Surrey’s public development arm, the Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC), has filed a rezoning application for a major four-tower community beside Gateway Station—another sign that City Centre is accelerating as a true downtown. Revived in 2023, SCDC is positioning this project as a transit-oriented, rental-forward neighbourhood with new public spaces, creek restoration, and a potential …
Surrey’s public development arm, the Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC), has filed a rezoning application for a major four-tower community beside Gateway Station—another sign that City Centre is accelerating as a true downtown. Revived in 2023, SCDC is positioning this project as a transit-oriented, rental-forward neighbourhood with new public spaces, creek restoration, and a potential school integrated right into the podium.
Project Highlights
- Developer: Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC)
- Location: 108 Ave & University Dr, adjacent to Gateway Station
- Site Area: Approximately 5.7 acres
- Buildings: Four towers (40–44 storeys; Tower 3 up to 50 storeys under alternate option)
- Homes: 1,814 market rentals (60-year secure rental for Tower 1)
- Retail: Approximately 9,200 sq. ft of neighbourhood-serving commercial space
- Parking/Bikes: 1,814 vehicle stalls and 1,200 bicycle stalls
- Amenities: 31,872 sq. ft indoor and 55,789 sq. ft outdoor, 655-student elementary with Neighbourhood Learning Centre and childcare facility
- Targeted Completion Date: 2030–2032
- Potential School:
Project Snapshot
- Address & Site: Southwest corner of 108 Ave & University Dr, immediately west of Gateway Station (Expo Line); spans approximately 5.7 acres between 133 St and University Dr, north of Whalley Athletic Park.
- Current Use: Former Sunshine Housing Co-op townhomes (now vacant; the co-op has relocated) and several vacant lots.
- Planning Context: Designated “Downtown” in Surrey’s Official Community Plan and “high-rise” in the City Centre Plan; classified as a Tier 1 Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) under provincial legislation—allowing the highest heights and densities near rapid transit.
- Valuation: Aggregate BC Assessment (as of July 1, 2024) of $56.381M across the assembled parcels.
- Architect/Design Team: ZGF Architects (renderings and site planning with Bolivar Creek integration).
Homes, Height & Phasing
SCDC proposes 1,814 market rental homes across four towers, delivered in four phases. The current unit mix skews toward studios and one-bedrooms to boost rental supply while still providing family-sized options.
Overall Unit Mix (1,814 total):
- Studios: 264
- 1-Bed: 825
- 2-Bed: 489
- 3-Bed: 236
By Tower:
- Tower 1 (NW corner): 40 storeys, 478 units (78 studio / 212 1-bed / 136 2-bed / 51 3-bed). Secured market rental for a minimum of 60 years via proposed housing agreement.
- Tower 2 (just south of Tower 1): 44 storeys, 441 units (47 / 212 / 137 / 45).
- Tower 3 (east of Bolivar Creek): 44 storeys, 475 units (44 / 242 / 128 / 61). Alternate option under study includes a podium-integrated elementary school; tower could rise to approximately 50 storeys (residential from Level 5) to maintain density.
- Tower 4 (SE corner): 40 storeys, 420 units (95 / 159 / 88 / 78).
Timeline (subject to approvals):
- Tower 1: Q2 2030
- Tower 3: Q2 2031
- Towers 2 & 4: Q2 2032
- Full build-out completion: 2032
Amenities, Retail & Mobility
- Amenity Space: 31,872 sq. ft indoor and 55,789 sq. ft outdoor. Indoor is below City policy; SCDC will provide a cash-in-lieu contribution to address the shortfall. Outdoor amenity space exceeds policy, emphasizing open space.
- Retail: Approximately 9,200 sq. ft of neighbourhood-serving commercial retail. About 2,500 sq. ft in Tower 2 and 6,700 sq. ft in Tower 4.
- Parking & Bikes: 1,814 vehicle stalls and 1,200 bicycle stalls within a six-level underground parkade.
Green Infrastructure & Public Realm
A signature element of the proposal is the treatment of Bolivar Creek, which crosses the L-shaped site.
- Creek Integration: Restored and celebrated as a central landscape spine with bridges and public view corridors.
- Low-Impact Design: Stormwater from buildings directed to rain gardens before flowing into the creek—enhancing habitat and water quality.
- Parks & Edges: Retains and improves parkland interfaces, especially along Whalley Athletic Park.
- Everyday Use: Outdoor amenities include dog-friendly paths, seating areas, and play spaces that integrate the towers into the neighbourhood.
School and Childcare (Tower 3 Alternate)
SCDC and the Surrey School District are exploring a podium-integrated elementary school serving approximately 655 students across three levels. It would include a Neighbourhood Learning Centre with an Indigenous Learning Hub and before-and-after-school care. A childcare facility for two age cohorts is also proposed. This option would slightly modify the building footprint and potentially increase the tower’s height to around 50 storeys while maintaining the planned residential density.
Strategic Benefits to Surrey Residents
- Rental Supply at Scale: More than 1,800 secured market rentals beside SkyTrain will significantly expand Surrey’s purpose-built rental supply.
- Transit-Oriented City Building: Tier-1 TOA densities support car-light living and everyday convenience for residents.
- Complete Community Design: Ground-floor retail, extensive outdoor amenities, and potential school and childcare facilities ensure daily needs are met within walking distance.
- Ecological Restoration: Creek daylighting and stormwater features enhance environmental resilience and urban livability.
Process & Next Steps
Surrey City Council advanced the application on September 15, forwarding it to a public hearing scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025. If approved, the project will move through detailed development permitting, with construction phased toward completion by 2032.
