An open house was held on Nov 30 to discuss the future of Forsyth Park, a new 3 hectare park in the north-east area of the City Centre near 106th & 140th St. The City of Surrey has been acquiring properties for the park since 1989 and is now ready to embark on its first phase of development, beginning with public consultation and design this winter, and moving into construction by summer in time for a fall 2017 opening. With the area slowly starting to densify with recent multi-family projects such as Porte Communities’ HQ directly south of the park, the timing is now right to develop such an amenity space in the area.

As part of the open house that was held, a number of display boards were presented that provided a preliminary concept of what the park may look like, with this likely to be modified based on comments received from the open house. The park is envisioned to be a ‘Contemporary Urban Place’ for neighbourhood residents to enjoy the outdoors, play, and bring their dogs. One of the boards also provided a glimpse of how this park will tie into a network of greenways, spaces, and parks throughout the city centre as it develops over the next few decades. This illustrative plan also gives a good impression of how the City Centre itself will transform over-time, with a finer grained street grid, and a more compact urban form. See below for images.

http://www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/2076.aspx

Illustrative Plan close-up of the Surrey Central area:

Illustrative Plan close-up of the King George area:

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 February 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 first month of 2021.

New Development Applications

One new development application was submitted within City Centre during January 2021, bringing the total number of major applications under initial review to 32. This represents approximately 35 High-Rises (>6-Storeys) and 21 Low-Rises (4-6 Storeys).

21 – 0006 | City Parkway & Central Ave

This site located on the corner of City Parkway & Central Ave across from Surrey Central Station saw a Rezoning, Subdivision, and Development Permit application submitted in January 2021. The application is proposing to redevelop the site into a new mixed-use high-rise tower containing 435 residential units above a 167,594 SF office podium. The site is currently occupied by the single storey ‘Andes Plaza’ commercial building, and a single storey restaurant building.

Council Approvals

One major project received approval from Council during January 2021, joining 32 other pre-existing approved projects. As of February 2021, there are now 33 approved projects in City Centre, representing 41 High-Rises (>6-Storeys), and 22 Low-Rises (4-6 Storeys).

20 – 0018 | Flamingo Block (Phase 1)

Phase 1 of the Flamingo Block by Tien Sher Group received 3rd Reading (Conditional Approval) on January 11, 2021. Located at Whalley Blvd & 107A St, the project is to consist of a 35-Storey residential tower and 6-Storey office building with retail at grade.

Phase 1 had previously received approval in February 2019 for a 35-Storey residential tower + residential low-rise instead of office. Phases 2-3 consisting of 37 & 46-Storey residential towers with retail at grade are to follow under separate development applications.

Construction

No new projects began construction during January 2021, however one project finished construction (Central City Parkade), and one project began demolition, after having been halted in Fall 2020 (La Voda – 6-Storey Residential).

As of February 2021, there are 16 projects under construction in City Centre, representing 15 high-rises (>6 Storeys) and 6 low-rises (4-6-storeys).

King George Hub nearing completion at King George Station Georgetown One’s Retail & Townhouse podium taking shape along future 102A Ave Streetscape and finishing touches underway at Linea on 104 Ave The Central City Parkade expansion completed in January 2021 44-Storey One Central now above grade in West Village Excavation underway at phase 1 of Townline’s 25-Storey ‘The Holland’ project

Concord Pacific’s Park Avenue West has finally opened near King George Station in Surrey City Centre. The tower which began construction in 2014, is the taller twin to Park Avenue East which opened in late 2016.

Standing at 39 Storeys tall, Park Avenue West not only adds another condo tower to the area, but also completes the the Park Avenue development, bringing with it a number of resort-style amenities, new public plaza space, walkways open to the public, lighting features, and a corner fountain with spotlights that illuminates the building in changing purple and blue tones at night. Park Avenue is the successor to the original 3 Park Place towers at King George Station, and is set to be followed by Park Boulevard which is expected to break ground by next year.

The opening of Park Avenue has quickly given a new feel to the area. A walk through the new public plaza, pathway, and amenity areas provides a good sense the future feel of Surrey City Centre, and the King George Station area in particular, with the quality of urban design and landscaping on-par and comparable to areas of Coal Harbour and Concord Pacific’s False Creek neighbourhood. With a number of new developments set to break ground within the next year in the immediate vicinity, the area’s transformation will only continue.

