Surrey City Centre Redevelopment Plans

[s211]

Originally Posted by scryer

Personally I am still waiting for all of the parking lots across from Surrey Central > KGB to get redeveloped into something. I think that those parking lots and lowrise commercial zones would be absolute gold to obtain and develop.

The same thing was said 30 years ago.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by s211

The same thing was said 30 years ago.

Yeah... I am hoping that with this recent wave of proposals will encourage someone to approach those lands with an innovative vision.

For me it doesn't have to ALL be towers; in fact it would be cool to get some sort of an outdoor market (like Lonsdale Quay) along with towers and high density developments. As much as I love towers (and would be happy with them in those lots) I think that those parking lots should be redeveloped more creatively alongside towers. Again, this is just me.

[Shift]

Thanks everyone.

As for the Centre Block - There's an active application on it now to subdivide the site into 3 parcels. One of the parcels would be for 102A Avenue (instead of it being a proper road dedication, would be on a private parcel). The application page mentions this parcel would facilitate a 'parkage' underneath it (which wouldn't normally be allowed under a road dedication). Sounds to me like TransLink will be locating their bus layover facility underground - not behind SFU where initially planned.

This subdivision is the first piece of the puzzle in redeveloping those lands. Once the new parcels are created, subsequent development applications will likely follow on them.

From my understanding, the bus layover facility needs to be built first before they can tear down the bus loop and begin to redevelop that site.

https://apps.surrey.ca/Online-Development-Inquiry/?year=20&seq=0104

[rpvan]

1,000 homes in three towers approved near SkyTrain's Surrey Central Station

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/13437-105-avenue-surrey

[scryer]

Originally Posted by rpvan

1,000 homes in three towers approved near SkyTrain's Surrey Central Station

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/13437-105-avenue-surrey

Looking good, Surrey!

[Nites]

I wonder if Kenneth Chan frequents this forum.

[Westbased]

Originally Posted by Shift

Thanks everyone.

Sounds to me like TransLink will be locating their bus layover facility underground - not behind SFU where initially planned.

This would be interesting. UBC's new bus exchange is sort of underground, with residential above. That would work pretty great for Centre Block...

[EhJay]

Originally Posted by Westbased

This would be interesting. UBC's new bus exchange is sort of underground, with residential above. That would work pretty great for Centre Block...

Be a better use of surface space and help the area be more visually appealing too.

[Hooknose]

Originally Posted by s211

The same thing was said 30 years ago.

Actually, only four lots remain on Surrey central that have not been accumulated.

The hockey store, the cloverdale paint, the Vancity and the car lease place.

All the rest are in the hands of developers and all have very large plans, 40 to 45 stories, plus

there will be 7 or 8 such towers between 102 and 103, from KGH and Civic Parkway.

[rpvan]

Originally Posted by Hooknose

Actually, only four lots remain on Surrey central that have not been accumulated.

The hockey store, the cloverdale paint, the Vancity and the car lease place.

All the rest are in the hands of developers and all have very large plans, 40 to 45 stories, plus

there will be 7 or 8 such towers between 102 and 103, from KGH and Civic Parkway.

So I take it there's no chance of a stadium anywhere near the central downtown district? The Safeway site has been previously discussed as a potential location for a stadium in the near future.

[Nites]

Originally Posted by rpvan

So I take it there's no chance of a stadium anywhere near the central downtown district? The Safeway site has been previously discussed as a potential location for a stadium in the near future.

With the current situation I don't see them even thinking about building an arena in Surrey within the next 2 years at least.

[vanvansurrey]

I really hope surrey central can do something more artistic/visually appealing with the safeway land across from the central skyrtrain than with some generic condo building design in the future. From most of the development designs in DT surrey, it is quite boring. It would be nice to bring some character to the area.

[brophy87]

I was thinking you could maybe put in concrete filled piles and build over top of the existing store and parking lot

https://www.reddit.com/r/SurreyBC/comments/eir4xz/downtown_surrey_stadium_conceptualized_on/

[CoryHolmes]

Originally Posted by vanvansurrey

I really hope surrey central can do something more artistic/visually appealing with the safeway land across from the central skyrtrain than with some generic condo building design in the future. From most of the development designs in DT surrey, it is quite boring. It would be nice to bring some character to the area.

I'd really like to see some variety beyond the simple concrete box. Stepped buildings, curved buildings, some interesting designs with the podium structures.

Box = boring.

[vanvansurrey]

Totally Agree. As "reputable" as Westbank is, I see all these nice designs really coming from this developer which is really shaping the vancouver skyline. Doesnt seem they are interested in Surrey at all since most people can't afford the premium they would want to charge.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by vanvansurrey

Totally Agree. As "reputable" as Westbank is, I see all these nice designs really coming from this developer which is really shaping the vancouver skyline. Doesnt seem they are interested in Surrey at all since most people can't afford the premium they would want to charge.

I mean maybe someone can answer how much of a premium does a famous architect and unique building methods add to the cost of construction.

[Westbased]

A premium product can probably add $100-200 per foot in cost to build depending on architecture and materials. That's on a gross buildable basis as well. When it comes down to net sellable, that can probably translate upwards of $250-300 per foot to recoup those costs and still make the pro forma work.

[logan5]

Now that the Evergreen Line is complete, Surrey has to compete with more scenic places like Port Moody and Coquitlam Centre, so I think this vision of high-rise towers has to go.

Skytrain has been in Surrey for over 20 years now, with not a lot of tower development. Coquitlam Centre already has more towers than Surrey, and they have had Skytrain for only 3 years. People don't want to pay the high rise condo premium in Surrey.

Surrey should sell itself as a very affordable alternative for housing, which it is right now, but it could be even more so if they focus on wood frame units, and stacked town-houses. In the long run Surrey would attract more residents.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by logan5

Now that the Evergreen Line is complete, Surrey has to compete with more scenic places like Port Moody and Coquitlam Centre, so I think this vision of high-rise towers has to go.

Skytrain has been in Surrey for over 20 years now, with not a lot of tower development. Coquitlam Centre already has more towers than Surrey, and they have had Skytrain for only 3 years. People don't want to pay the high rise condo premium in Surrey.

Surrey should sell itself as a very affordable alternative for housing, which it is right now, but it could be even more so if they focus on wood frame units, and stacked town-houses. In the long run Surrey would attract more residents.

I mean I wonder who will have more towers in 20 years?

[logan5]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I mean I wonder who will have more towers in 20 years?

Obviously Coquitlam Centre.