Surrey’s World-Class Central City is an Epicentre for Growth

Central City in Surrey is a bustling mecca of business, shopping and education that has been the catalyst for growth in Surrey’s downtown core since Blackwood Partners purchased the mixed-use development in 2007. Of course, it hasn’t always been that way. Ten years ago, when Blackwood Partners bought Central City, they took on the complex role of aiding in the rejuvenation of Surrey, which at that time was struggling to attract business and development into what is now Surrey’s vibrant downtown. Developers and businesses alike were looking for a modern, leading-edge facility that could attract not only business, but skilled workers and consumers from every demographic, along with students. When it was purchased, Central City filled an important void in Surrey’s evolution at the time, and today, it continues to be a magnet for new business and opportunities. It also serves as one of the reasons Surrey continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, welcoming approximately 800 new residents per month. The reasons for this are aplenty. Central City is an award-winning facility that combines 140 retail stores with restaurants and services. Not to mention, the large civic plaza was the first open urban space in Surrey when it was built. There is also a 350,000-square-foot Simon Fraser University campus along with a 560,000-squarefoot office tower housed within Central City. In a region that is so dependent on transit to move people, having access to two SkyTrain stations at Central City is hugely important – ultimately connecting people with services and schooling. The two SkyTrain stations, coupled with thousands of free parking stalls, helps to encourage a hassle-free environment for people to work, shop, learn and play. Many organizations that now operate within the office tower have opted to re-locate their offices from other areas in the region to become part of Central City. These include: McQuarrie Hunter LLP, Westminster Savings Credit Union, Century Group, FINCAD, 7/11 Canadian headquarters, Vancity, and the Fraser Health Authority which is the largest tenant, hosting 200,000-square-feet of office space. Shopping onsite includes some of the best and biggest retailers in the region including: Bed Bath & Beyond, Winners, Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Best Buy, The Brick, T&T Supermarket along with a Passport Office. Surrounding Central City, there are a significant number of capital projects completed and currently underway. Developments that are now open to the public include the expansion of Surrey Memorial Hospital, Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre, the RCMP Headquarters that houses over 2,700 members and support personnel, Surrey’s 77,000-square-foot City Centre Library, and the new 165,000-square-foot Surrey City Hall that opened in February 2014. In the coming years, we’ll continue to see the areas surrounding Central City evolve and develop into one of Canada’s best urban centres as it attracts new business and opportunities. An exciting new project that is underway is 3 Civic Plaza, a mixed-use Marriott Autograph Collection® hotel coupled with a residential project that is currently under construction. It is 52 storeys and will house a 30,000-squarefoot Kwantlen Polytechnic University Satellite Campus once completed. When completed, this tower will be the tallest building in Metro Vancouver outside of downtown Vancouver. Another important project that will soon join the neighbourhood is a new YMCA with state-of-the-art amenities. These projects are estimated to cost $500 million and will provide significant local and regional economic benefits. Ultimately, Surrey is growing, from people, to shops, offices and more. Central City’s development was truly a harbinger at the time, and has since resulted in a booming urban centre, which continues to accelerate with public and private investments.