By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: May 25, 2013
Squamish business park is all set for expansion as another commercial project moves forward.
Solterra Group of Companies hopes to start construction soon on a portion of the 20-acre land they purchased from the District of Squamish in last June.
Construction on the first 30,000 square-feet building with 19 units fronting Commercial Way will begin this fall or the following spring, pending approvals from the district, said Mike Bosa, a company vice-president.
The units will be for sale or lease with sizes starting at 1,450 sq-ft.
Bosa said Solterra has put together a ‘carefully considered master plan’ for the new Sea to Sky Business Park – 20 acres bounded by Commercial, Queens, Discovery and Pioneer Way.
The first phase development permit submitted to the district consists of four buildings and just over 100,000 sq-ft area.
The first phase will be located at the corner of Queens and Commercial – across from Toyota.
The buildings will be concrete and steel with integrated wood and metal architectural features.
The individual units will be well lit with second story windows (designed for mezzanine space) and front overhead glass doors.
The design also provides for generous truck turning movements, ample parking and quick access to the highway, he noted.
“The adjacent public transit and designated bikeway encourage alternative forms of transportation,” he said.
Bosa said the company hasn’t approached any tenants yet, but with the size of the property, they will be keen to accommodate any business that would fit the business park.
“We anticipate working closely with the district to attract and retain businesses looking towards Squamish needing new, attractive and flexible space,” he added.
With payments phased out over four years, Solterra purchased the land from the district at a cost of $8 million last June.
The Vancouver-based Solterra has invested heavily in Squamish in residential and commercial development.
Along with a 40,000 square foot building on Discovery Way, the company is also known locally for its Eaglewind residential development.
Bosa said Solterra has always been excited about Squamish and the future potential of the community.
“Our investment in the business park is a continuation of our belief in the growth of the local economy,” he said.
Across from the Solterra project is the Sea To Sky Industrial Suites with 12 commercial building units for sale.
Realtor Gena Belanger said there has been considerable interest from Squamish and Vancouver in the buildings.
“We just sold our first space and have a few more deals on the go,” she said.
Kristy Moller says
Do you know what the lease rates are going to be?
Dave says
Good….Now DOS, don’t blow this away with red tape. Take your “Downtown” blinkers off for a wee while:-)
Darren McCartney says
Hi Kristy,
I am the sales rep on the site. Send me an email and I can get you all the details.
Best, Darren
Darren.mc@shaw.ca
Ron says
Maybe they can lease those prime locations for commercial grow ops as well.
kristi says
don’t we have lots of commercial space available in Squamish already? Is there a shortage? Same goes for townhouses and condos, Squamish seems to be filled to the brim with empties…?
Dave says
The point is Kristi, that a piece of land with a commercial building on it that is filling, even if not completely full, gives us more tax revenue than one with no building. Squamish needs trends like this to proceed. We need businesses to move in to the industrial site…that is what it is designed for. Empty lots in this area are useless. And these buildings will fill …. they don’t have to be coffee shops or art stores….that’s for down-town, I guess:-)
Dottie says
Great article.
Wondering if Solterra plans to finish the concreate-formed fase at Eaglewind anytime soon. We homeowners at Talon at Eaglewind look upon it every day and wonder when it will be completed…
Ronan says
Let’s hope they hire local trades to build the complex.
Jaspera says
Another boring, ugly, unimaginative building with no concept of landscaping and beautification, even if it is an “industrial park”, aided and abetted by an equally unimaginative, visually bankrupt DoS. Poor Squamish. Despite being set in the midst of a fantastically beautiful environs, its unique beauty is constantly squandered by developers and Squamish administration alike. RIP!