Surrey City Centre is arguably one of the most exciting urban centres under development in Metro Vancouver, and perhaps even in Canada. As someone who considers themselves highly engaged in various mega real estate projects across the region, there is no other "downtown core" experiencing the same level of investment as City Centre, driven by all levels of government and institutional buy-in.
With its growing university presence, strong transit connections, youthful population (nearly 25% under 19, according to the 2021 census), and relatively affordable homeownership compared to other Metro Vancouver cities, the City Centre neighbourhood is on a strong growth trajectory.
A key decision made in the early 2000s by then-Mayor Dianne Watts was to relocate Surrey City Hall from its former location in Newton to the Whalley neighbourhood in North Surrey, with the aim of establishing a SkyTrain-connected downtown core. This game changing decision shifted the trajectory of the Whalley neighbourhood into what it is today, a growing urban, transit-orientated metropolis supported by a growing University precinct.
Coupled with the decision to relocated City Hall to the cities most northern edge, the city was able to partner and convince Simon Fraser University to open a landmark campus south of the Fraser, an investment that ushered in the next phase of residential development for this city.
Government and Institutional Investment Paves the Way for Private Sector Growth
As new investment poured into the City Centre, the private-sector followed. The City has so far delivered on its vision for the downtown core, promising continue economic growth and investment by atrtr
