A shopping mall that once dominated downtown Aldergrove in Langley Township is being demolished to create the master-planned, mixed-use Aldergrove Town Centre.
Langley Township has approved the demolition permit, a separate excavation permit and building permits to make room for the development at 3100 272nd Street in Aldergrove.
The mall, built at the centre of the town in 1976, was big enough to accommodate large grocers, retail shops and dozens of small businesses. Now, only a dollar store and a dentist’s office are left within the remaining structure.
The Janda Group, which bought the property in 2008, is replacing the old mall with commercial, residential and public services, including a daycare.
Aldergrove’s community plan, rewritten in 2011, outlined the township’s desire to demolish the mall to entice new residents, businesses and developers to the area. The revitalization of the downtown core will create pedestrian-friendly spaces with shops, restaurants, entertainment and residential housing, according to the Janda Group.
Aldergrove Town Centre will include three six-storey buildings with residential condos and ground-level commercial space, a 10-storey tower with four levels of public parking and six levels of residential housing and the stand-alone two-level daycare.
In total, 260 new homes are proposed for Aldergrove’s first master-planned community.
The first phase sold out three residential buildings in the Bertrand Creek area, where Janda is expanding and lighting pathways, adding footbridges and reclaiming green space.
The first phase is expected to complete in the fall of 2024.
“Our goal with the development of Aldergrove Town Centre has been to keep the core values of the community at heart while helping to facilitate Aldergrove’s future growth,” said Sonny Janda, president of Janda Group in a statement.
“This project truly is the result of a pivotal collaboration with the Langley Township and residents of Aldergrove.”
Designed with walkability in mind, Aldergrove Town Centre will include local shops, grocers, cafés and dining within steps of the residential units. A new bike path will meander through the neighbourhood.
Janda Group has also integrated a new transit exchange on the west end of the development to simplify commutes. •
