[Surrey] King George Hub | U/C

[officedweller]

Posted by PeterPrinciple on the retail thread -

New development for the Berezen site "King George Station" developed by PCI

Includes large format retail - just what the area needs (to make up for the lack thereof at Infinity).

Some renders suggest two office blocks - others suggest 3 office blocks.

http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/Looplink...RID=1903819501

Description
King George Station is a landmark mixed use development set to anchor the rapidly evolving downtown core of Surrey, British Columbia' s second largest city. With approximately 300,000+ square feet of retail space an additional 300,000 square feet of A' class office space and up to three, 35 storey high rise residential towers, King George Station stands to become a flagship destination for Surrey and the surrounding municipalities.

King George Station is located on the northeast corner of King George Highway and Fraser Highway, centrally located within Surrey City Centre. The City of Surrey has taken ambitious plans to transform the downtown core into a metropolitan hub for the municipality and surrounding Fraser Valley. The City is leading the way on this initiative with the construction commencement of their new 210,000 square foot city hall, a nearly completed 75,000 square foot central library and a 1,600 seat performing arts venue. Furthermore, significant provincial and federal investment is underway, including the $500 million expansion of Surrey Memorial Hospital, the construction of the new 820,000 square foot RCMP E division headquarters and a new 188,000 square foot outpatient and surgery centre. All of this government investment into Surrey City Centre is being equaled by the private sector with a number of major high density residential developments having been built in recent years, with many more planned or under construction

Rendering of whole project:
http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/9...8E3397517F.pdf

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Lower level floorplan
(labels indicate large format drugstore (30,000 sq ft), large format clothing (50,000 sq ft), supermarket (40,000 sq ft)):
http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/6...2269405FFC.pdf
Upper Level Floorplan
(labels indicate large format retail (108,000 sq ft) and Cineplex):
http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/0...E2282C6319.pdf


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Brochure:
http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/8...D633323892.pdf

Uploaded with ImageShack.us


http://www.formretail.ca/


http://www.formretail.ca/


http://www.formretail.ca/

[queetz@home]

Seems like an awful waste of prime space given it being at the skytrain station and right smack in the centre of Surrey. Why oh why do suburban office tower proposals have to be so short? Once its there, its going to be like that forever. Wasn't there a report that says office space beside Skytrain stations command premium prices or something?

If the developer is in a hurry to cash in, leave some space for future taller towers. At the very least, vertically phase those office buildings or somethin....

[SpongeG]

thats the end of their downtown though isn't it? i think they look fine a nice build up to the tallers that will go to the north

[nickinacan]

This is the type of development Surrey should really be pushing for. Highrises are not always the best solution for density. Low rise buildings are much better when it comes to the whole pedestrian experience. The commercial component is right where it ought to be, there is limited surface parking, and three high rises? I am all for it. In addition, since the commercial component is sandwiched between the Infinity development and the giant Holland Pointe development across the street, it really offers some breathing room.

[phesto]

I know a lot of folks here will be pissed that PCI isn't pursuing tall towers like the previous proponent, but it just doesn't make sense economically. They want to be able to phase it.

Vertical phasing is fine, though I don't foresee a tall office tower in Surrey anytime soon.

[jlousa]

Glad to see PCI behind this project. I now have a confidence that it'll happen that I never had with Berezen. Personally I worry about a potential upcoming glut of retail space across the region but it's obvious that others don't share that concern.
I think the office sqftage is appropriate for this location and it'll help draw additional people onto skytrain in the opposite direction which currently has an abundance of capacity during peak times.

[nickinacan]

Plus they want the mass of high density development to circle the new civic centre and Surrey Central Station. King George Station and Gateway Station were meant to be mixed use.

[Metro-One]

I like it, and this one I actually can imagine proceeding in Surrey.

It is funny though how all of Surrey's high hopes (tallest residential between Vancouver and Surrey, the 30 floor or more city hall office tower, Vans tallest office tower, etc...) have all been reduced to this. (also funny to note that slowly sneaking its way in with little fan fare / media coverage Burnaby is currently building the tallest 2 towers in Canada between Vancouver and Calgary.)

But all that aside, i do think this is a good looking development.

[Canadian Mind]

The one building is where I suggested a new statue of King George be erected. Was thinking of something at 4-5 times life size on a 5 foot podium. Facing the south/southwest. Does Surrey have the same capacity to demand amenities with proposals as Vancouver, and would having a statue erected be a legitimate historical/cultural amenity?

[officedweller]

BTW - for the 108,000 sq ft retail space - that's a bit small for a WalMart (plus there a huge one at Guildford).
Target going in at Central City.
There's also a Winners at Cnetral City too (but no Homesense)
What other large retailer is there?