New corner fountain at Whalley Blvd + 100 Avenue featuring coloured spotlights. View west along 100 Avenue of Park Avenue West lobby View east on 100 Avenue of Park Avenue West entrance View of the Park Avenue parking access area New public pathway connecting to Whalley Blvd Parking Garage entry and pool deck to the right View further back along new public pathway Private pool within Park Avenue amenity area Horizontal lighting feature on top of Park Avenue West and East Pool deck within private amenity area Amenity area tennis court along new public path Park Avenue West and East as seen from King George Station Park Avenue West and East with Park Place in forefront from King George Station Purple toned lighting feature on Park Avenue West as seen from 100 Avenue

For more on Park Avenue:

https://www.parkavenueliving.ca

Lark Group‘s 10-storey ‘City Centre 3’ development across from Surrey Memorial Hospital is set to appear before Council on Monday, September 11 for 1st & 2nd readings. The project is the 3rd in a series of towers being developed by Lark Group as part of the emerging medical, technology district dubbed Innovation Boulevard. The tower follows the 12-storey ‘City Centre 1’ completed in 2014, and the currently under construction 12-storey ‘City Centre 2’. A Business in Vancouver article published earlier this year indicated that Lark Group has plans for up to 8 towers in total for the area, envisioned to become a “Stanford University type” medical / research hub.

Like its predecessors, City Centre 3 will provide office space for a mix of medical offices, research, and tech firms, along with ground-floor retail. It will also provide space for a new private surgical centre. The development is seeking both OCP and City Centre Plan amendments from 3.5 FAR to 5.5 FAR, as well as Rezoning and Development Permit. Designed by Wensley Architecture Ltd., the building offers a striking design and will be a welcome addition to the growing cluster of mid-rise towers in the quickly urbanizing area at the south end of Surrey City Centre.

The November issue of the City Centre Monthly Update is now out at SurreyCityCentre.ca. This month’s newsletter includes a round-up of new Development Applications, Council Approvals, and Construction activity during the previous month.

New Development Applications

20-0233 (Center Block)

View from Civic Plaza of the initial phase of Centre Block – 14 + 35-Storey Office & Retail

A preliminary Rezoning and General Development Permit application has been submitted for the first phase of the much anticipated redevelopment of the North Surrey Recreation Centre site, known as ‘Center Block.’ The applicant, Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC), is proposing 1,446,088 sq.ft. of office and commercial space, next to Civic Plaza and Surrey Central Station as part of this initial phase, which will include 2 office buildings at 14 & 35-Storeys, with retail at grade. The current application is for rezoning and master plan approval only. Separate applications will be submitted in the future for each building / phase.

The Center Block project plans to transform the city’s core with a number of new office towers, an expanded SFU campus, retail, and a new transit plaza integrated with a revamped Surrey Central Station, expected to be built over the coming decade.

20-0244 (9525 King George Blvd)

This application replaces a previously approved Seniors Living & Care Facility project known as ‘Innovation Boulevard’ originally planned for a site across from Surrey Memorial Hospital. Since failing to attract investment in that project since its approval in 2016, WestStone Group has now submitted a new application for the site. The new application is proposing a mixed-use residential, office, and retail development, which is to include 920 residential units, and 10,841 sq.ft. of commercial space.

Council Approvals

18-0443 (13245 104 Ave)

13-Storey Rental Apartment at 13245 104 Ave

This mixed rental and market residential project at 13245 104 Avenue received 3rd Reading (Conditional Approval) in October 2020. The current application included a detailed Development Permit for just Phase 1 of the project, which will include a 13-storey rental apartment building (115 Units) on the north portion of the site. Phase 2, subject to a future detailed Development Permit application, is to include a 16-storey market residential building, containing 157 units, on the south portion of the site fronting 104 Avenue.

The site is adjacent to, and will eventually become integrated, with a similar application to the east, which received Conditional Approval in September 2020 for a 21-storey rental and 26-storey market residential project.

Master Plan for adjacent rental & market residential projects at 13245 & 13264 104 Ave

19-0105 (The Holland 2)

The Holland 2 – 32-Storey Market Residential

The second phase of Townline Homes ‘The Holland’ project received Conditional Approval in October 2020. This phase will include a 32-storey market residential tower consisting of 308 units at 13333 Old Yale Rd. The first phase of the project, consisting of a 25-storey market residential tower, began construction in September 2020.

Construction

The month of October 2020 saw continued construction on 15 major projects within City Centre, including 15 high-rise towers (>6 Storeys) and 4 low-rises (6-storeys or less) representing:

• 5,190 Residential Units
• 312,179 Sq.ft. of Office Space
• 164,220 sq.ft. of Retail

A 6-storey residential project at Fraser Hwy and 140 Street known as Fraser Landmark completed in October 2020.

