[Whalleyboy]

I figured this could go in here

All info and pictures are from http://www.mcmparchitects.com/projects.cfm?ProjectID=160

The Guildford Town Centre (GTC) project is a renovation and 414,100 sq.ft. retail expansion of an existing mall, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The primary objective of the project is to position GTC to regain its market share and to integrate and modernize a new identity for the centre, capitalizing on its location.

The main elements of the expansion are the construction of a new 212,000 sq.ft. Wal*Mart Supercentre on one level with roof top parking above, two new parkades accommodating 5,870 parking stalls, and a two-level 212,100 sq.ft. addition to the south of the existing centre, which will be the home to a new feature food court and new, high-end tenants.

The ‘Nature Walk’ is a well landscaped, north-south oriented pedestrian collector from the upper level parking. The concentration of trees and landscape in the Nature Walk has also rationalized the reduced but well-placed landscape in other areas on the structural concrete deck. In its center, a pavilion atrium housing a set of escalators announces the presence of the Wal*Mart store on the lower level. The ‘Terrace Steps’ allow easy access to the upper level separating the pedestrian flow from the vehicular flow to the mall. Passing the reflecting pool at the foot of the feature waterfall pedestrians are drawn deep into the site on the lower level along a treed walkway, well lit by natural light from a very generous 40-foot opening over the extent of the lower ‘Terrace Walk’.

This project is a collaboration between MCM and Callison

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/photos/GTC%20152nd%20and%20village%20entry.jpg

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/photos/GTC%20Pavilion_perspective.jpg

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/photos/GTC%20Village.jpg

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/photos/GTC%20Ped%20view_terrace%20steps.jpg

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/photos/GTC%20Masterplan-cropped.jpg

http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/photos/GTC%20Lower%20Terrace.jpg

[metroXpress]

^ Oh yes! I love partly outdoor malls! Love it!
If it is half indoors/half outdoors, it would be like the Everett Mall in WA.
That mall underwent a reno in 2004 and now it is really nice. Can't even find a pic from their website though.

[usog]

Heard of this for forever, have they announced a timeline yet?

[SpongeG]

there was a thread about this in 2007

will this project ever happen?

[CoryHolmes]

will this project ever happen?

The Magic 8 Ball says: "Answer hazy, try again."

[LeftCoaster]

Haha funny, my magic 8 ball said: It is certain but god knows when.

In all actuality this project will finally be going ahead it seems. Although as we have seen in the past with Guilford nothing is certain, Ivanhoe Cambridge is pleased with the latest renderings and knows that in this construction market they arent going to get too much sharper of a price.

[nickinacan]

This mall could really use an major renovation like this. It has to be the most run down mall in the Metro Vancouver Area. And not to mention that the whole building seems cobbled together over the decades. Points in the roof actually leak during the rain and certain places in the mall smell of mold. Not good considering it is the fourth largest mall in BC (largest South of the Fraser)... but also the second oldest.

[BattleAxe]

This mall could really use an major renovation like this. It has to be the most run down mall in the Metro Vancouver Area. And not to mention that the whole building seems cobbled together over the decades. Points in the roof actually leak during the rain and certain places in the mall smell of mold. Not good considering it is the fourth largest mall in BC (largest South of the Fraser)... but also the second oldest.

I've been shopping at guildford mall my entire life, and I've never ever seen water leaking from the ceiling or smelled any mold. Guildford mall is not run down at all, its just an older looking mall. They do infact take good care of it.

[nickinacan]

I've been shopping at guildford mall my entire life, and I've never ever seen water leaking from the ceiling or smelled any mold. Guildford mall is not run down at all, its just an older looking mall. They do infact take good care of it.

I'm not saying the entire thing, just certain portions. Namely the oldest section (around Wal-Mart). For it's age, it has been kept up, but it's odd to see the overall aesthetic of the mall itself. You can tell where what decade they decided to renovate just on design. Considering all the other major malls have gone through renovations, upgrades and expansions, it's just bizarre that Guildford got left out until now.

