Truemors is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
49 Storey Tower to House SFU Surrey Expansion
Share:
by timtim | March 11, 2009 at 09:56 pm
796 views | 2 Recommendations | 3 comments
Photos
Surrey's City Centre will see a huge economic boost in the coming years if a proposed Central City Phase II plan proceeds. The proposal includes a new city hall, recreation and arts facilities, and an expansion to Simon Fraser University's successful Surrey campus. Phase I, completed in 2003, won international architectural acclaim when it was completed. The 26 storey tower is currently the tallest building in Surrey, a suburb of Metro Vancouver.
The next phase, designed by Bing Thom Architects, would include a cluster of buildings across the street from Phase I, and next to the Central City SkyTrain station. A 49 storey office tower would be the centre piece, and the current plaza would be extended into the new development. The plaza would be able to support large cultural events and may include a water feature which acts as an skating rink in winter. SFU is also keen on expanding, and may double its current capacity in the new development. SFU may also move many sports programmes to the new expanded campus from its main Burnaby facilities.
Surrey's mayor, Dianne Watts, has commited to moving city hall to the new city centre, and has pledged to develop the area into a commercial centre rivalling downtown Vancouver. Numerous other developments are currently in the planning stages, though recent troubles in the economy may delay activity.
A recent presentation at SFU Surrey revealed more details about the project, but a start date is still unknown.
Advertisement
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most Recommended Comment
Crowd Power
timtim
Vancouver, Canada
Related Stories
Recommendations (2)
Anonymous users (2)
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
- Sign In or Join to post comments
deepey (not verified)at 22:29 on March 11th, 2009
I just can't handle anymore of these skyscrapers blocking out the sun. Central Surrey used to be a bucolic refuge from the grimy urban blight of Metro Vancouver. Nowadays, the city is right on our doorstep with all the crime and gang activity that goes along with it. I moved to Surrey 10 years ago so that I could afford a very large stucco home for myself, my husband, and our three children. Since then I've been subjected to terrible commute times, increasing crime rates, pollution caused by other commuters, etc. I could go on.
I think it's time to finally exscappe the city foreaver!!11 Chilliwack here we come...Surely we'll be able to afford an even bigger home there. And with hubby's SUV, I feel safe driving during my commute into the city. Meanwhile we won't have to look at ugly eyesore 49-story highrises!!!1 We'll be surrounded instead by the beauty of the countryside and the many, many homes of likeminded city-fleers!
at 23:24 on March 11th, 2009
Good move Deepey! Sounds like you and the hubby have made a sound decision, and I only wish you the best in Chilliwack.
Skyscrapers do have many negatives: they increase commute times, harbour criminals, increase raccoon populations, and eat babies. It's unfortunate that so many have been built in the region, but we can only hope that future governments will curb skyward growth. Our forests and uneaten babies depend on it!
- Sign In or Join to post comments
EV (not verified)at 01:34 on March 25th, 2009
Good to heeR you'll get out Deepey Surrey doesnt need NIMBYS. After all look what they do for Vancouver. "Oh no i dont want a huge tower blocking my view corrador." Give me a break people if you want your parks and better transit service to area you have to go up. Also note Surrey is doing this to make the area more transit and walking friendly cause there puting more stuff in one smaller area then the huge spread out area it has been forever.
I'm all for this tower. infact if i dont have to move before this one gets build i look forward to steping out my door and looking on to this great marviously man made behemoth of beauty.
Also Surrey isn't a suburb anymore people its been dub as the second metro now it is now the metro of the fraservalley and the second metro of lower mainland are(metro Vancouver area). So if you dont like it go to Chilliwack. Forget abby cause they have dreams to for going up too,