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by officedweller

BTW - for the 108,000 sq ft retail space - that's a bit small for a WalMart (plus there a huge one at Guildford).
Target going in at Central City.
There's also a Winners at Cnetral City too (but no Homesense)
What other large retailer is there?

Canadian Tire? Simmons?

[SpongeG]

marshalls would be good, kohls and jc penny have both expressed interest in canada - many kohls stores are located outside of malls, they would fit well into something like this

[Nites]

I was hoping that they'd demolish that hideous looking apartment behind CDI College before they proposed this.

[surrey1]

hopefully they demolish that small hotel beside king george station...central city could use a proper hotel...maybe a holliday inn

[racc]

Originally Posted by nickinacan

Low rise buildings are much better when it comes to the whole pedestrian experience.

This is absolutely not the case. It the detail at the street level that total determines the pedestrian experience. The height of the building is not relevant at all.

Originally Posted by nickinacan

The commercial component is right where it ought to be, there is limited surface parking, and three high rises?

I am shocked that there is surface parking at all. It is right next to a rapid transit station and a soon to be B-Line route. There should be no surface parking at all. It will just waste everyone's time. All people seem to think that they are parking jedis and can magically claim one of the few surface parking spaces. More often than not, these spaces will be full forcing people to use the underground parking. Don't bother with the surface parking then they won't be wasting their time looking for it. It just creates more driving.

A perfect example of this is the development across from New Port Village in PoMo. It is total chaos with all the people driving by the few surface parking spaces to check if they are available before heading to the underground.

[geoff's two cents]

Originally Posted by officedweller

BTW - for the 108,000 sq ft retail space - that's a bit small for a WalMart (plus there a huge one at Guildford).
Target going in at Central City.
There's also a Winners at Cnetral City too (but no Homesense)
What other large retailer is there?

With all that high-density residential going in, and assuming those big-box format grocery stores aren't going to be around forever (especially the Safeway), I'd like to see an urban-format grocery store, perhaps even a higher-end one - Urban Fare, etc.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by geoff's two cents

With all that high-density residential going in, and assuming those big-box format grocery stores aren't going to be around forever (especially the Safeway), I'd like to see an urban-format grocery store, perhaps even a higher-end one - Urban Fare, etc.

I know WHOLE FOODS is looking at suburban locations ..... and very much so. they are looking at a few new stores over the short to mid term in the Metro Vancouver area. I could also see a Victoria store.

[paradigm4]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

I know WHOLE FOODS is looking at suburban locations ..... and very much so. they are looking at a few new stores over the short to mid term in the Metro Vancouver area. I could also see a Victoria store.

Doubt we'd see an Urban Fare or Whole Foods. Downtown Surrey does not currently, and from my perspective will not in the near future, fit their demographic. The Downtown is being marketed primarily to students, young professionals, and investors. Those chains are too expensive for the current and future residents of the area

[Whalleyboy]

Personally i'd love to see safeway, canadian tire, or price smart move into that place. But most of my hope would be safeway mainly since its land is right by central.

I do really like see these building that try and use the two lower floors for retail. It reminds me of the medical tower planned for down the road. speaking of what i heard knight and day planning on still moving into that building.

Also love the theater plan. Its about time central got its own. I knew the rule could only stay in place for so long.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by nickinacan

This is the type of development Surrey should really be pushing for. Highrises are not always the best solution for density. Low rise buildings are much better when it comes to the whole pedestrian experience. The commercial component is right where it ought to be, there is limited surface parking, and three high rises? I am all for it. In addition, since the commercial component is sandwiched between the Infinity development and the giant Holland Pointe development across the street, it really offers some breathing room.

Originally Posted by racc

This is absolutely not the case. It the detail at the street level that total determines the pedestrian experience. The height of the building is not relevant at all.


I am shocked that there is surface parking at all. It is right next to a rapid transit station and a soon to be B-Line route. There should be no surface parking at all. It will just waste everyone's time..

I largely agree with RACC that it is the street level and what it provides, both in amenities and services, plus the aesthetic/design aspect that determines how good the pedestrian experience will be.

The only possible negative factor (IMHO) could be the shadow aspect caused by tall buildings, and the fact that low-rise buildings create a more "European" feel, while having high-rises creates something more "hybrid big-city" (a bit like Mississauga).
- - -
Regarding parking, it would be nice to cars out, of the way, creating a less cluttered atmosphere, although many people want to simply park next to where they want to go for convenience.

Again, I think that underground parking could be the better option, even if it requires a bit more access time. (The last thing I'd want to see is a latter-day "Kingsway")
*
Also, a magnificent fountain, like the one in Sergels Torg, playing somewhere within sight would be great, but I guess that's asking a bit too much!! And of course, this is suburban Surrey, not central Stockholm!!

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