[Whalleyboy]

walmart is the leaky moldy area

[SpongeG]

it looks very dated - the tiles are also kind of mis matched in different parts

and they really need to create a food court - it doesn't feel like one at all

I think they should knock down the part next to sears in the north west and build it up to two full levels and than all the way out to the sidewalk along 150th? is that it - create a new street entrance and put the food court somewhere in there

residents in the area could easily access the mall from there and it would be "downtown" in feeling

that area is so gross now and looks awful from the outside as well

[metroXpress]

walmart is the leaky moldy area

Agree with you. Wal Mart needs some immediate renos!
I know it is part of the plan so that's good!

[NetMapel]

Should really go with underground parking so more above-ground space can be developed into additional commercial/residential buildings.

[Whalleyboy]

i agree some under ground parking would be nice there
even central has underground parking
but i do think they should still have a parkade there too

[metroXpress]

i agree some under ground parking would be nice there
even central has underground parking
but i do think they should still have a parkade there too

Hey, I think that it wouldn't be that difficult to plan an underground
parking because parts of the mall is up on a small hill and there's that
floor difference on either side. It should be planned in as well.

Any info on when the reno will start? It seems like ages!

[Whalleyboy]

who knows should try and contact them and ask=P

[metroXpress]

who knows should try and contact them and ask=P

Haha... I don't think they will take any public inputs.
Are there any public open house coming up in the future?

[BattleAxe]

Surrey has just put up some new development proposal signs for the Guildford Mall re-development. I had read in the news that Wal-Mart is building 40 new Supercenters accross Canada starting this year.

[metroXpress]

^ indeed and the Walmart at Guildford would be the first one to under go a renovation. However, more parking spaces must be built as the cinema next door complains that Walmart will take up some of its parking spaces.

still have to wait for the SkyTrain routes before any renovation/expansion can start for the mall

[Whalleyboy]

^ indeed and the Walmart at Guildford would be the first one to under go a renovation. However, more parking spaces must be built as the cinema next door complains that Walmart will take up some of its parking spaces.

still have to wait for the SkyTrain routes before any renovation/expansion can start for the mall

why do you say that?

[Canadian Mind]

Station integration with a renovated mall? :)

[invisibleairwaves]

Funny that this got bumped; I just went to Guildford for the first time today.

I don't think it's that bad. The selection isn't as huge as Metrotown, but I'm honestly getting sick of that mall. Guildford is very well-lit and open, a little confusing but so are most of the malls around here. Didn't end up going to the WalMart area though.

It does look hideous from the outside; hopefully this renovation will help.

[SpongeG]

the walmart plan includes new parking on the roof

[Whalleyboy]

and a parkade

[SpikePhanta]

I'm not that big of a fan of Surrey, but I visit Guildford when I'm in Surrey.
It's probably one of my fav malls but mostly because I'm not sick of it ala Metrotown.
The only thing I don't like about Guildford is the outdoor parking. Hopefully like another said, when they extend Skytrain somehow they could incoporate it in a possible new development.

[SpongeG]

so back to the whole thing - do you think it was put on hold because it was announced after this that skytrain would be extended?

[Whalleyboy]

no it was put on hold due to economy the plans didnt incorporate skytrain extension

[whalley13]

I don't think that the expansion got shut down coz of no extension...look at the evergreen line announcing its coming and actually building it are too different things....

I think the bigger thing has been the recession over last couple of years...a couple of tough years for the retail business, I am confident tho this will be starting up in the next couple of years

[invisibleairwaves]

Yeah, I don't think it was because of the Skytrain...I don't think an extension to Guildford is going to happen for at least 10 or 15 years, and probably longer if things keep going at the same pace as the Evergreen Line...

[SpongeG]

i meant in terms of maybe they thought tehy would wait to see how they could do it and integrate a station

[whalley13]

There is signs up in guildford mall that the reno's are beginning and that walmart supercentre is going to be open by fall 2011....

[SpongeG]

wow thats anbitious - will teh walmart close to make teh new one? or will they keep it open and than just shut down and move ? from the plans i can't imagien how they would do it without closing it

[tybuilding]

They are working hard out there now. The whole south side of the mall parking lot is a construction zone. A much bigger area than I thought.

