Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the Surrey City Development Corporation have filed a development permit application for the first phase of the Centre Block project in Surrey, British Columbia. The proposed 12-storey building will eventually serve as the permanent home for the Stephens Family School of Medicine.
A 12-storey hub for the Stephens Family School of Medicine
The development application for 10270 University Drive details a mixed-use facility designed to integrate education, healthcare, and commerce. According to the report, the Phase One building will reach a maximum height of 217 feet and feature a density of 2.9 FAR.. The structure is designed as a series of vertically layered volumes with curved terracotta panels in a sandstone finish to reduce the perceived scale of the tower.
The interior allocation is heavily weighted toward academic and professional use. The plan includes 245,439 square feet of educational space and 113,227 square feet of office space.. Additionally, the building will provide 48,621 square feet for an outpatient clinic, 22,389 square feet for childcare, and 19,127 square feet of retail space. SFU will occupy levels two through seven, while the office component will take up the top three floors.
The $34.6 million stake in 10270 University Drive
The financial scale of the project reflects the long-term commitment of both the city and the university. As the report notes, the City of Surrey sold a 72% ownership interest in the 10270 University Drive site to Simon Fraser University earlier this year for $34,638,808. This ownership shift paves the way for a medical school project with a total anticipated cost of $520 million.
Construction for the Centre Block is scheduled to begin before the end of 2026, with the permanent facility expected to be operational by Fall 2030. to facilitate the interior build-out, the City of Surrey and Simon Fraser University have contracted Stantec-Revery to lead the fit-out of the interior spaces.
From a demolished recreation centre to a 360-student medical hub
The transition of this 3.5-acre site represents a significant shift in land use for the area adjacent to the Expo Line SkyTrain's Surrey Central Station. The land was previously occupied by the North Surrey Recreation Centre, which was demolished last year. This redevelopment follows more than five years of planning, though the vision has evolved; original plans suggested four towers with heights ranging from 11 to 43 storeys.
While the permanent facility is years away, the academic program is already active. the Stephens Family School of Medicine began classes in August with an initial cohort of 48 students using interim space at the SFU Surrey Campus. once the Centre Block is complete, the undergraduate medical program is expected to reach a total capacity of 360 students.
Who will staff the outpatient clinic and fill the 25% parking gap?
Despite the detailed architectural plans, some operational specifics remain unconfirmed. The application mentions that Simon Fraser University will partner with other organizations to run the outpatient clinic, with physicians potentially drawn from faculty or Surrey Memorial Hospital, but the specific partner organizations have not been named. It remains unclear how these partnerships will be structured or when the clinic will officially open.
There is also a pending request regarding infrastructure. The proposal includes a three-level underground parkade with 277 vehicle spaces and 138 bicycle spaces, but Simon Fraser University is requesting a 25% reduction from the minimum parking requirement. The university argues that shared parking at Central City and the existing SFU Surrey Campus can offset the deficit, though it is unknown if city planners will grant this variance.
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