Looking Ahead: Surrey’s Bold Vision for the Future of City Centre
From the Whalley-Guildford Plan in 1985 to the Build Surrey Program in 2010, Surrey City Centre has long been the driving force behind the city's densification - but what’s shaping its future today? Currently Canada’s 11th largest city, Surrey is well on its way to becoming the most populous municipality in British Columbia. This growth is no accident: with major post-secondary institutions, a thriving business hub, and a fast-growing healthcare district, Surrey has strategically sought out proactive and long-term investments that continue to shape its exciting future.
The City’s investment in Surrey City Centre played a major role in accelerating this transformation. In 1991, the City identified a problem: it had no real downtown core. That year, in an effort to address this, it changed its zoning laws to allow for mixed-use towers in the City Centre, and in 1994, the central SkyTrain line was extended to include a direct connection to downtown Vancouver from Surrey City Centre. Despite making these changes, only one single tower was built in the next 10 years.
The City of Surrey took action and developed a plan to stimulate growth: they would build a new City Hall and Civic Plaza in the City Centre to reinforce “the City’s commitment to building a strong downtown core” and send “a strong, future-looking signal to the private sector.” This and other commitments, including a covered youth park and a Performing Arts Centre, were outlined in a 2010 plan by the City of Surrey.
These investments were intended to act “as a catalyst to attract private investment to the City Centre area” – and that’s exactly what happened over the next 15 years. Between 2016 and 2021 alone, City Centre’s population grew by 25%, and 8,498 units and 585,854 square feet of office and retail space are now under construction there. Home to over 1,600 businesses and over 35,000 residents, City Centre is now Surrey’s densest population hub.
Yesterday’s Planning, Tomorrow’s Growth
In 2024, Invest Surrey and the Downtown Surrey BIA partnered to create a visual model of the future of City Centre based on current project proposals within the area. Elizabeth Model, CEO of the Downtown Surrey BIA, highlighted the significance of this transformation, stating, "Surrey City Centre is experiencing remarkable transformation, evolving into a vibrant, metropolitan hub driven by our forward-looking development community and innovative collaborations.” She also added that this momentum is being driven by key partnerships and strategic investments: “Catalysts for change included a partnership of private developers and all levels of government aligned with strategic investments in transit infrastructure, such as the expansion of Skytrain, BRT and the introduction of mixed-use developments that foster business, community connections, public spaces and accessibility.”
Among the notable developments are the potential changes to the skyline: 21 high-rises are under construction and another 70 have been approved. Currently, Surrey has 11 high-rise towers, the tallest of which is 3 Civic Plaza, rising to 157.3m tall.
While the model is based on data from proposed projects, it’s important to note that not all these projects are yet approved, and completion will depend on various factors, including macroeconomic conditions, such as construction costs. But the growth looks to continue: by 2044, 1 million people are expected to live in Surrey, marking a 46% increase from today. And by 2050, Surrey is projected to have 316,620 dwelling units, accounting for 18% of the total in all of Metro Vancouver.
Other Key Investments in Surrey’s Evolution
The City’s strategy has paid off, attracting investment from private companies and public institutions alike. Surrey is home to many different university buildings and campuses, including SFU and KPU, with plans underway for the SFU School of Medicine and a UBC Surrey campus. A great example of this vision coming to life is the Central City mixed-use development area, which houses Central City Mall as well as several university buildings and office headquarters, including Fraser Health and 7-Eleven Canada’s regional office.
Another success story is the Health and Technology District. Launched in 2014, the project envisioned an ecosystem for the health and technology sector that would provide resources, space, and opportunities to network, learn, and collaborate. Now, it boasts over 220 life science companies and healthcare institutions, and is projected to add to Surrey’s rapid growth in the form of over 15,000 high-quality jobs, $1.1 billion in local economic contribution, and over 1,500,000 square feet of technology innovation space.
Meanwhile, King George Hub, a mixed-use community adjacent to King George Station, has helped transform Surrey’s downtown core, bringing together transit, retail stores, workspaces (including Coast Capital Savings head office), and services. Its fourth phase of development is now in progress, comprising two residential condo towers with 886 suites and 30,000 square feet of commercial space. The fifth and final phase, estimated for completion in 2026, will be a purpose-built rental tower with 400 secured rental units.
Preliminary planning is currently underway to build an Entertainment District in Surrey City Centre, as well as an Interactive Art Museum. The vision for the latter is to have a “leading institution for contemporary and interactive art in Canada, bringing together local creators with artists from around the world.” Looking ahead, Elizabeth Model expressed enthusiasm for projects that prioritize sustainable growth, stating: “I’m excited about projects that emphasize sustainable growth, inclusive mixed-use housing, cutting-edge commercial & retail spaces, and public spaces for all to enjoy. With this in progress, it will solidify the area’s position as an economic powerhouse.” She also highlighted the City’s commitment to entertainment spaces, adding: “The City’s ongoing commitment to an entertainment district including public amenities, cultural spaces, and progressive policies ensures that Surrey City Centre will continue to thrive as a dynamic, welcoming destination for all."
Spotlight on Surrey
All this momentum has caught the attention of the media as well. The Daily Hive and Surrey Now-Leader both shared articles on the visual projections for City Centre when it was released in January 2025, and are also following the developments around the waterfront entertainment district (Daily Hive; Surrey Now-Leader).
Surrey’s growth is attracting more than just buzz, however. It continues to drive investment by prioritizing growth and providing opportunity for innovation across sectors. The top 4 priorities outlined in the City’s 2024 Economic Strategy are:
- Investment attraction and readiness
- Employment lands optimization
- Innovation, talent, and workforce
- Local business, vibrancy, and distinct communities
Surrey’s commitment to innovation and growth has been a winning strategy for the city so far, and it holds promise for an exciting future. Want to be a part of it? Learn more about how you can invest, innovate, and thrive at investsurrey.ca or reach out to our team to see how we can help.