[SpongeG]

i was out there last week its hard to navigate in the car, people going everywhere trying to find the way out or in or across

[metroXpress]

^ Great to hear that the projects is under construction...mods, change the title please.

I believe this has been posted, but...

CURRENT:
http://img.skitch.com/20100518-jssmdmas3y9pg9kfhmfqcjrucj.jpg

PHASE ONE:
http://img.skitch.com/20100518-mhc92k3k8pmsq36xmc2i6d7ftb.jpg

PHASE TWO:
http://img.skitch.com/20100518-ndgq9r56qtdgms8yhyed7drgu4.jpg

Source (civicsurrey.com)

[Whalleyboy]

it really sucks that the bay wont allow more retail stores in front of it along 152nd street

[NewfBC]

Any reason why they won't put parking on top of the Walmart? Or put retail under the new parkade? Seems like a waste of good space.

Ron.

[allan_kuan]

I agree with the waste of space... the mall owners can surely do a better job. I guess it's already a win to see a two-level parking garage next to a WalMart though.

[usog]

it really sucks that the bay wont allow more retail stores in front of it along 152nd street

Isn't the parking lot needed for the rec center across the street...? And yeah was in the area recently, they've basically dug up the entire parking lot in the areas shaded in the images above. It's nice to see this going forward after the long period of nothing.

[officedweller]

It looks to me that they have internalized the parkade so that in future, the street frontages can all have buildings.

[Whalleyboy]

walmart is gonna have roof top parking.

The reason why more stores aren't going in front of the bay is because it is in there contract to not be blocked from street view easily. Its really stupid and the city isn't to please with that rule actually.

[SpongeG]

walmart will be out to the sidewalk almost, on the west side - but it is just going to be a big blank wall to the street isn't it?

[Whalleyboy]

its alot to read but should answer some stuff people are wondering
Initial Application
On November 20, 2006, a Planning Report was considered by Council related to the discharge of Land Use Contract No. 365 that covers part of the site on which the Guildford shopping centre is located and a general Development Permit to allow for the following new development on that shopping centre site:
 The phased construction of a new 20,438 square metres (220,000 square foot) Wal-Mart store with a grocery component;
 A new parking configuration providing approximately 5,819 stalls at full build-out;
 Construction of approximately nine separate free-standing commercial retail units (CRUs) on the parking structure and along 152 Street; and
 An internal expansion and renovations to the existing mall, including a new food court.
- 2 -
Based on staff’s recommendation, Council referred the project back to staff to work with the applicant to develop a more urban and pedestrian-friendly development, which better responded to the location of the Guildford Town Centre Mall as the heart of the Guildford Town Centre, in accordance with the design strategies listed in the report.
On December 18, 2006, a second Planning Report related to the subject project was submitted to Council for consideration, which in addition to a partial discharge of Land Use Contract No. 365 and a Development Permit included a Development Variance Permit to vary the building setback along the west property line (150 Street) from 7.5 metres (25 feet) to 7.0 metres (23 feet). The applicant had modified their proposal to include the following:
 The redevelopment of the Guildford Town Centre Mall based on a general development concept; and
 The construction of a new 18,808-square metre (202,451 square foot) Wal-Mart store with a grocery component and the associated parking facilities forming part of proposed Phase I.
The project included a two-level mall expansion due south of the existing mall, the addition of a new food court to the shopping centre, a "nature walk" and "terrace steps" as part of an improved pedestrian connection through and within the site, 2 two-level parkades with one level constructed underground, improved loading areas, additional retail opportunities along 152 Street, a facelift to the existing exterior facades and the renovation and updating of the interior spaces of the existing mall to match the new addition. Council approved the application to proceed to a Public Hearing related to the LUC discharge.
On January 15, 2007 the related Public Hearing was held and subsequent to that Hearing, Council granted Third Reading to By-law No. 16221, to allow for the partial discharge of Land Use Contract No. 365 and approved the Development Variance Permit for the variance of the building setback along 150 Street.
Due to the economy the applicant did not proceed with the project at that time. The applicant has now decided to reactivate the project but with some modifications.

