The Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) is advancing a massive new market rental project near Gateway Station in Surrey, B.C. The plan involves building four high-rise towers on a 5.7-acre site between 133 Street and University Drive, directly adjacent to Gateway Station. This project promises 1,814 market rental units, over 9,000 square feet of retail space, and integrated public amenities. For renters and real estate investors alike, this is one of Surrey’s most ambitious residential developments in recent years.
Project Location & Land Details
The development site is made up of multiple parcels: 10744 133 Street; 10725-10757 University Drive; 13310-13350 108 Avenue. It is bounded by 108 Avenue (north), University Drive (east), Whalley Athletic Park (south), and 133 Street (west), forming a significant block in Surrey’s city centre.
Previously, this ground was occupied by the Sunshine Housing Co-op townhouses and a collection of vacant lots. The co-op has since been relocated, freeing the area for redevelopment.
Tower Plans & Unit Mix
SCDC’s proposal calls for four towers, each delivered in phases. The towers are:
- Tower One: 40 storeys, 478 units (78 studios, 212 one-bedrooms, 136 two-bedrooms, 51 three-bedrooms)
- Tower Two: 44 storeys, 441 units
- Tower Three: 44 storeys, 475 units
- Tower Four: 40 storeys, 420 units
Total units will reach 1,814, mostly market rental. Tower One is confirmed rental for a minimum 60 years under a proposed housing agreement. The other towers are envisioned as market rental but remain subject to possible changes.
Amenities, Public Spaces & Transportation
The project will include both indoor and outdoor amenity spaces—a total of ~31,872 sq ft indoor and ~55,789 sq ft outdoor. There will also be ~9,200 sq ft of commercial retail: ~2,500 sq ft in Tower Two and ~6,700 sq ft in Tower Four.
Transportation features are significant: a six-level underground parkade will hold 1,814 vehicle stalls plus 1,200 bicycle stalls. Proximity to Gateway Station (Expo Line SkyTrain) adds strong transit access.
Moreover, natural elements are integral: Bolivar Creek runs through the site, with plans to integrate stormwater management, rain gardens, and retention of parkland.
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Education & Community Uses
An alternative proposal for Tower Three adds community amenities: the podium could hold an elementary school, a Neighbourhood Learning Centre, an Indigenous Learning Hub, and facilities for before-/after-school care. This could require increasing Tower Three’s height to ~50 storeys to maintain residential density.
Timeline, Zoning & Approvals
- Expected completion by 2032.
- Tower One occupancy: Q2 2030
- Tower Two: Q2 2032
- Tower Three: Q2 2031
- Tower Four: Q2 2032
- The site is designated “Downtown” under Surrey’s Official Community Plan, and under Surrey’s City Centre Plan. It also lies in a Tier 1 Transit-Oriented Area (TOA), which permits high densities and heights.
- Project forwarded to a public hearing on October 20, 2025, after review by Surrey City Council.
Final Thoughts
The SCDC Gateway Station project is a landmark development, representing Surrey’s continuing shift toward intensification, transit-oriented urbanism, and mixed-use community building. For renters, it offers a significant supply of market rental housing in one of the most connected neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver. For investors and developers, it signals that land near major transit stations—especially in Surrey—is prime real estate with large scale potential.
By integrating strong community elements like the proposed school, Indigenous Learning Hub, parks, and stormwater features, the project goes beyond mere tower construction. It aims to build a neighbourhood, not just housing stock, enhancing quality of life, walkability, and environmental responsibility. Given the timeline toward 2030-2032, it also provides clear stages to watch: Tower One will lead the way in 2028-2030, with the rest following in phased fashion.
This development at Gateway Station helps to underscore Surrey’s strategic importance as Vancouver’s neighbouring growth engine. The planning, transit links, and public amenities are likely to increase land value in adjacent areas, draw demand for rentals, and maybe shift where people consider investing. As Surrey continues to grow, similar developments could become more common—making this Gateway Towers project a bellwether for market rental trends, high-density zoning outcomes, and sustainable urban growth in the region.
