 12, receiving approval to draft Development Permit. This phase of the project will include a 51-Storey mixed condo / rental tower and 2-storey standalone amenity building on the north-east corner of the site along 105 Ave.

The overall Brightside development originally received Rezoning and General Development Permit approval back in March 2020, later revised in February 2021 to include a 4th tower. Phase 1 will consist of a 38-storey rental tower on the south-west corner of the site at 104 Ave & City Parkway.

View looking south-west from King George Blvd towards Tower 3 View of Tower 3 base – looking south along new green lane from 105 Ave View of 2-storey amenity building along 105 Ave Overall Brightside Master Plan – Phase 3 at top right

Construction

The past month saw 2 new major construction starts and 1 completion. As of August 2021, there are 16 major projects under construction in City Centre, representing 15 high-rise and 7 low-rise buildings.

New Construction

Holland Parkside Phase 1 (11-Storey Office + 19-Storey Rental over retail) – Begun excavation Plaza One & Two (41 & 44-storey residential over office & retail) – The final phase of King George Hub has begun excavation

Continued Construction

Rosewood (5-Storey Supportive Housing) – now topped out on 137 St The Holland (25-Storey Residential) – Now at grade with construction beginning on level 1 One Central (44-Storey Residential & Retail) – Podium now topped off at 14 levels, with main tower to rise above University District (28 & 37-Storey Residential & Retail) – Towers beginning to rise above townhouse and retail podiums Parc Centrale (20-Storey Residential + Legion) – Main tower rising above podium on City Parkway Park Boulevard (41-Storey Residential) – Main entry on Park Plaza nearing completion Georgetown One (30-Storey Residential + Retail) – View from Central City Plaza Park George (35 & 39-Storey Residential) – Excavation now bottomed out Ledgeview (6-Storey Residential) – Now topped out at King George Blvd & 132 St with glazing & exterior work underway

Completions

Hub One & Two at King George Hub (29 & 40-Storey Residential) – View from Fraser Hwy & George Junction Hub One & Two at King George Hub (29 & 40-Storey Residential) – View of residential entries and new multi-use path along Fraser Hwy Hub One & Two at King George Hub (29 & 40-Storey Residential) – Retail plaza to open in Fall 2021

The May Issue of the City Centre Update is now available at SurreyCityCentre.ca. This month’s newsletter includes a round-up of new Development Applications, Council Approvals, and Construction activity during the past month of April 2021.

New Development Applications

One new development application was submitted in City Centre during the past month – a 6-Storey residential project located at 100A Ave & 133 St to the west of Holland Park.

21-0090 | 100A Ave & 133 St

A Rezoning, Subdivision, and Development Permit application was submitted in April for a proposed 6-Storey residential project consisting of 101 units at 100A Ave & 133 St. The site is located just south of two other 6-Storey residential projects under application, which together will begin to transition this existing Single Family area into a more urban low-rise multi-family residential district.

Initial Review Map

As of May 2021, there are 26 major development applications under initial review, consisting of approximately 30 high-rises, and 21 low-rises.

Council Approvals

Four projects received approvals from Surrey City Council during the past month.

18 – 0096 | 138 St & 105 Ave

This 6-Storey residential project located on a small 1/4 acre lot at the corner of 138 St & 105 Ave recived 3rd Reading (Preliminary Approval) in April. Due to its small and unique footprint for Surrey, the building will consist of just 28 units of rental housing. Completion is expected by 2024.

19 – 0004 | Park Central

This 6-Storey residential project on Old Yale Road just west of Holland Park recived 3rd Reading (Preliminary Approval) in April. Being developed by Peace Enterprises, the project will bring 43 rental units to the area along with a new extension of 133 Street south along the west side of the site. Completion is expected by 2024.

19 – 0367 | Whalley Station

Tien Sher Group received preliminary approval in April for for their 51-Storey mixed-use ‘Whalley Station’ project located at King George Blvd and 108 Ave. The tower is to become Surrey’s tallest building once completed, with 501 residential units above a 6-storey office and retail podium. The development will also create a new plaza on the south west corner of King George & 108 Ave leading into a grand 6-Storey atrium through the site. The current application is for a general development permit and rezoning only, with a separate detailed development permit application expected in the future.

20 – 0149 | Holland Parkside (Phase 1)

Phase 1 of Century Group’s Holland Parkside received its Development Permit in April to allow for a 19-storey rental residential tower, and 11-storey office building with ground level retail and a ‘market food hall’ at King George Blvd and 98 Ave. This first phase is part of a master plan for the site (approved in 2020) which will see 2 additional market residential towers developed on the western portion of the site in the future, subject to separate development permit applications. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to commence by Summer 2021.