Current Application
On September 16, 2009, a revised application was submitted, which changed the scope of the original application. The construction of a new Wal-Mart is still proposed and includes a grocery supermarket and a garden centre.
The key differences between the original proposal which proceeded to Council in 2006 and the current proposal are as follows:
 The most significant change is a decrease in floor area of the Wal-Mart store by over 5,000 square metres (54,000 square feet) to a proposed floor area of 15,329 square metres (165,000 square feet).
 The Wal-Mart store has been shifted further south and the vehicular access from 150 Street has been eliminated in response to traffic flow studies conducted by the developer’s consultant. These studies supported the elimination of the below grade vehicular access south of Wal-Mart which previously resulted in CPTED issues;
 The floor elevation of the Wal-Mart store has been raised to match the existing floor elevation of the existing lower mall level to eliminate grading difficulties and to improve accessibility;
 The access point to the parking deck has been moved further to the west. The associated new on grade ramp creates a new landscape berm into the site and connects to the landscape buffer along 150 Street;
 There is only one entrance into the Wal-Mart store;
 The grocery store component has been relocated to the south side of the Wal-Mart component and the mechanical equipment has been shifted in location; and
 One less loading bay is proposed at the rear of the store, which allows for a north orientation of all bays and the access point for the truck loading ramp has been shifted further to the north.

The revised development application was forwarded to the Advisory Design Panel (ADP) on October 15, 2009 and received general support, subject to some design revisions.
The applicant has further modified the project as follows (see the attached Appendix I):
 The Phase I boundary has been changed to exclude a parking deck west of the Phase II retail expansion;
 The sidewalk along the north side of the lower level has been widened by slightly shifting the parking grid to the south;
 The Wal-Mart pavilion has been redesigned using a pyramid profile to reflect a better relationship to the existing building;
 Light wells have been introduced on the south side of the parking to allow day light penetration, as recommended by the ADP;
 The sidewalks on each side of the main vehicular entrance off of 152 Street will be enhanced. The ADP had recommended that the sidewalks be of equal dimensions;
 Further design has been incorporated along the east/west pedestrian connection along the south elevation of Wal-Mart and along the south elevation of the parking deck from 150 Street to 152 Street;
 The treatment along the west facade of the mall, along 150 Street, has been revised to provide vertical landscape elements and tree textured motifs within the concrete walls; and
- 4 -
 The upper deck is to be regraded at the west entrance and along the sidewalk to the east of the entrance to satisfy drainage issues and to have a better relationship with the upper level of the retail floor.

A separate Development Permit application for Phase II, Application No. 7909-0174-00, has been submitted by the applicant, to allow for the following:
 Expansion of the upper and lower retail components on the southerly portion of the site along 152 Street;
 Facade renovations to the existing building, except for the Bay and London Drugs;
 Modifications to the existing entries to the mall;
 Existing free-standing canopies will be demolished and will be replaced with new entry canopies;
 Surface parking will be restriped to maximize parking layout and landscaped to include surface lighting; and
 Demolition of the building west of Sears.
Phase II will also include the reorientation of parking, which is currently within road dedication areas but which will remain as part of the Phase I project to support existing tenant agreements. The developer proposes to have the new parking in place at the end of Phase II, when all improvements have been completed to the mall. A separate Planning report will be forwarded to Council when the applicant is ready to proceed with the Phase II application.

Lot Consolidation and Road Dedication
Under the current Phase I application eight of the 14 lots within the overall site will be consolidated (Appendix II). The three lots at the southeast corner of 150 Street and 104 Avenue will remain as separate lots, along with the three lots north of 104 Avenue.
The lot consolidation will facilitate road dedication along 150 Street, 104 Avenue and 152 Street. The remaining parcels not being consolidated will be subject to the registration of rights-of-way to secure future road widening.
Since a revised application has been submitted, new Engineering requirements were generated for the revised proposal (Appendix III).
Engineering staff has confirmed with TransLink that a possible 39.0-metre (128 f00t) wide road right-of-way will be required along 104 Avenue and along 152 Street to facilitate the implementation of Light Rapid Transit. This requires a 3.9552-metre (13 f00t) road dedication along the 104 Avenue and 152 Street frontages of the site that is the subject of the current application, which is an increase from 1.455 metres (4.5 feet) previously stipulated along the south side of 104 Avenue and the west side of 152 Street under the earlier development proposal.

