In the heart of Burnaby’s Edmonds Town Centre, a bold new vision is taking shape. The City of Burnaby, BC Housing, and BC Hydro are jointly spearheading the Kingsway and Edmonds Conceptual Master Plan — a transformative redevelopment that will breathe new life into a significant, underused site. With City Council endorsement in spring 2023, the project promises to bring thousands of new homes, community amenities, and a vibrant urban landscape to South Burnaby.

From Aging Towers to a Thriving Urban Hub

Currently, the 4.5-acre site at the southwest corner of Kingsway and Edmonds Street houses the aging Hall Towers, two midrise buildings offering 331 non-market apartments. Built over 40 years ago, these towers are nearing the end of their lifespan, requiring extensive and costly repairs. The site also has deep roots in Burnaby’s civic history — once home to Burnaby City Hall and the original Tommy Douglas Library branch.

The Kingsway and Edmonds redevelopment aims to replace the aging structures with five shimmering highrises ranging between 33 and 52 storeys. This "family of five towers" will introduce a dynamic mix of housing, commercial spaces, public gathering areas, and green amenities designed to create a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood.

A Mixed-Income Community for Burnaby’s Future

Housing affordability and diversity are at the heart of the plan. Over 2,400 new homes are envisioned, including more than 1,400 purpose-built rental units (both market and non-market) and around 1,000 market strata condominiums.

On City-owned land, about two-thirds of the units will be market condos, with the remainder dedicated to rental — including 233 units offered at 20% below the local median rate, exceeding Burnaby’s affordable housing policy. Meanwhile, BC Housing’s portion will focus heavily on affordability, replacing all 331 Hall Towers units and adding 875 new rental homes priced 10% below market rates. A large provincial investment will support this significant non-market housing commitment.

Beyond housing, the plan envisions lively streetscapes lined with shops, offices, live-work spaces, and childcare and community service facilities. A new north-south connection dubbed "The Mews" will link Kingsway and Edmonds Street, improving site circulation while prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Thoughtful Urban Design with Community at Its Core

Urban design principles for the project draw on the site’s historical significance and its role within Burnaby’s broader fabric. The tallest towers will anchor the northeast and northwest corners, creating a striking visual "gateway" into the neighbourhood. At the heart of the development, a central plaza and community gathering spaces — including gardens, performance areas, and rooftop spaces — will offer residents and visitors places to connect, relax, and celebrate.

The project emphasizes sustainability, accessibility, and social inclusion. Public consultation shaped many aspects of the design, reflecting resident desires for more non-market housing, safer transportation infrastructure, and accessible, family-friendly spaces.

Notably, the plan is deeply respectful of the site’s location within the ancestral and unceded territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples, honoring its layered histories as a municipal center, public gathering place, and transit route.

A Tenant-First Approach

A top priority throughout the redevelopment process is the well-being of current Hall Towers residents. BC Housing has committed that tenants will not face displacement until their replacement homes are ready. Residents will be offered equivalent rental arrangements, with BC Housing covering moving expenses and utility reconnections. This tenant-first approach has been reinforced through ongoing engagement, including dedicated tenant information sessions and feedback surveys.

The replacement tower for Hall Towers residents will be the first to rise, ensuring a seamless transition for those who call the site home today.

What’s Next?

With the conceptual master plan endorsed, the project team is now focused on securing final adoption in 2024. Detailed design work for the first tower — Tower "A" — will kick off later this year, leading to rezoning and permitting processes throughout 2026. Construction is set to begin in phases starting in 2027, with the first new homes welcoming residents around 2029.

Burnaby’s Kingsway and Edmonds development stands poised to redefine Edmonds Town Centre — delivering new housing choices, urban vibrancy, and a strong community heart for future generations.

Curious about how major projects like Kingsway and Edmonds could reshape the future of Burnaby’s South Side? We’re closely tracking every update to keep our clients informed and empowered. Want to stay in the know?

The Burnaby Real Estate market saw an increase in activity in the month of March versus February with a total of 318 sales and 516 new listings across all property types. While inventory and total sales remain well under the 10-year average for this time of year housing prices and activity improved more than was expected for the month. The following table provides the benchmark price for each property type and the % change during the month:

While the number of properties listed for sale in Burnaby increased during the month the amount of real estate currently for sale is still far lower than is typical of this time of year. This lack of inventory combined with the number of sales in the month has the Sales-to-Active listing ratios for all property types - as detailed in the table below - well above 20% across the City of Burnaby. Should this persist there will be upward pressure on real estate prices.

Some points of interest on the Burnaby Real Estate Market for the month of March:

• The highest sale in Burnaby during the month of March was for a property in Burnaby Souths Deer Lake Place neighborhood that was listed for $3,990,000 and sold $3,587,000.

• The most inexpensive sale in Burnaby for the month of March was a 1-bedroom condo located in the Simon Fraser Hills neighborhood that was listed for $399,000 and sold for $389,000.

• Houses in Burnaby South saw the most value appreciation with a 3.7% increase

• Townhouses throughout the City of Burnaby decreased in value during the month

• Condos in Burnaby East saw the most value appreciation with an increase of 3.5%

In February, Burnaby's real estate market saw a significant decline in both detached home and condo sales. The 47 detached home sales in Burnaby represent a 54% decrease from the 102 sales recorded during the same month last year. This decline was mirrored in the condo market, which saw 180 apartments sold in February compared to 303 the previous year.

Despite the drop in sales, the Sales-to-Active listing ratio within the Burnaby detached housing market actually increased to 24% which would suggest there to be upward pressure on pricing in this marketplace. This is in large part due to a 58% decline in the number of homes that were brought to the market, which was 151 last year, versus just 81 homes this past February.

