If you build it, they will come. The Field of Dreams quote rang true for Surrey's Central City just south of 104th Avenue on King George Boulevard. The development has become the city's new epicentre, with a Simon Fraser University campus as the main attraction.
Now 3 Civic Plaza, a stone's throw north on King George Boulevard, looks to follow suit. Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) recently announced that it will open a new centre in 2016 as part of the development that will erect Surrey's tallest building. 3 Civic Plaza will feature residences, a hotel and commercial offices. Construction started earlier this year on the 52-storey, 538-foot building.
The two developments are tied into Surrey's Innovation Boulevard plan, which looks to solidify Surrey's downtown core along King George Boulevard.
“KPU is a perfect fit with 3 Civic Plaza. I can already imagine the students adding to the sense of community. KPU will be at centre ice of the new city centre,” said Sean Hodgins, president of Century Group, the developer for the site.
KPU's campus in Surrey will have professional studies, upper-level business courses and post-graduate credentials that will take up three floors and house 1,600 students.
“KPU Civic Plaza is in business for Surrey,” added Hodgins. “And with a new centre for excellence in professional development, Surrey city centre will become a hub for innovation for the Metro Vancouver region.”