Circulation, Access and Parking
The main vehicular access points to the mall have not changed significantly. There are currently two access points from 150 Street, one from 101 Avenue, one from 104 Avenue and three access points from 152 Street. The main access point at 152 Street and 102 Avenue will be
- 5 -
enhanced with landscaping and a median to provide a more formal entrance to the mall. The northerly access points from 150 Street and 152 Street are to be shifted further north; however, this will not occur until the Phase II component of the project proceeds. The current most northerly vehicular access point along 150 Street must be shifted further north to accommodate two loading bays for the development. These new loading bays are to be screened with mesh panels and climbing vines and hedging.
Median along 150 Street
An existing vehicular access off 150 Street is being relocated further north to accommodate the new location of a loading bay for Wal-Mart. As a result, Engineering staff has requested that a median be constructed along 150 Street to restrict access to right in/right out at this driveway. This median will also restrict traffic movements to right in/right out on 150 Street for those commercial sites located along the west side of 150 Street, south of 104 Avenue.
The developer held a meeting at Guildford Town Centre Mall on April 21, 2010, with Surrey Planning and Development Department and Engineering Department staff in attendance, to present information about this proposed median to the owners of the businesses on the west side of 150 Street that will be affected by its installation. Only three business owners attended the meeting. Generally, the sentiment was that the mall renovations were supportable, welcomed and much-needed for the community. The property owners understood that the median construction would only formalize the existing traffic movement currently permitted along 150 Street, south of 104 Avenue.
Multi-use Walkway
The applicant has agreed to provide a 2.5-metre (8 foot) wide multi-use walkway along 150 Street, which will allow for a pedestrian connection from Guildford Town Centre Mall to the Guildford Recreation Centre and Library at 150 Street and 105 Avenue.
Inclusion of Future Transit Exchange
Ultimately, a Transit Exchange will be required in the Guildford Town Centre area, north of 104 Avenue, which will be located within the area covered by Phase II component of the project.
TransLink has not provided any details at this time regarding the design of such a facility. City Engineering staff are involved in continuing discussions with TransLink.
TownShift Competition
On November 2, 2009, the City of Surrey announced a competition to generate a future vision and design ideas for the five Town Centre areas within Surrey. The site selected as the focus of the competition in Guildford consisted of lands on the west side of 152 Street at 104 Avenue, which are in part included in the Phase II component of the redevelopment of the mall. The overall winning submission for the Town Shift competition was an entry by Mr. Renate Solivar, MAIBC, related to the Guildford site. Coincidentally, Mr. Solivar is an architect with Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership, the architectural firm for the subject application.
- 6 -
The TownShift design brief for Guildford presented a challenge to temper and humanize the busy corner of 104 Avenue and 152 Street, to introduce place-making and to provide a sense of arrival to Guildford. Most of the entries that were received focused on enlivening 152 Street as the "Main Street" of Guildford. The winning submission as referenced above developed a building that engaged the street while addressing the mall, with a sophisticated scheme that included “permeable" retail at the ground floor along 152 Street and a mix of uses above including residential all housed in a bold building and colourful forms.
Given that the Guildford TownShift site is situated partially within the boundary of the Phase II component of the Guildford Town Centre redevelopment, Mr. Solivar has presented his winning submission to the developer. The master plan for the mall site, including Phase II, shows the addition of three retail buildings located along 152 Street on both sides of 104 Avenue. This gives a sense of street engagement. As well, a wider sidewalk and public realm treatment will be provided along 152 Street in Phase II. Beyond that, the mall owner has stated that any additional buildings in front of the mall's major tenant (The Bay) cannot be considered due to leasing constraints. The loss of surface parking would also be a concern. Staff would encourage the mall owner to take into consideration the ideas from the TownShift competition as part of the planning and design when they proceed with the Phase II component of the mall redevelopment (Application No. 7909-0174-00). This could include an enhanced public realm involving art sculptures and greening solutions. The three retail buildings should engage the street rather than turning their backs on the street. These considerations will be reviewed in Phase II.
Application Status
The developer is completing all outstanding requirements for finalization of the development application. It is anticipated that this application will be proceeding to Council in May 2010 for consideration of final adoption.
CONCLUSION
Based on the above discussion, it is recommended that Council approve the revised design for Phase I of the Guildford Town Centre Mall redevelopment, as described in this report, including all necessary adjustments to the Development Permit related to Development