Fraser Landmark at Fraser Hwy & 140 St completed construction in October 2020 Construction progress at King George Hub (Phase B) King George Hub (Phase C) – 34-Storey Rental Apartments Linea – 28-Storey Market Residential nearing completion at 133 St & 104 Ave City Centre 3 – 10-Storey Office across from Surrey Memorial Georgetown One – 30-Storey Residential & Retail at 102 Ave & Whalley Blvd One Central – 44-Storey Residential under construction in West Village

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

With the new year upon us, it’s time for this blog’s annual review of the past year in Surrey City Centre, as well as a look at what can be expected ahead in 2020. Additionally this year, we will also take a look back at the past decade, which saw accelerating growth and transformation in City Centre, a trend likely to persist as Surrey’s downtown becomes further established, and continues to attract more people, businesses, institutions, and jobs.

Growth in 2019

Construction activity in Surrey City Centre reached record levels in 2019, with many projects approved in previous years entering the construction phase, joining others already under construction, and others completing. Overall 2019 construction activity is summarized below:

6 significant projects began construction

• One Central | 44 Storeys
• Georgetown One | 30 Storeys
• Linea | Residential | 28 Storeys
• Veterans Village | Mixed-Use | 20 Storeys
• Camellia | Residential | 5 Storeys
• La Voda | Residential | 6 Storeys

7 significant projects continued construction

• King George Hub B | Residential, Office, Retail | 15 + 29 + 40 Storeys
• Park Boulevard | Residential | 39 Storeys
• King George Hub C | Rental Residential | 34 Storeys
• City Centre 3 | Office, Retail | 10 Storeys
• Fraser Landmark | Residential | 6 Storeys
• Maverick | Residential | 5 Storeys
• 13904 102 Ave | Residential | 4 Storeys

8 significant projects completed construction

• Prime | Residential, Office, Retail | 37 Storeys
• Evolve | Residential, Office, Retail | 36 Storeys
• Aspire | Residential | 6 Storeys
• Porte HQ | Residential | 6 Storeys
• SFU Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering Building | 5 Storeys
• 9909 140 St | Residential | 4 Storeys
• Surrey Central Station Expansion
• West Village Park & District Energy Centre

One Central under excavation at Central Ave & 133A St Linea by Rize under construction at 104 Ave & 133 St King George Hub (Phase B) under construction at King George Blvd & Fraser Hwy Park Boulevard under construction on Whalley Blvd near 100 Ave King George Hub B & Park Boulevard as seen from Fraser Hwy Georgetown One under excavation at Whalley Blvd & 102 Ave City Centre 3 by Lark Group under construction on 96 Ave Aspire recently completed on 101 Ave near Whalley Blvd Prime completed in Fall 2019 at University Dr & Central Ave HQ by Porte at 140 St & 105A Ave completed early 2019 Evolve completed in 2019 at Central Ave & 133 St SFU Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering Building completed in Spring 2019 Surrey Central Station expansion completed in Spring 2019 West Village Park & District Energy Centre completed in Spring 2019

As for new Development Applications, 2019 saw a drop from 2018’s record number of 25 applications, to 19 new applications. This is still well above all previous years in the decade between 2010 and 2017, indicating continued strong interest from the development community in 2019. These 19 new Development Applications included approximately 21 towers (>6 Storeys) and 14 low-rises (4-6 Storeys), comprising over 7,200 units and over 300,000 sq.ft. of commercial space in 2019 applications alone.

As of January 2020, in total there are currently 65 significant active applications either under review, approved, or under construction in City Centre consisting of approximately 69 high rises (>6 Storeys) and 44 low-rises (

The crane is now in the process of being removed from Bosa Properties’ Alumni Tower project in Surrey City Centre. Alumni Tower is the first of 8 towers planned as part of Bosa’s University District development along 104 Avenue between University Drive and King George Blvd. At 36 stories, it will contain 310 condo units, along with retail and office space. Completion is scheduled for Fall 2016.

For more on University District:
http://ud.bosaproperties.com

Photos by UrbanSurrey – June 6, 2016

Bosa Properties’ University District is progressing with work continuing on the interior as well as balconies, exterior finishing touches, and sidewalk. While not scheduled for completion until later this year, the building has already transformed the area, creating a very urban, downtown streetscape along 104 Avenue, which will only improve with opening of the building’s retail. According to Form Leasing’s website, there are 5 units available which have not yet been leased.

http://form.ca/universitydistrict.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/

Earlier this month, excavation began for what is to become Surrey’s 2nd tallest tower – One Central in West Village. The 44-Storey, 134m (438 ft.) tower by China-based developer Aoyuan will rise at the corner of 133A St and Central Ave, adding to the growing cluster of towers in the densely populated West Village neighbourhood.