Approved Projects Map

As of May 2021, there are 36 approved major projects in City Centre, consisting of 42 high-rises, and 24 low-rises.

Construction

No new projects began construction during the past month, however one project completed construction – 28-Storey Linea by Rize at 104 Ave & 133 St.

Active Construction Map

As of May 2021, there are 17 major projects under construction in City Centre, representing approximately 15 high-rises, and 8 low-rises.

28-Storey Linea by Rize now complete at 104 Ave & 133 St 20-Storey Veterans Village / Parc Centrale rising at City Parkway & 105A Ave Crane now installed for Townline’s 25-Storey ‘The Holland’ on Old Yale Rd 5-Storey Transitional Housing project ‘Rosewood’ rising above 137 St Street frontage upgrades underway in front of Camellia Seniors Housing on 132 St Birds Eye View of progress at University District by BlueSky Large canopy entrance along Fraser Highway at King George Hub New multi-use path along Fraser Highway as part of King George Hub Excavation underway for 23-Storey Centra on 101 Ave 44-Storey One Central rising in West Village

The April Issue of the City Centre Update is now available at SurreyCityCentre.ca. This month’s newsletter includes a round-up of new Development Applications, Council Approvals, and Construction activity during the prior month of March 2021.

New Development Applications

There were no new major development applications submitted in City Centre during March 2021.

As of April 2021, there are 30 major development applications under initial review (pre-council), consisting of approximately 34 towers, and 21 low-rises.

Major development applications under initial review as of April 2021

Council Approvals

No major projects received 3rd Reading (Preliminary Approval) from Surrey City Council during the past month of March, in part due to Spring Break.

As of April 2021, there are 33 approved major projects in City Centre, consisting of 42 towers, and 22 low-rises.

Approved major development applications as of April 2021

Construction

One new project began construction during March – A 23-storey market residential tower known as Centra by Everest Group located on 101 Ave at 139 St.

As of April 2021, there are 17 projects under construction in City Centre, representing 16 high-rises (>6 Storeys) and 7 low-rises (4-6-storeys).

Major projects under construction as of April 2021 30-Storey Georgetown One rising amidst the backdrop of King George Hub Parker by Mosaic progressing on 105 Ave near 140 St 44-Storey One Central rising above its podium on 133A St at Central Ave King George Hub office tower nearing completion at new intersection of King George Blvd and George Junction New road, bike path, and sidewalk along George Junction King George Hub office tower entrance fronting King George Blvd Legion ‘Veterans Village’ / Parc Centrale rising above City Parkway at 105A Ave 41-Storey Park Boulevard nearing completion along Whalley Blvd
Maverick nearing occupancy at Whalley Blvd & Grosevnor Rd

A 26-Storey residential tower proposed at Central Ave and 133 St in the growing West Village neighbourhood received Preliminary Approval following Public Hearing on January 13. The project, named ‘CityWalk’ and being developed by Huacheng Holdings is located directly across from the new West Village District Energy Centre and Park, as well as the recently completed Evolve tower.

Designed by Wilson Chang Architect, the project is to include 223 units within a 26-storey tower above a 4-storey podium with ground-oriented townhouse units at the base fronting along Central Ave and 133 St. The building is intended to transition height from taller towers east of the site, down to a low to mid-rise form west of the site along 132 St at the edge of City Centre.

Perspective view looking north-east with 36-storey Evolve across the street View facing south-west from 133 St & Central Ave View facing north from proposed Public Pathway View facing north west from 133 St

As part of the Landscape Plan prepared for the site by Vancouver’s ETA Landscape Architecture, a public walkway is proposed along the south side of the building, lending the project its name. This pathway will connect to an existing public walkway across the street to the east between the Evolve and Ultra towers, and eventually extend further east through to Civic Plaza as more projects develop. A green-roof is also proposed as part of the plan on top of the low-rise podium.

Additionally as part of the project, Central Avenue will see its remaining south half dedicated and constructed west of 133 St for the length of the site, inclusive of a separated bike lane to match the already constructed north side of the street.

Having now received 3rd Reading, the project can be expected to receive Final Approval within a year, and completion likely by 2024-5.

For more on the project https://www.surrey.ca/bylawsandcouncillibrary/PLR_7918-0125-00.pdf

Two separate Development Applications have been submitted for a pair of projects between University Dr & City Parkway and 105 Ave & 105A Ave, just to the south of the BC Lions Training facility.