[Whalleyboy]

2nd floor
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall7.jpg
Ground floor
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall1.jpg
pictures from my photobucket

[SpongeG]

i am glad they are making a food court - what they have now is annoying its like a passageway where they threw in some food places as an afterthought

[SpongeG]

part of the curved wall is already in - by the red robin...

[Whalleyboy]

that curved wall is the road way thats gonna go towards the parkade of main entrance. You can see it in the one picture. they're separating red robins parking area.

[SpongeG]

yah - its a good sign to see some work

[Whalleyboy]

a new concept pictures
http://www.mcmparchitects.com/img/photos/GTC%20Street%20Pattern%20Perspective%20(2010).jpg
from http://www.mcmparchitects.com/projects.cfm?projectID=160

[SpongeG]

looks good - what entrance part of the mall is that? south east side?

[Whalleyboy]

well currently i think that is none but once the new mall add on comes it will be by the old navy area.

[SpongeG]

yah thats the SE well i am thinking well more where walmart and the mall entrance is now

[Whalleyboy]

well then yeah its that one kinda. I just dont think of it as that one since its more like the entrance area that is by the old navy since how much the mall will be pulled out.

[SpongeG]

where do the stairs go?

[Whalleyboy]

the stairs go to the parkade

[SpongeG]

okay

so when do they demolish the crappy part of the mall near sears?

is it part of this phase or a future phase?

[Whalleyboy]

future phase. There still working with translink to put a bus loop there i believe.

[Whalleyboy]

So not news on the construct but i noticed today that toys'r'us is coming to guildford mall...christmas is gonna get even worse there

[Fairbanks]

As I recall, there used to be a Toys'R'us in the mall. It was located at the west end of the mall on the north side of 104th where the extra foods is or was located.

[BattleAxe]

@ Fairbanks,

You have a poor recollection.

[cc85]

toys r us used to be west of KGH south of 104.

[Fairbanks]

@ Fairbanks,

You have a poor recollection.

I was in that store more than once and I know for certain it is where I said it was. I wouldn't normally care except for the "rude" reply from battleaxe
If you care to look at the schematic drawings of GTC you will realize I have my directions correct
Again...not that I really care.

[Whalleyboy]

http://guildford.shopping.ca/cambridge/jsp7/fp_04.jsp?mallid=gui
a video of the build

[SpongeG]

neat video

[hollywoodnorth]

http://guildford.shopping.ca/cambridge/jsp7/fp_04.jsp?mallid=gui
a video of the build

wow thanks! this is going to be a great project for the area.

[SpongeG]

Bath and Body Works
Opening Soon!

@ Guildford!

[xd_1771]

No Wal-Mart for a few years.
That's going to be pretty kewl

[SpongeG]

superstore will be happy

[Whalleyboy]

what are you talking about no walmart? what you see in the finish of the video is roof top parking on top of the walmart. The walmart will be its own area it looks like.

[xd_1771]

what are you talking about no walmart? what you see in the finish of the video is roof top parking on top of the walmart. The walmart will be its own area it looks like.

No, I think they're removing the old wal-mart before constructing the new one. In the mean time where will the Wal-Mart go and will there even be a Wal-Mart?