Similarly, the condo market also experienced a decrease in the number of listings, with 276 condos listed for sale this February compared to 393 in February of last year. This represents a reduction of almost 30% in the number of condominiums added to the market. With that, the sales-to-active listing ratio in the Burnaby condo market also increased this past month from just 16% at the end of January to 38% to begin March.

It's important to note that the decline in sales and new listings may be due to a variety of factors. While the increase in the sales-to-active listing ratio to figures above 20% in both the condo and detached housing marketing suggests that there may be upward pressure on prices in Burnaby there are also other contributing factors to that including the number of homes removed from the market without a sale.

Some other interesting stats to end February from the Burnaby housing market:

• The benchmark price of a Burnaby North townhouse was up 2.4% in February to $892,100

• The benchmark price of a Burnaby house, while down 10.4% over the year, was up this past month to $1,893,800.

• The benchmark price of a Burnaby condo has seen two consecutive positive months and now at $736,000

• At month's end there were 482 condos for sale, 68 townhouses and 203 homes across Burnaby.

Burnaby’s Brentwood neighbourhood is about to welcome a long-anticipated civic jewel. The Brentwood Community Centre (BCC) project is set to become a cornerstone in the transformation of the Brentwood Town Centre—a rapidly growing hub poised to evolve into a vibrant, connected, and sustainable urban community. With construction set to begin in 2026, this eight-level facility promises not only cutting-edge amenities but also a renewed sense of community for one of Burnaby’s fastest-growing areas.

A Community-Driven Vision for Brentwood

The Brentwood Community Centre is the result of years of careful planning, public consultation, and alignment with Burnaby’s Strategic Plan. Designed as the “civic heart” of the Brentwood Town Centre, the project addresses the urgent need for community spaces in a neighbourhood that has seen explosive residential growth, particularly among young families.

Located on the north side of Dawson Street between Alpha and Beta Avenues—steps from the Brentwood Town Centre SkyTrain station—the BCC site was deliberately chosen for its accessibility. Unlike traditional centres built within parkland, this urban-integrated model sits within the high-density core of Brentwood, complementing nearby housing, schools, and green spaces. The centre is part of the 7.9-acre Brentwood Block master-plan by Grosvenor, which will bring over 3,500 new homes—2,450 of them rentals—along with significant retail and office space.

What’s Inside: A Modern, Inclusive, Multi-Use Space

The Brentwood Community Centre is more than just a gym or a hall—it’s an eight-level, 106,000 square foot facility crafted for diverse community needs. From fitness to the arts, childcare to culinary learning, the centre’s design caters to all walks of life.

Key features include:

• A welcoming lobby with gathering space and public art

• A double gymnasium for sports and events

• Fitness and strength training rooms

• Multipurpose and meeting rooms

• A teaching kitchen

• Preschool and childminding spaces

• Arts and music rooms

• Dedicated creative spaces

One standout feature is the Podium Park—a rooftop public park located on the fourth floor, complete with a large lawn, fenced pet area, BBQ facilities, and outdoor dining. This innovative space brings a much-needed green oasis to a neighbourhood with limited parkland, while also supporting community programming and events.

*Photos by Brentwood Block by Grosvernors and City of Burnaby

From Vision to Reality: Timeline and Budget

The BCC has been in the works since 2021, when Burnaby City Council entered a Master Agreement with Grosvenor. The project’s evolution reflects both strategic foresight and responsive governance:

• 2022: Design development begins; initial project budget set at $139M

• 2024: Council approves a revised budget of $146.3M, including $7.3M for the podium park

• 2025: Final planning approvals expected

• 2026: Construction slated to begin

• 2029: Targeted completion and opening of the community centre

The project is largely funded through Burnaby’s Community Benefit Bonus Reserve—a fund derived from developer contributions. With changes in provincial legislation around development cost charges, Burnaby has introduced new funding mechanisms, including a proposed 1.9% tax increase to support growth-related infrastructure.

A Fair Share for a Growing Neighbourhood

The decision to move forward with the Brentwood Community Centre wasn’t without debate. Some councillors expressed concerns about parking limitations, design efficiency, and timing—especially as the previously planned Confederation Park Community Centre was put on hold. However, the majority supported the BCC as a much-needed investment in a community that has seen dramatic residential growth, particularly among children and young families.

From 2016 to 2021, Brentwood added nearly 900 children—yet lacked adequate recreational facilities to support them. As councillors pointed out, the funds used to build this centre came from Brentwood’s own development-driven contributions. For many, it’s about equity and responding to the real, on-the-ground needs of residents.

Building for a Sustainable Future

The BCC and the surrounding Brentwood Block are designed with sustainability in mind. Grosvenor’s development exceeds city standards, aligning with a commitment to Net Zero Operational Carbon by 2030. Features like extensive green space, low-carbon systems, and pedestrian-first design aim to create a model for modern urban living.

Although specific green technologies in the BCC haven’t all been detailed, the broader project includes a green roof, solar panels, and mass timber construction—elements likely to be reflected in the community centre itself. The centre is a symbol of Burnaby’s commitment not only to environmental sustainability, but also to social and financial stewardship.

Looking Ahead

As Brentwood grows into one of Burnaby’s most dynamic neighbourhoods, the new community centre will be more than just bricks and mortar—it will be a space for connection, culture, recreation, and community-building. With its central location, inclusive programming, and thoughtful design, the Brentwood Community Centre is set to be a defining piece of the neighbourhood’s future.

Curious how this could shape the future of Brentwood? We’re keeping a close eye on projects like this so our clients always stay informed. Want to be one of them?