According to Surrey’s COSMOS, the application on the westerly block is to allow for 873 residential units (approximately 2 towers above podiums), while the application on the easterly block is to also allow for 2 towers above podiums with no unit count given. The applications are also proposing OCP and City Centre Plan amendments to re-designate the sites from 3.5 FAR to 5.5 FAR to allow for increased density. Interestingly, the applicant on the easterly site is listed as Concord Pacific – indicating a new venture for them in Surrey City Centre, to follow their existing ‘Park’ development near King George. The applicant on the westerly site is listed as IBI Group, although the applications could be related.

The subject sites have been vacant grassed lots for decades, and are bisected by the SkyTrain guideway between Surrey Central Station and Gateway Station. While the area may feel vacant now, just to the south across 105 Avenue, Bosa’s 28 & 37-storey University District towers are expected to begin construction within the next year. Also just to the north at City Parkway and 106 Avenue, Lark Group’s 20-story Legion Veteran’s Village project is now under construction.

Site looking north-east from University Dr & 105 Ave Site looking south-east from University Dr & 105A Ave Site looking south from 105A Ave Site looking south-west from 105A Ave & City Parkway Site looking north from 105 Ave Site’s within City Centre Plan Birds-eye view of Sites

Another hotel is coming to City Centre. On Monday, council gave third reading / preliminary approval to a proposed 30-storey mixed-use hotel, condo, and commercial building at the corner of King George Blvd and 98th Ave. Branded as a Hampton by Hilton, the hotel will occupy the building’s 6-storey podium, along with ground level commercial space including a wine bar. Above the podium will be amenity space on the 7th floor, and a residential tower rising to 30 floors. In total, the building will consist of:

• 181 residential dwelling units
• 112 hotel rooms
• 8 two-storey ground oriented townhouses
• 133 square metres (1,432 sq. ft.) of ground-level commercial space

Designed by Architecture 49, the building features a unique form and massing, high-quality architectural design features, with substantial glazing and a high quality material palette, including an abstract pixelated image of a British Columbia landscape on the podium’s curtain wall glass.

When complete in 2020, the hotel will become City Centre’s second hotel offering an alternative to the upscale 5-star Marriott Autograph Collection – Civic Hotel, which is scheduled to open in November 2017. It will serve the growing nearby medical / technology district known as Innovation Boulevard as well as the needs of other business and personal travellers to the area.

The building will be located directly across from PCI Group’s The Hub at King George project ‘Phase B’, which is expected to begin construction on its 3 towers around the same time as construction would begin on the hotel project in 2018.

For more information on the project:
http://www.surrey.ca/bylawsandcouncillibrary/PLR_7916-0183-00.pdf

A luffing crane has now been installed at WestStone Group’s 36-storey Evolve Condo project in Surrey City Centre’s emerging West Village neighbourhood. The use of a luffing crane is a rare sight in Metro Vancouver condo construction, as it is typically used in situations where movement of the crane is constrained by other buildings. In this case, the adjacent 36-storey Ultra condo tower to the South of the project would prevent a standard crane from being able to swing a full 360 degrees.

When complete in 2018, Evolve will add not only condos, but also retail and commercial space to the West Village neighbourhood along a newly dedicated 103 Ave, forming the beginning of a new neighbourhood centre. Four additional towers will be added through future phases of WestStone’s master plan for the area, along with retail, commercial space, and new pedestrian and road connections.

More on Evolve:

http://evolvecondos.com/location/

Surrey’s annual PARKit pop-up park has returned for another summer in City Centre. Since 2013, the park has been a fixture through the summer months as an installation underneath the SkyTrain guideway next to Surrey Central Station. Students from UBC’s School of Landscape Architecture have competed on winning designs for the park each year.

This year, the park has moved to a new location in the Central City Plaza to celebrate Canada150 – Canada’s 150th Birthday. The installation’s theme is ‘A Canadian Summer’ and incorporates elements of a classic Canadian summer day spent relaxing at the lake with a picnic. The park features an outdoor public piano within a tent-shaped structure, numerous picnic tables, iconic Muskoka chairs, tree planters, a make-believe lake, and a dock. This year’s park was designed by Amy Tsang.

The park will be in place through the summer until September 11.

‘Phase B’ of PCI Group’s ‘The Hub’ at King George Station is returning to Council on Monday June 12. This 2nd phase of the eventual 4-phase project was initially approved back in 2014 under a previous application, but did not proceed to construction. One of the reasons for this was the need for a road adjustment on the site to accommodate the future LRT station along King George Blvd outside the existing Coast Capital Savings building (Phase A of the project). As a result, the road constructed as part of Phase A will be re-constructed further south to allow more space for the LRT station to the north. With this road adjustment has also come a re-design of the project as a whole. While the concept is generally still the same, the architecture has changed substantially, and the project has grown from 2 towers (as part of Phase B) to 3.