[Whalleyboy]

nope if you look at the construction going on right now the section that is closes to 150 street is the new walmart being built. Also look back a page and you can see it in the lay out.

[SpongeG]

its a super walmart - which will be like the one in south surrey - full groceries, meat, produce etc...

but i think he meant in the mean time - the year or so its constructed it will have to close

unless they are keeping the old one and than move and than demolish the old one?

[Whalleyboy]

the plan is to keep old one running till new one is up and running they may close it for a week if that. The video can trick some one who not paying enough attention to see the walmart getting built before they destroy the old.
here you can see the new one wont touch the old one location
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall8.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall6.jpg

[SpongeG]

ah i wondered how they would do it - closing for some time would be a bad thing for them and the mall

[xd_1771]

Outdoor wal-mart anyone? :P

[Whalleyboy]

yeah by the way today parking at the mall was so bad they had people guiding people through the malls parking lot...signs of christmas to come if they dont get the parkade done

[Fairbanks]

Would love to see some of the construction pics. I live in Victoria or I would take them myself. Very exciting project.

[xd_1771]

yeah by the way today parking at the mall was so bad they had people guiding people through the malls parking lot...signs of christmas to come if they dont get the parkade done

Try the left turn on NB 152nd heading into the parking lot.
Really short left-turn-signal combined with a wall of southbound cars preventing anything from getting too. One day going home from school it was backed clean to 100th.

[Whalleyboy]

Would love to see some of the construction pics. I live in Victoria or I would take them myself. Very exciting project.

I'll try and head over there sometime this week

[Fairbanks]

A big thanks in advance Whalleyboy...not just from but on behalf of everyone who is dying to see this project underway Dating myself here but when I was a kid my folks used to take us there back when it was an open-air mall and Woodwards was where the Bay is now and Woodwards food floor was where the new upper floor main entrance is now. Waaay back in the 1960's.

[Whalleyboy]

So as i promised here are some photos
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall1-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall2-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall3-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall4-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall5-1.jpg
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[xd_1771]

So as i promised here are some photos
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/mall30-1.jpg

The expansion isn't complete until they improve this signal in the pic.
Most terrible in Surrey IMO, worse than 154th/104th. Not only does the side street (102A/Guildford) always get a longer green than 152nd (despite lack of cars), but the left turn signal is short as hell and traffic easily backs up southbound to 100th. Very poor operation IMO; I'd like to see this either improved or replaced with a Park-Royal style off-ramp once Guildford expansion is complete.

[Whalleyboy]

Looks like the walmart is gonna be over 200,000 sq ft after all instead of the smaller one that would have been about 170,000 that i read about a while back
06 000413
17-May-10 1250 Guildford Town Centre

Development Permit to allow the construction of a new 18,808-square metre
(202,451 sq.ft.) Wal-Mart store, with a grocery component and the associated
parking facilities forming part of the proposed Phase I.

[whalley13]

guildford centre would be a nice location for a cactus club restaurant, i think it would do well there

[xd_1771]

A big thanks in advance Whalleyboy...not just from but on behalf of everyone who is dying to see this project underway Dating myself here but when I was a kid my folks used to take us there back when it was an open-air mall and Woodwards was where the Bay is now and Woodwards food floor was where the new upper floor main entrance is now. Waaay back in the 1960's.

Guildford was open air once, eh?
I find it a really good thing that they're trying to bring 1960's (life)styles back into the modern day; IMO modern society and lifestyle is absolutely terrible, we need more of the past to even things up :P

I do wonder how/where they're going to build the Guildford Skytrain Station after this expansion though... and there is still the empty old-Esso lot on the SW corner of 104th/152nd sitting there and blocking a full 152nd street 6-laning.

[Whalleyboy]

I think they'd go around the mall over by the theater probably

[jhausner]

I don't know if putting the skytrain near the theater makes sense now. Initial plans a few years ago had the bus loop moved from under the overpass to where the theater is in that area. But that's changed now and the loop is going where the old north mall arm is near the Sears. So it would make more sense to sweep the sky train north @ 150th and and attach it to the bus loop not to mention with the re center there it probably makes more sense there now. They can then sweep it around Sears and up 152nd from there.

