Invest In BC Lower Mainland – Southwest: Surrey 3

BCBusiness in partnership with BCEDA and the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association

PCI Developments redefines downtown Surrey

Urban transportation is one of the most important targets to create more sustainable and livable communities. The transit developments are shifting the geographical centre of the Lower Mainland to downtown Surrey, a substantial influence in the transformation of the urban core into a thriving metropolitan centre.

Surrey continues to make investments in public transit infrastructure in order to get people out of their vehicles, to encourage high-density development and reduce congestion to facilitate the highest quality of urban livability.

“Surrey has been long overdue for transit investment and it’s finally here with the construction of what will be SkyTrain out to Langley,” said Brad Howard, senior development manager for PCI Developments.

The new Fraser Highway SkyTrain that is planned to extend between City Centre and Langley provides another significant and much anticipated physical link to downtown Surrey.

Transit is at the centre of King George Hub by PCI Developments, a dynamic four-phase landmark mixed-use residential, retail and office development—expertly positioned for convenience and connectivity—adjacent to King George SkyTrain station.

Phase A is the Coast Capital Savings Credit Union’s Help Headquarters, an architectural stunner in City Centre. Phase B is currently under construction with completion slated for late 2021. It is the largest of the four phases with two new residential towers totalling 738 units (sold out in 2017), a 15-storey LEED-Gold office tower, and 100,000 square feet of premier quality retail along a vibrant pedestrian High Street. “We think it’s the best site in City Centre by virtue of proximity to SkyTrain and the complete community that we are building,” said Howard. “The location has got what everybody needs within a short walk from their home.”

The growth in transit investment in Surrey is supporting the construction of complete communities—like King George Hub—that are transit-oriented and mixed-use where people can work, shop and play all within a few blocks of where they live.

“We are seeing this kind of complete community being supported throughout the region by other municipalities as well as Surrey,” said Howard. “Transit ridership is increasing, in part, because of TransLink’s support in focusing density on transit stations.”

Through continued redevelopment, City Centre is becoming a more walkable environment. Howard said that Surrey’s CityCentre plan includes a revised street network that will transform into smaller urban block sizes, which will create a more walkable downtown.

“As a pedestrian, if you try and cross King George today, you’re crossing six to eight lanes that were initially designed for truck traffic,” said Howard, “where one block can be an over five-minute walk.”

He’s quick to point out: “With the new developments, the City is creating smaller blocks to encourage people to get out of their cars and experience a much more walkable community. It’s something transit is supporting more progressively. The growth of transit in Surrey and the developments in City Centre specifically, is making better, more efficient use of our land for future generations.”