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J U N E 2 0 2 3 | 81 Sun Towers 2 P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y A RC A D I S SUN TOWERS 2 by NATALIE BRUCKNER S un Towers is not your ordi- nary mixed-use project. It's a masterpiece that combines office spaces, restaurants, residen- tial units, daycare, and retail outlets all in one place, creating a self-con- tained community that's nothing short of remarkable. As described by Gwyn Vose, director at Arcadis, Sun Towers is the ultimate transit-oriented development, where convenience and accessibility are a top priority. But Sun Towers is more than just a collection of buildings. It's a hub that brings together people from differ- ent walks of life and enhances their health and wellness. With the comple- tion of Sun Towers 2, the entire project has now become a neighbourhood focal point, nestled in the heart of Metrotown, Burnaby. The construction of Sun Towers 2 presented a unique challenge, consid- ering that it commenced in May 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking hold. Despite the challenges, Belford Properties, Arcadis, and Metro-Can Construction were deter- mined to make Sun Towers 2 a reality. "Sun Towers 2 was originally planned to start at the same time as Towers 1. Ultimately, Towers 2 became a second phase," explains Peter Wheatley, project director at Metro- Can Construction. "We knew laydown areas would be a challenge so prior to occupancy on Towers 1 we arranged with the owner and the City to use an area between tower 1 and 2 for our office trailers, rebar prefab, disposal bins, and short-term material stag- ing. Excavation and shoring for Towers 2 had been planned during the con- struction of phase 1, so the south wall of the Towers 1 parkade was left exposed and ready for membrane once the Towers 2 parkade began to take shape." The project team was determined to build on the successes of Towers 1 and took valuable lessons from the first tower and looked for opportuni- ties to enhance subtrade contracts to include more scope items that were overlooked in Towers 1. "The consult- ing team was the same from phase 1 to phase 2, which also allowed design revisions to be undertaken proac- tively. The building inspector was the same for both projects, which made for a smooth transition from one tower to the next," explains Wheatley. For the design of Towers 2, as was the case with Towers 1, terracotta bands of colour have been used to rep- resent the building's name. "It's sort of a play on the first tower. I think the terracotta that we got into the eleva- tions sets it apart from some of the other buildings around the neigh- bourhood that are just window wall and glass," says Vose. However, the use of terracotta slabs as well as the rooftop steel structure proved to be somewhat challeng- ing, as Wheatley explains: "Terracotta slabs are both heavy and fragile. These were installed on three elevations on Towers 2 compared to one elevation LOCATION 6398 Silver Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. OWNER /DEVELOPER Belford Properties ARCHITECT/L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Arcadis GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Metro-Can Construction STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Williams Engineering ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Nemetz S/A & Associates Ltd. INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTANTS Cristina Oberti Interior Design / Dialog TOTAL SIZE 184,000 square feet TOTAL COST Undisclosed on Towers 1. The steel roof structure with angled curtain wall panels was also tricky to co-ordinate between the design and installation. Each win- dow unit had to be site measured and installation was done through- out the coldest months of the year. The Metrotown area of Burnaby is noto- rious for high winds throughout the year as storm systems move in off the ocean, resulting in more windy days that forced the crane to shut down, especially when trying to fly the steel and windows into position 26 storeys above the ground." On entering the building, a grand double-height lobby space creates a true wow factor. The entry vestibule walls are clad with five-by-10-feet porcelain sheets that have been art- fully crafted to resemble white marble, exuding a sense of timeless elegance. In addition, the amenity space opens to an outdoor covered patio using a NanaWall system of fold- ing panels. "Wood veneer panels are used throughout the main lobby and this same wood veneer extends to the entry door of each suite through the tower," says Wheatley. Heading up through the tower is where you witness the most notable difference between the two towers, as Leo Sun, representative for Belford Properties Ltd., explains: "Sun Towers 2 features larger unit sizes and offers everything from one-bedroom suites to the three-storey townhomes that range in size from 580 to 1,604 square feet. Inside the suites are larger islands and kitchen areas, and a very aesthetically pleasing interior design." The penthouse units have rooftop access as well to a big terrace space. Sun Towers 2 isn't just a place to live, it's a lifestyle. The secure under- ground parking has been thoughtfully designed to include two dedicated bicycle parking spaces per unit, in line with the city's requirements. Additionally, residents have access to a car wash station and a carshare pro- gram, providing them with exclusive use of two electric vehicles. The development offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the city skyline, making it an exceptional place to call home. The range of amenities available in the area and the access to transit ensures that residents have everything they need right at their doorstep. Every aspect of the building, from the design to the appliances, has been carefully chosen to provide the residents with the utmost comfort and convenience. According to Wheatley, Sun Towers marks the completion of Belford Properties' first project in Canada. "Its colourful terracotta accents introduce a unique element to the Metrotown neighbourhood, standing shoulder to shoulder with some very unique high- rise residential towers to the east and west." All in all, Sun Towers 2 is an exceptional residential development that offers a perfect balance of luxury, convenience, and community. A

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