Details of Phase B now include:

• A 15-storey office tower (137,084 sq.ft.) at the new intersection of 98A & KGB
• A 40-storey condo tower (434 units) at Fraser Hwy & KGB
• A 29-storey condo tower (302 units) at Fraser Hwy & 137 St

• A 112,535-sq.ft. single-storey retail podium consisting of two large format retailers (a grocery store and a drug store) and a number of smaller format CRU’s.

• A stand-alone 9,376-sq.ft. 2-storey restaurant south of the Coast Capital Building.
• An expanded plaza the heart of the project, which will allow for retailers, such as the grocery store and restaurants to spill out onto with displays and seating to animate the space. The plaza aligns with the Coast Capital Community Plaza to the north.

Further architectural details include:

• The 40-storey tower is proposed to be accentuated with a “ribbon” punctuated feature cladding on the west and east façades, with a canopy linkage that will architecturally and physically connect each tower and provide an overhead trellis wrapping over an amenity space at each tower’s rooftop.
• The 29-storey residential tower is proposed as a “complementary tower” and will express the same architectural vocabulary as the taller tower at a reduced vertical scale.
• Both residential towers are defined by contrasting major elements: refined high performance curtain wall glazing and linear projected balconies providing solar shading and glare reduction to the south, while the west and east ends are distinguished from the curtain wall with the “ribbon” feature punctuated façade with recessed balconies.
• The proposed material palette is broken up to create distinctive buildings on the site.

Proposed Public Art:

• 2 locations for public art have been identified. One art installation will be located within the plaza, fronting 98B Avenue and the other art installation will be within the traffic circle of 98B Avenue / 137 Street.

Project plans and elevations:

Noticeably missing in the re-designed project is the Movie Theatre that was initially proposed under the 2014 application. It is expected that Phase B will begin construction in 2018 and be completed in 2021.

For more on the application:
http://www.surrey.ca/bylawsandcouncillibrary/PLR_7917-0162-00.pdf

Tien Sher Group’s long awaited ‘Whalley District’ is finally heading to Council on Monday June 12 for 1st & 2nd Readings. The project which first appeared in 2012 under a previous application, and then again in 2015 under its current application, is aiming to kickstart a revitalization of the historic heart of Whalley near 108th Ave & King George Blvd.

Details of the plan released in the Planning Report to Council indicate that the project will be built in 3 phases as outlined below:

Phase 1:

• • A 6-storey condo tower with retail at ground level fronting Whalley Blvd
  • A 35-storey condo tower with retail, arts, and plaza space below.
  • 4 live/work townhouse units
  • A 426-sq. metre (4,585-sq.ft.) street-level outdoor plaza at the intersection of future 136A Street and 107A Avenue. The plaza is intended to be used as a public gathering space where frequent weekend entertainment, education, and art events can take place. The applicant has proposed to partner with a non-profit arts and culture organization (Flamingo Square Arts Connection) to activate the space.

Phase 1 will include a total of 349 dwelling units. The commercial component for Phase 1 will consist of 1,960 square metres (21,095 sq.ft.) of floor area.

Phases 2-3:

• A 37-storey condo tower with retail at ground level
• A 46-storey condo tower with retail at ground level, including a large-format grocery store.

It is expected that Phase 1 of the project will get underway by Spring 2018.

A new promotional video has been posted on the City of Surrey’s YouTube channel featuring the emerging West Village neighbourhood of Surrey City Centre. Located to the west of Surrey Central Station north of 102 Ave and south of 104 Ave, West Village is a newly coined name for the area, in the midst of transformation into high density, mixed-use, green, urban neighbourhood.

Already home to a number of residential towers, West Village is poised to grow rapidly over the next decade with the addition of more residential towers, shops, offices, parks, pedestrian walkways, bike paths, a district energy centre, and an expanded Simon Fraser University. All this within close walking distance to SkyTrain, future LRT, Civic Plaza, and the city’s emerging Central Business District.

Aside from the focus on West Village, the video features a new live-action 3D rendered depiction of the future City Centre area, envisioned by 2025. While many of the future buildings shown in the video are conceptual placeholders, many others are known proposals or already under construction such as SFU’s Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering Building, and Weststone Group’s Evolve. Oddly however some known proposed and even under-construction buildings are absent from the film, such as the under construction Prime on the Plaza, which is shown as a vacant grass field next to SFU in the video.

