Unique High-Rise Proposal in Surrey Includes New Mosque

📅 4 days ago

A new high-rise development proposal in Surrey not only seeks to add residential units but also includes a mosque, marking a unique blend of community needs.

In Surrey, a new rezoning application has been submitted that introduces an innovative element to the city’s high-rise proposals: a mosque. The site under consideration encompasses the addresses 13508, 13526, 13536, and 13546 98A Avenue, located near the intersection of King George Boulevard and Fraser Highway, just a block south of Holland Park and the King George Station on the Expo Line SkyTrain. Currently, the site includes Masjid Al Noor, also recognized as the "Mosque of Lights," which was established in 1994 and occupies the building originally constructed in 1946. The remaining three parcels are residentially occupied by single-family homes.
According to BC Assessment, the total assessed value of the four parcels amounts to $9,511,600 as of July 1, 2025, with individual values of $2,001,000, $4,010,600, $2,033,000, and $1,467,000. The proposal seeks to rezone the current designations from R3 (Urban Residential) and PA-1 (Assembly Hall) to CD (Comprehensive Development), allowing for the construction of a 38-storey residential tower that will feature 373 units. The breakdown of residential units includes 10 studio apartments, 212 one-bedroom units, 141 two-bedroom units, and 10 three-bedroom units. In addition to the residential component, the project plans to incorporate 21,840 square feet of commercial space for the new mosque, which will be physically linked to the tower, with the tower positioned on the right side of the mosque, facing 98A Avenue. Each component will have its own entrance, and the mosque will be oriented towards Mecca, as noted in a recent planning report from city staff.
The development proposes a density of 8.1 FAR (Floor Area Ratio), and due to its classification as a Tier 2 transit-oriented area, there are no minimum parking requirements. Nonetheless, the project includes plans for a six-level underground parking facility, which will accommodate 332 vehicles and provide 466 bicycle parking stalls.
The city staff report indicated that the proposal does not align with the city’s existing policies, particularly regarding land use designations and maximum density. However, staff expressed support for the project, remarking that increased densities are generally acceptable in the City Centre area and align with nearby approved developments. They also highlighted the proposal's high-quality architectural design, improved streetscape, and positive contributions to the surrounding community.
The architectural design for the tower is being developed by DF Architecture, owned by Group 161. The design concept aims to create an "ascending motion throughout the massing," employing various elements to support this theme, including a residential canopy at the base and stepped interlocking volumes of the mosque and podium setbacks. As the tower rises, it features two-storey indoor-outdoor amenity spaces, culminating in a distinctive crown that changes the tower's cladding.
The City of Surrey received three petitions regarding the proposal: one opposing the entire project, one opposing just the high-rise, and one supporting the whole endeavor. The supportive petition garnered the most signatures, with a total of 2,101 supporters. Recently, Surrey City Council granted the first and second readings to the application, advancing it to a public hearing scheduled for June 15.

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