[IMG]
[/IMG]
Developer: Young-In Development
Use: Residential
Location: 137th St & 100 Ave
http://www.skycentralcity.com
Two high rise condominium projects are set to help define the skyline of Surrey’s City Centre.
The 36 and 40-storey Sky Towers are being developed by Young In Development headed up by CEO and South Korean businessman Hee Yong Yang. He is the same developer that took over responsibility for Surrey’s Infinity Towers.
The two new towers are expected to cost about $350 million and include 900 housing units.
When complete, the two structures will be the tallest buildings found between Vancouver and Calgary.
In addition to the housing units, each tower will feature a sky top solarium with a 50-foot glass atrium as well as a 4,000 square foot terrace.
The architect of the project said that he took an unusual approach to the development.
“We made the rooftop fully accessible to the residents,” says Patrick Cotter, from Patrick Cotter Architecture Inc.
He added that the top of such structures is generally considered prime real estate and not designed for the majority of tenants.
“The view is going to be so striking, it didn’t seem fair to give it one penthouse owner,” he says.
Cotter added that the top of the buildings will be quite distinctive.
“They (politicians in Surrey) wanted buildings that will be landmarks,” he says. “And these buildings accomplish that.”
The towers will make the most of adjacent green space and the 360 view of the Lower Mainland.
“We wanted to take full advantage of the unique site and setting for the new buildings,” he says.
Scheduled amenities include two entertainment rooms for large parties, two double height lounges, two theatre rooms and a 2,383 square foot fitness centre. All seven towers are a $1 billion endeavour and are expected to bring 2,900 housing units to market.
Infinity’s first tower is scheduled for completion in early 2008 with the second and third towers currently under construction.
They are expected to be completed in 2009.
The 36-storey SkyTower should be built by 2010 with the 40-storey tower scheduled to be completed the following year.
“The plan is to transform it (Surrey’s Central City) into a downtown core,” says Bryon Lee, a spokesman for Yang.
“The Infinity project was a cornerstone project in changing Surrey.”
He said that Yang recognized a need for this type of development.
“We see there is a lot of demand,” he said. “He saw an opportunity there.” The company, Incorporated Jung Developments, headed up by Yang, took over financing and construction of all five Infinity Towers after the first developer was unable to complete the project.
Yang moved to Vancouver in 2004 from South Korea, where he found success as the founder of the fast food chicken franchise Pelicana.
The fast food chain includes more than 2,000 restaurants across the country. Infinity and Sky Towers are Yang’s first foray into condominium development, although he has developed property as part of his fast food chicken franchise.
Threaded Mode