What if these streets could talk? Metrotown in Burnaby would narrate a tale of transformation. It would begin as a military reserve to its rise as a bustling urban center.
Originally, the Royal Engineers built a trail. It linked New Westminster and False Creek. This trail became Kingsway. It played a crucial role in Metrotown’s early development. Land was set aside for military use. This marked the initial phase of Metrotown’s evolution.
Fast forward to Burnaby’s incorporation in 1892. The area became more appealing for settlement. The interurban line connected Vancouver and New Westminster. The provincial government established holding lots. These lots accommodated working-class residents. The street orientation reflects the path of the interurban line.
During the Great Depression, Burnaby faced financial strain. William Pritchard started make-work programs. A deal was struck with Ford Motor Company. An assembly plant opened near Kingsway and McKay Avenue in 1938. It produced military vehicles during World War II. Later, it became an Electrolier facility. Kelly-Douglas Company built a plant in 1946. Simpsons-Sears opened a facility in 1954.
In 1966, Burnaby’s planners proposed town centers. These would integrate housing, commerce, and amenities. Metrotown was identified as a potential site. By 1974, planners focused on one metro town. The Kingsway/Sussex area was chosen.
The Greater Vancouver Regional District joined in 1975. It proposed regional town centers. Metrotown was seen as an ideal location. Its central position and the planned SkyTrain line made it favorable.
Recessions in the 1970s caused uncertainty. A naming contest was held in 1982. The name Metrotown stuck. Daon Development Corporation proposed a large project. Financial issues stalled development. The Triple Five Group proposed a mall at Lougheed Highway and Boundary Road. The municipal council reaffirmed Metrotown’s importance. Daon pulled out in 1985.
Development resumed in the mid-1980s. The SkyTrain launched in 1985. It stimulated growth. Retail complexes dominated development. This differed from the original mixed-use vision for Metrotown.
Metrotown Centre opened in 1986. Sears and Woodward’s were anchor tenants. The Electrolier site became Station Square in 1988. Cambridge developed Eaton Centre, opening in 1989.
Crystal Mall opened between 1999 and 2000. It featured an Asian-themed shopping center. In 2005, Metrotown Centre merged with Metropolis. It became Metropolis at Metrotown. This created Canada’s third-largest enclosed shopping mall.
Today, Metrotown has over 400 stores. It has many amenities. Central Park sits at its edge. Metrotown attracts immigrants. It is ethnically diverse. The commercial life is increasingly Asian.
Metrotown continues to evolve. Future plans include high-rises and pedestrian plazas. The master plan approved in 2019 will transform the mall. It will become a downtown neighborhood.
Metrotown stands as a testament to urban planning. From its origins to its present form, it reflects Burnaby’s growth. The story of Metrotown is still being written. Each new development adds another chapter to its vibrant history.