So if I was guessing, a new skytrain station would actually end up where the new bus loop will be at the north-east corner of 150th and 104th. Being a bus backbone, you just don't see sky train not right near the main bus loop. I don't think they'd make a change in Guildford compared to the rest of the region in that regard.

[xd_1771]

I think they'd go around the mall over by the theater probably

I was thinking that they'd plop a SkyTrain station west of Guildford near the theatre too, but then it wouldn't tie in so well with the new bus loop west of Sears (if they choose 104th for the Skytrain routing; with 108th, not so much).

[Whalleyboy]

well there is no plans for a skytrain to go out to guildford anymore but if they go with the lrt it can go right under the over pass and stay there

[xd_1771]

well there is no plans for a skytrain to go out to guildford anymore but if they go with the lrt it can go right under the over pass and stay there

That'd ruin the flow of it all... with the current bus terminal just to get to the other side of the platform is an agonizing trip through the mall overpass; it actually turns out to be quite far (when you compare to, say, a SkyTrain station) - it'll be a bit inconvenient for eastbound platform arrivals that have to go all the way across and over just to get to the bus loop.
Also to put the LRT down there, you could be removing the right turn lanes that serve 152nd which'll make that intersection completely inoperable (unless LRT doesn't extend beyond this point). The right turn lanes are what make the intersection manageable and what keep traffic moving right now. How to place the station also... whether the tracks end up in the centre or on the side, it would be a bit hard to build the platform considering you already have those huge concrete poles holding the overpass on each side and the sidewalk is already fairly narrow.

I have heard they are re-considering SkyTrain options to Guildford; this was stated during the webinar. Honestly I think the best choice would be a separate SkyTrain or other elevated line running from Guildford to Newton thru Surrey Central. That way the focus on moving people through the city and to/from the Surrey city centre rather than the Vancouver city centre will still be existent while also helping out the two outlying major centres. Whalley will remain the major terminal, at least for people going to/from the rest of Vancouver. Everyone else would be going through Whalley anyway as it is at the centre of the line, therefore spurring the development even more.

[Whalleyboy]

when i went to the workshop they didnt really be seeming to sell skytrain system all that much. I think there likely gonna be going with skytrain. For one Watts is really backing the LRT. Also out of all there options the one LRT planning looks to give the best coverage. They arent gonna split or back track the skytrain for one splitting anymore ruins time and makes waits way longer.(I'd be curious if it was possible though if we seperated the evergreen/millenium line).

I doubt it would be that painfull to switch over we have no clue how the bus loop is gonna lay out first off. It could end up being really simple to cross to the other side of the street. Also it could possible end at guildford there fore making the lrt actually end in the bus loop area instead.

I'm not really pushing for skytrain its just more likely gonna be the option.

[SpongeG]

Bath & Body Works opened yet?

[SpongeG]

was out there today - and yes B&BW is open quite busy and nice layout...

the old navy is dreadful and still not the newer version as all the other stores in the LM Are - perhaps Old navy will move? and doesn't want to waste the time renovating the store?

the walmart was really busy I can only imagine how insane the new store will be

[metroXpress]

^ the recent reopening of the Walmart on 88th Ave is busier than ever. MOre things in the Supercentre but less space for shoppers...

I can see a great deal of customers at this location as well.

[Whalleyboy]

I should really get out there and get some more photos again for people cause its moving along quite fast

[SpongeG]

when its supposed to be done? Fall 2011?

[Fairbanks]

I should really get out there and get some more photos again for people cause its moving along quite fast

Yes please Whalleyboy. Very curious here on the Island. Thanks

[whalley13]

Any ideas which restaurants are moving into the property? Aren't there new restaurant pads being made on 152?

[eduardo88]

What a dirty, disgusting area

It's Surrey.

[Vancouver_Highrise]

right.. surrey.. dirty and disgusting.. You wouldn't be saying that if you were living in morgan creek and grandview corners area. Even Clayton.

Excited to come home and see all the updates in person!