Once complete, the tower will contain 550 units, including 11 ground-oriented townhouses at its base, and 4,596 sq. ft. of ground-level retail space. The building will also include 11,501 sq. ft. of indoor amenity space throughout the building on levels 1, 3, 14, 34, and 44 – signified by horizontal architectural breaks in the tower, and 10,247 sq. ft. of outdoor amenity space, including an expansive rooftop deck. 

With excavation now underway, building completion can be expected by late 2022 / early 2023.

https://onecentral.ca

The December Issue of the City Centre Monthly Update is now out at SurreyCityCentre.ca. This month’s newsletter includes a round-up of new Development Applications, Council Approvals, and Construction activity over the past month.

New Development Applications

Four new major development applications were submitted within City Centre during the past month of November 2020, bringing the total number of major projects under initial review to 34. This represents approximately 27 HighRises (6 Storeys) and 4 low-rises (6-storeys or less) representing:

• 5,190 Residential Units
• 312,179 Sq.ft. of Office Space
• 164,220 sq.ft. of Retail

A 6-storey residential project at Fraser Hwy and 140 Street known as Fraser Landmark completed in October 2020.

Fraser Landmark at Fraser Hwy & 140 St completed construction in October 2020 Construction progress at King George Hub (Phase B) King George Hub (Phase C) – 34-Storey Rental Apartments Linea – 28-Storey Market Residential nearing completion at 133 St & 104 Ave City Centre 3 – 10-Storey Office across from Surrey Memorial Georgetown One – 30-Storey Residential & Retail at 102 Ave & Whalley Blvd One Central – 44-Storey Residential under construction in West Village

With the new year upon us, it’s time for this blog’s annual review of the past year in Surrey City Centre, as well as a look at what can be expected ahead in 2020. Additionally this year, we will also take a look back at the past decade, which saw accelerating growth and transformation in City Centre, a trend likely to persist as Surrey’s downtown becomes further established, and continues to attract more people, businesses, institutions, and jobs.

Growth in 2019

Construction activity in Surrey City Centre reached record levels in 2019, with many projects approved in previous years entering the construction phase, joining others already under construction, and others completing. Overall 2019 construction activity is summarized below:

6 significant projects began construction

• One Central | 44 Storeys
• Georgetown One | 30 Storeys
• Linea | Residential | 28 Storeys
• Veterans Village | Mixed-Use | 20 Storeys
• Camellia | Residential | 5 Storeys
• La Voda | Residential | 6 Storeys

7 significant projects continued construction

• King George Hub B | Residential, Office, Retail | 15 + 29 + 40 Storeys
• Park Boulevard | Residential | 39 Storeys
• King George Hub C | Rental Residential | 34 Storeys
• City Centre 3 | Office, Retail | 10 Storeys
• Fraser Landmark | Residential | 6 Storeys
• Maverick | Residential | 5 Storeys
• 13904 102 Ave | Residential | 4 Storeys

8 significant projects completed construction

• Prime | Residential, Office, Retail | 37 Storeys
• Evolve | Residential, Office, Retail | 36 Storeys
• Aspire | Residential | 6 Storeys
• Porte HQ | Residential | 6 Storeys
• SFU Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering Building | 5 Storeys
• 9909 140 St | Residential | 4 Storeys
• Surrey Central Station Expansion
• West Village Park & District Energy Centre

One Central under excavation at Central Ave & 133A St Linea by Rize under construction at 104 Ave & 133 St King George Hub (Phase B) under construction at King George Blvd & Fraser Hwy Park Boulevard under construction on Whalley Blvd near 100 Ave King George Hub B & Park Boulevard as seen from Fraser Hwy Georgetown One under excavation at Whalley Blvd & 102 Ave City Centre 3 by Lark Group under construction on 96 Ave Aspire recently completed on 101 Ave near Whalley Blvd Prime completed in Fall 2019 at University Dr & Central Ave HQ by Porte at 140 St & 105A Ave completed early 2019 Evolve completed in 2019 at Central Ave & 133 St SFU Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering Building completed in Spring 2019 Surrey Central Station expansion completed in Spring 2019 West Village Park & District Energy Centre completed in Spring 2019

As for new Development Applications, 2019 saw a drop from 2018’s record number of 25 applications, to 19 new applications. This is still well above all previous years in the decade between 2010 and 2017, indicating continued strong interest from the development community in 2019. These 19 new Development Applications included approximately 21 towers (>6 Storeys) and 14 low-rises (4-6 Storeys), comprising over 7,200 units and over 300,000 sq.ft. of commercial space in 2019 applications alone.

As of January 2020, in total there are currently 65 significant active applications either under review, approved, or under construction in City Centre consisting of approximately 69 high rises (>6 Storeys) and 44 low-rises (