The video and screenshots can be found below:

View of future Surrey City Centre (approx. 2025) West Village Neighbourhood (approx. 2025) View looking east on future Central Ave next to under construction Evolve View looking west on future Central Ave towards under construction Evolve View of the future District Energy Centre and West Village Park Top down view of future West Village Park & District Energy Centre Future West Village Park View of the Central Business District Future pedestrianized City Parkway at Central Avenue  SFU Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering Building View west towards SFU and West Village View west along Central Avenue (Oddly missing Prime on the Plaza)

WestStone Group’s Evolve project has begun to pick up pace at 133 + 103A Ave. The main tower has now reached a height of 8 floors, with pouring set to begin on the 9th floor by the end of the week. The 36-storey condo tower and accompanying 3-storey commercial building is phase 4 of the 8-phase West Village master planned neighbourhood being developed by WestStone Group. Phase 5, which will consist of a 44-storey rental tower above a 13-storey podium just east of Evolve, is expected to break ground later this year or early next. Across 133 St from Evolve work has also just begun on the new West Village Park & District Energy Centre, set to open in 2018.

For more on Evolve:

http://evolvecondos.com/

Concord Pacific has launched marketing for its next and final phase of its ‘Park’ development near King George Station. Named ‘Park George’ following Park Place, Park Avenue, and Park Boulevard, the twin tower project is now open for registration on the Park George website.

The project which received 3rd reading on June 25, 2018 and Final Adoption just a month later on July 23, 2018, has moved swiftly through the approvals process, and is expected to begin construction within the coming year. As reported back in June, the project will feature a pair of 35 & 39-storey towers adjacent to, and integrated with, Quibble Creek Park at 13778 100 Ave.

Completion is targeted for Spring 2022.

PCI Developments is moving ahead with the next phase of its master-planned King George Hub development at King George Station. Following the success of ‘Phase B’ which is currently under construction, ‘Phase C’ will add a 34-storey rental apartment tower with ground floor retail to the site just east of the completed Coast Capital Savings headquarters (Phase A).

Originally planned to be an office tower site, ‘Phase C’ is to include 371 residential units, above 9,322 SF of ground floor retail. Phase C will complete the northern street edge of the internal road on site known as ‘George Junction’, as well as the Coast Capital Plaza next to Phase A. The completed plaza is intended to allow for retailer displays and seating, while serving as a direct pedestrian connection through the Hub development to King George Station.

‘Phase C’ shown behind the existing Coast Capital Savings headquarters and to the left of currently under construction ‘Phase B’ View of ‘Phase C’ from King George Blvd View of ‘Phase C’ from the east looking towards King George Station View of Coast Capital Plaza between Phase A and C – connecting Hub to King George Station

In terms of architecture, the tower’s design references the pair of 29 & 40-storey residential towers currently under construction as part of Phase B, with a similar wide rectangular floor plate, and prominent canopy at the top of the tower. Phase C differs however with a more ‘playful’ design, featuring shifting coloured balconies every other floor for visual interest, and a light grey window wall running down the narrow north and south sides of the tower. Punctuated black-framed windows and white paneling cover the wider east and west facades.

The retail podium of the tower also aims create visual interest and promote a human-scale environment through varied heights and materials used for each of the retail units. This reinforces a small-scale retail rhythm along the street for a comfortable and pleasant pedestrian experience.

Punctuated windows and varied coloured balconies along east and west facades View from east towards King George Station Retail fronting Coast Capital Plaza between ‘Phase C’ and Coast Capital Savings headquarters View facing west of retail along George Junction – featuring varied materials and podium heights

Phase C marks the second to last phase of King George Hub – to be followed by Phase D on the remaining lands on the east end of the site. Phase D is expected to include up to 3 additional towers, bringing the total number of towers within King George Hub to 9. While it is unclear when Phase D will move forward, Phase C is expected to begin construction by next year, with occupancy targeted for summer 2022.

King George Hub lands with ‘Phase C’ site in green and future ‘Phase D’ site to the east North elevation view of Phases A-C East elevation view of Phase A-C

For more on Phase C of King George Hub: https://www.surrey.ca/bylawsandcouncillibrary/PLR_7918-0095-00.pdf

Welcome! UrbanSurrey is a new blog that will feature development in Surrey BC’s emerging City Centre. It will be a resource for development news, updates, and information. Check back as Surrey and this blog grow.

University District and 3 Civic Plaza as seen from Central City – May 25, 2016