Surrey Updates

[CoryHolmes]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

...but they meet the street so poorly ...

How do you define "so poorly"? The renderings look no different than D'Corize or City Pointe's parking enterences.

Speaking of, has anyone heard anything about the planned towers across the street from D'Corize? Or have those been shelved?

[red-paladin]

Come on guys. Half the comments on this forum are about how everyone hates James Cheng style seafoam cookie cutter towers. Now that something is considerably different, the first comment is how it would stick out like a sore thumb and it would be better to have something that looks like infinity.

[Whalleyboy]

personally i don't mind them sure they look a little retro but would still take them especially in the taller version

[geoff's two cents]

Ugly as they are, I like that they're affordable, and think they exude a certain retro charm as well (like Vancouver's west end). What I don't like about the project is the peach/lavender color, as well as the lack of a connection to the street. The color would be less of an issue were it not for the matching early 1990s lavender complex across the street; ironically, the proposal might sit better with me if it were an island in a sea of generic Concord buildings. Street connectivity would be less problematic as well if there were townhomes incorporated into the base. Ultimately, I highly doubt council would approve the project in its present incarnation, and expect that significant design changes will have to be made.

[jlousa]

The comment about it's street presence is very valid. A building that meets the street well, is worth much more to a city then a tall one. They do not need to be exclusive though. This example has height but it's terribly integrated at the ground floor. Surrey would be wise to stop projects like this and send them back to the drawing board to fix the problem. The public might not notice it much on a project to project basis but when you string together a few good buildings at street level compared to a few bad ones the difference is astounding.

[Whalleyboy]

first i want to say i'm glad to see that i'm not the only one who thinks the colour could be the problem

but as for meeting the street its not like university drive is a huge shoping area and stuff this tower are located by park zone
plus looking at this picture i think it works well especially with adding the bike path between the buildings

[red-paladin]

Does anyone know the whole story about the empty "Asian Centre" on 104th?
I found and old article here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2473513/Asian-Centre, and a Bankruptcy case here: http://www.telawyers.com/cacdire.htm.

I understand that it was a semi-failed project with Asian backers like Infinity, but I just don't understand why it's empty. Wouldn't whoever owns it now probably like to make money renting it out?

Here's a link to the Google Maps photo: http://maps.google.com/maps?key=ABQIAAAA...22.830059&spn=0.003253,0.010986&t=h&z=17

[Whalleyboy]

well originally T&T market was suppose to be the main store in but its now in central so that was part of the reason why nothing happen to it.
There had been rumors of originally it was gonna be the RCMP main office. Also I've heard it as also possibly gonna be another outpatient hospital.
Haven't heard much of anything as of lately. With the new apartment and the other building on the corner being rebuilt there and that area is a set growth node area i'm sure something will happen with it soon...i hope

[theQ]

My uncle works for the company that supplied all the brick for the project. He told me that it was his understanding that an rich Asian buyer bought out all the other Asian investors for 30 cents on the dollar a couple of years ago. Because he bought it for so cheap, and because he has so much money, he's in no rush to do anything with it, and he's happy to just "sit on it" for a while.

This is all heresay from suppliers talking, but it sounds quite possible...

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by theQ

My uncle works for the company that supplied all the brick for the project. He told me that it was his understanding that an rich Asian buyer bought out all the other Asian investors for 30 cents on the dollar a couple of years ago. Because he bought it for so cheap, and because he has so much money, he's in no rush to do anything with it, and he's happy to just "sit on it" for a while.

This is all heresay from suppliers talking, but it sounds quite possible...

that is what I heard also.......the owner is loaded and will only move on the project when he can get it ALL leased....think university or hospital or some sort of governmental usage.

until then it will sit in it's current state......

[Whalleyboy]

So out of curiosity i messaged the city to see if they could share any info about future spectator arena
and hears what i've managed to find out

City staff have been working on potential locations for a spectator arena in City Centre for the past few years. Obviously some of the information is restricted as it may involve land acquisition. Part of that process also evaluates different delivery models for such a facility.

then i asked if they could atleast share how many seats it would hold. They replied with 10,000+

good to hear they are looking to go bigger then Langley and Abbotsford

[whalley13]

I don't think we are gonna get a new arena in D/t Surrey for a long, especially if its' gonna be a public build....at least until city hall is built that should get Dianne Watts and Co. through a couple of elections at least lol

The other big factor is a 10,000 seat arena means a WHL team, and that might be risky in Surrey, a unproven sports market

[CoryHolmes]

Construction of the new library is proceeding nicely. It took only a few days to turn that previous medical clinic and parking lot into a flat pancake, and as of two hours ago there is a nice open pit in the ground being excavated

I may have to eat my words when I said I doubted if Dianne Watts could pull off getting that library green-lit and built inside of the Federal Government's timetable. That'll be the best meal of my life

[vanman]

^Time for a thread of it's own?

[josiebug]

http://www.surrey.ca/Living+in+Surrey/Pa...blic+Meetings/Surrey+Bend+Open+House.htm

[Whalleyboy]

the surrey city centre link on the surrey home page is up now
http://www.surrey.ca/Doing+Business/Surrey+City+Centre/default.htm

[Diet Butcher]

Anyone have an update on when the SFU Residence is supposed to Break Ground and what the timeframe for completion is?

[Whalleyboy]

some time in 2011 i believe
its on there page some where to lazy to link right now

[metroXpress]

CITY INVESTIGATING STADIUM OPTIONS



Following the announcement that Surrey would host the 2012 BC Summer Games, dialogue began about the lack of a major stadium in the city. At the time, a number of elected officials, from all levels of government, were apparently discussing options for such a facility.

Now, information has been received that the City has continued these conversations and is studying various options for a stadium. According to staff, the City has been working out potential locations for a “spectator arena” in the City Centre. The project may involve land acquisition and they are investigating a number of delivery models for such a facility. The estimated capacity would be 10,000 people, making the arena larger than both the Langley Events Centre (5200) and the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (7000).

The City had previously been pursuing the development of a 5500 seat spectator arena as part of the redevelopment of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. That facility was expected to replace the existing ice arena and be part of a new trade and convention centre. The Fairgrounds plan has been left untouched since 2007. The City has since redirected its efforts and resources into building the City Centre, a site much more suitable for such a facility.

civic surrey

[metroXpress]

Ultra sales restart, construction soon


Phase 3 of WestStone’s Urban Village development is set to begin shortly, with the 40 storey Ultra tower destined to become Surrey’s tallest building. Touting the new Library and City Hall as part of the development’s marketing scheme, selected pre-sales are to start in the near future, with studio units beginning at just $158,000. Price wise, new condos in Surrey City Centre have remained consistently hundreds of thousands cheaper than areas such as Brentwood, North Vancouver, and Richmond Centre. Ultra was put on hold due to the Great Recession of 2008, and following a slight restructuring of the project, is seemingly ready to start back up again.

civic surrey