Surrey Updates

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Sheba

It would make more sense if they flipped it so the tallest buildings are closest to King George. Let's see if this turns out to be anything more than a fantasy plan.

Yeah, it would if it's office space - closer to the station - but then as a "signature" tower it would get buried among the other towers - although it would make a nice "gateway" tower along King George.

[Shift]

Signature tower makes more sense right at the corner of 108th and King George. Historic heart of Surrey (Whalley's Corner), and next to the future plaza on this corner (see teal blue on map below).

Tien Sher's signature 41-storey tower will be on the south-east corner next to the plaza.

Looking at the City Centre Plan, the City wants to extend Whalley Blvd through the site, and widen Binnie Lane to a full road standard, breaking the site into 2 sections. JKA's concept doesn't match this plan. They could apply to amend this though, as the block created south of Binnie lane looks very narrow.

On the second map the pink colour indicates that much of the site is City owned land.

[GMasterAres]

Originally Posted by Blease

Surrey's current mayor as well as all parties who ran for the mayor's office in the last election supported LRT. Asides one particular citizens coalition that makes it into the press from time to time, there's no one pushing for skytrain in Surrey. The City of Surrey has preliminary plans for LRT in place and it looks like this train has left the station.

Maybe the L-Line but the extension down Fraser Highway will almost certainly be SkyTrain. But I agree until shovels hit the ground it is not always for sure, and there is a municipal election next year so by the time we get all the funding in place, the current council and Mayor in Surrey could be gone.

Likely not, but could be.

[GMasterAres]

I'm also curious with respect to them calling it a signature tower. It is a good point about it being lost since it also seems to mention 400 ft. That would make it actually quite short. Then again Coast Capital is a signature building and not terribly tall I guess. The Tien Sher 41 storey tower would likely be taller. That may be why they are looking to stand it away from King George and 108th.

We also have to keep in mind that area plans are just that, plans. They are subject to change and evolution. Surrey has had multiple plans for Surrey Central over the decades and I'm fairly certain how Surrey Central has _actually_ developed hasn't matched any of the plans.

They're suggestions. But I do agree it would be odd to have a "signature" high rise directly across the street from flat single family houses especially in that area where there are virtually no sidewalks an the houses are small and on the older scale.

We shall see what happens.

[Shift]

^There have been 2 City Centre Plans. The first from 1991-2016. And the current that was adopted in January 2017 (but in the works since 2006).

I wouldn't say development hasn't matched the plans. There was just a lack of demand for development during the first plan, so it did not come to fruition. The development that did happen generally matched the plan, there just wasn't much of it.

Now that there is demand and momentum building, the plan is starting to be built out more as envisioned. Amendments will be applied for here and there, but generally all proposals under application right now are following the plan.

[EhJay]

I think jhausner was referring to the mall, but I could be wrong.

It also looks like it may have just been an architect putting their plans out there to build their resume as opposed to being something that was agreed on.

[Shift]

Originally Posted by EhJay

I think jhausner was referring to the mall, but I could be wrong.

It also looks like it may have just been an architect putting their plans out there to build their resume as opposed to being something that was agreed on.

Those plans look like a crude sketch-up model that could be thrown together in an hour and overlaid into google earth. Not really portfolio material.

Must have been hired to undertake some form of study. Would be odd for them to be posting that on their website otherwise.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Shift

Considering what a flop and no-mans'-land the Gateway area is, I find this proposal to be pretty much pie-in-the-sky. It has to be the least desirable site in the broader core area.

[Calgarian]

You guys should post that signature tower in teh Canadian Proposals thread, it's pretty nice looking. What are the odds of it getting built, 4/10?

[LeftCoaster]

You missed the negative sign.

-4/10

If it were built to that spec it would be one of if not the most expensive towers ever built in Canada. The what looks to be curved curtain wall adhered to a steel exoskeleton on non-repeating floor plates... in the middle of nowhere surrey?

Very attractive design though.

[Shift]

Originally Posted by s211

Considering what a flop and no-mans'-land the Gateway area is, I find this proposal to be pretty much pie-in-the-sky. It has to be the least desirable site in the broader core area.

Hardly least desirable. That site is a prime location for a significant project, hence why the city has bought up the land there. It directly fronts the future plaza at 108th & King George, and will have very high visibility at the bend of King George.

This is clearly a very preliminary concept at this stage, but I would expect something significant to go here eventually. Probably nothing like what is depicted though.

The area is run down now, but with the Tien Sher projects in the works, and Bosa's stuff at Gateway, the area is on course for change.

[Shift]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

in the middle of nowhere surrey?

Very attractive design though.

Maybe middle of nowhere looking backwards, but looking forward, this will be one of the main nodes of Surrey City Centre.

This is already under application across the street:

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Shift

Maybe middle of nowhere looking backwards, but looking forward, this will be one of the main nodes of Surrey City Centre.

This is already under application across the street:

I'm aware of what's being planned for that area. The issue is a matter of what they are proposing. If they were proposing the condo towers, sure that's a no brainer, but that signature tower is far too expensive and extravagant for the far edge of a secondary node in a suburban town centre. No way anyone pays the rent/sales figures needed to make that economic.

[Blease]

Provincial Government commits funds for Surrey City Centre YMCA.

http://www.peacearchnews.com/news/418684293.html

[EhJay]

Originally Posted by Blease

Provincial Government commits funds for Surrey City Centre YMCA.

http://www.peacearchnews.com/news/418684293.html

That's exciting.

It is expected the new Surrey facility will be 60,000 square feet, have an aquatics centre with two pools, a fitness centre, a gym, multipurpose rooms and a family development centre.

I wonder where they are planning to put this.

[Blease]

Ideally speaking the Safeway property would work really well for the YMCA. The store would have to come down but that is quite okay.

[iron]

What's the plan with the Sears Outlet on 104? Didn't it shut down awhile ago?

[CoryHolmes]

Originally Posted by iron

What's the plan with the Sears Outlet on 104? Didn't it shut down awhile ago?

That's owned by the same group that build University District. It's a part of the UD development, actually.

[Shift]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I'm aware of what's being planned for that area. The issue is a matter of what they are proposing. If they were proposing the condo towers, sure that's a no brainer, but that signature tower is far too expensive and extravagant for the far edge of a secondary node in a suburban town centre. No way anyone pays the rent/sales figures needed to make that economic.

For sure, I never said that tower would be built. I don't see that proposal happening at all as depicted.

Site could likely have a signature tower of some sort on it though, just a different design / materials. Civic Plaza is signature, more traditional construction methods, materials.

[Shift]

From Adessa Visuals instagram

Early rendering of the proposed Anthem Properties Surrey City Centre development:



Site for reference: