Burnaby Board of Trade Directory

transform it into a more efficient, high-density region. The elements that could constitute the densification are under discussion by city planners and Shape Properties. Despite Lougheed's comparatively limited growth, the quadrant distinguishes itself by being home to what has been called a Canadian model for practical and affordable sustainability: UniverCity, adjacent to SFU. Initially envisioned by architects Arthur Erickson and Geoff Massey when developing SFU in 1963, the award-winning UniverCity is a dense, mixed-use community on 65 hectares that will ultimately be home to 10,000 residents and contain two distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own elementary school and park, plus a commercial core, community facilities and an extensive network of trails. nt put to by Lougheed developed initially because of its position on North Road, the oldest road in Metro Vancouver. off to me al an ed ly, se Edmonds E re a nd y ed on PHOTOS COURTESY (from LEFT to right) ANTHEM PROPERTIES, SFU COMMUNITY TRUST, CEI ARCHITECTURE AND APPIA DEVELOPMENTS ds ng erail a by is dmonds is the historical heart of Burnaby, home to its original commercial core and first streetcar line. Edmonds Community Centre Today it houses the head offices of BC Hydro and still boasts a strong community of longstanding family-owned-and-operated businesses. It's also the most ethnically diverse of the four town centres, and the greenest – green space comprises approximately one-third of this quadrant's land area. "There hasn't been much economic investment in Edmonds over the last 30 years, but the City has invested a lot of money to help revitalize the area – a new fire hall, a new library and a fantastic new community centre," says Schumann. "It's poised to take off in terms of business growth and the development of community amenities and new residential communities." A "gateway" to the quadrant is being developed by Cressey Developments in the form of a mixed-use residential/office tower. The recently completed Edmonds Community Centre and Edmonds Park serve as a communal gathering spot as well as a destination for special events. Additionally, plans are afoot to turn 48 acres of land into a pedestrian-oriented, transitconnected neighbourhood that will enhance the town centre. As with other Burnaby quadrants, growth in Edmonds is not merely in the form of new buildings. Although Edmonds' Big Bend area has stimulated job growth due to its retail, commercial and industrial components, its agricultural zone is being protected and city planners are currently determining ways of opening up the Fraser River waterfront to increased recreational use. Edmonds was the historical population centre for south Burnaby and the site of the very first Burnaby City Hall, at Edmonds and Kingsway. Brentwood A mong Brentwood's many claims to fame are its internationally renowned movie and television studios, but thanks to careful planning, the quadrant (historically an industrial and commercial mecca) is evolving into a high-density residential community appealing to young families and first-time homebuyers. "It's a really exciting Solo District area because it's developing quite quickly into a really young and vibrant community with a very engaged population," says Schumann. Because Brentwood's residential growth is relatively recent (beginning in the 1980s) establishing community amenities to support residential development is key. To that end, the redevelopment of Brentwood Town Centre site by Shape Properties is a massive project that consists of centring retail and commercial spaces around a winding main street – a thoroughfare that will connect to residences and public spaces as well as transit. This new urban hub will be augmented by the new Solo District and Vantage residential developments, both of which include public spaces and much-needed amenities such as non-profit office space thanks to Burnaby's density bonusing. Lougheed Highway, which cuts through the Brentwood quadrant, is also getting a makeover: while the flow and density of traffic remains the same, flourishes such as benches, street-side greenery and rain gardens are making this major thoroughfare more appealing to pedestrians. Elsewhere in Brentwood, the North Burnaby neighbourhoods of The Heights and Capitol Hill have been singled out for commercial, entertainment and living opportunities. Brentwood Town Centre's characteristic white domes and peaks were designed to imitate the snow-capped North Shore Mountains in the background. Burnaby is booming, "and as the population grows, there's a stronger base for employment and investment," says Schumann, noting the City's concerted efforts to balance growth among residential, commercial retail and commercial office space development. "One thing that marks the difference between Burnaby and say, Richmond, North Van or Vancouver, where you have very tight commercial markets: in Burnaby you can still find space to start or expand your business," says Schumann, emphasizing that these growth opportunities lie in centrally located sites already well served by transit, shopping, recreational and public amenities. "There's always room to grow in Burnaby." ■ Burnaby Board of Trade 2013/2014  •  Membership & Resource Directory 15 p12-15 MainFeat2013.indd 15 13-10-09 10:40 AM photo courtesy IVANHOE CAMBRIDGE ces. ys in ns ds ed

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