Century Group is seeking to redevelop the Tsawwassen Town Centre mall into a massive mixed-use hub.

The Tsawwassen-based developer has submitted a development application to the City of Delta. (Tsawwassen is a distinct community within the city, having been incorporated into it decades ago. The community encompasses an area that stretches from the Canada-U.S. border to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Deltaport.)

Century is proposing to develop four high-rise towers and additional low-rise residential buildings. The project, which spans the next decade, would transform the aging single-storey shopping centre into a vibrant community landmark.

The Tsawwassen Town Centre Master Plan envisions approximately 1,433 multi-residential units, including strata and rental homes, with 20% allocated as rental units. Of these, 5% would be offered at below-market rates. In addition, the development would feature about 6,596 square metres (71,000 square feet) of commercial space, highlighted by a 2,880-square-metre (31,000-square-foot) grocery store, and parking for 1,833 vehicles.

The proposed high-rise towers are slated to rise up to 24 storeys, while neighbouring low-rise buildings would range from five to six storeys. As part of the community contributions required by Delta’s Official Community Plan (OCP), Century plans to establish a “community hub” along 56th Street, which serves as the community’s main commercial street. The hub would include a library, a mobility centre with bike storage spaces and car-share options, and an outdoor gathering space.

Doreann Mayhew, Delta’s general manager of development, described the redevelopment as the beginning of a thorough and inclusive process.

“This is a significant proposal that requires a detailed review by staff before consideration by council,” she said in a news release. “Once this analysis is complete, a number of opportunities will be planned for the public to learn about this proposal, provide feedback, and ask questions.”

The project aligns with the “urban centre” designation in Delta’s OCP, allowing for high-rise developments where substantial community benefits are provided, said the city in the news release.

Delta’s planning team will now evaluate the rezoning application with particular attention to traffic, servicing, zoning, and community impacts. Feedback from the public will be gathered through online and in-person consultations via the city’s engagement platform, Let’s Talk Delta.

Although the redevelopment application is still in its early stages, its scale and potential impact have already sparked significant interest within the community, according to the city and reports. Formal city council consideration will follow public consultations and a comprehensive review of the project details.

Sean Hodgins, Century’s president, told the Delta Optimist that the public’s response has been “generally quite positive” thus far but there has been some negative reaction.

Rendering: City of Delta/Century Group