New hotel and convention centre complex to replace Pacific Inn Resort in South Surrey

Jan 20 2021, 4:39 am

There are far more ambitious plans to renew the hotel and meeting facilities at Pacific Inn Resort in South Surrey.

At the time of the “Pink Palace” property’s closure to guests in October 2018, the hotel operator indicated the complex would undergo an extensive interior and exterior renovation at a cost of $28 million.

But preliminary plans by Mason Link Development show there is now a possible new direction to demolish the existing hotel structures for a new mixed-use complex.

The City of Surrey is in the early stages of reviewing a rezoning application to turn the 4.8-acre site at 1160 King George Boulevard into two new hotel buildings reaching 10 storeys and six storeys.

Existing condition:

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

The exterior of Pacific Inn Resort used as a film and television production studio. (Pacific Inn Resort)

Proposed condition:

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

Preliminary artistic rendering of the new Double Tree by Hilton complex at the site of Pacific Inn Resort at 1160 King George Boulevard, Surrey. (IBI Group/Mason Link Development)

There will also be a four-storey convention centre with 41,200 sq. ft. of conference and meeting space — more than four times the space of the existing building.

DoubleTree by Hilton was announced as the hotel’s new post-renovation brand, and they have been retained as the brand for this latest redevelopment concept.

Preliminary artistic renderings by design firm IBI Group show a contemporary architectural concept pronounced by a striking large covered outdoor plaza, underneath a convention centre space wedged between the two hotel buildings. The rooftop of this structure over the plaza is landscaped.

On the ground level of the buildings, retail and restaurant spaces are planned.

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

Preliminary artistic rendering of the new Double Tree by Hilton complex at the site of Pacific Inn Resort at 1160 King George Boulevard, Surrey. (IBI Group/Mason Link Development)

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

Preliminary artistic rendering of the new Double Tree by Hilton complex at the site of Pacific Inn Resort at 1160 King George Boulevard, Surrey. (IBI Group/Mason Link Development)

There is also space on the expansive property for two new six-storey residential buildings.

Few details are available at this early stage of the project’s rezoning process. The property changed hands in 2015 in a deal worth $11 million.

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

Preliminary artistic rendering of the new Double Tree by Hilton complex at the site of Pacific Inn Resort at 1160 King George Boulevard, Surrey. (IBI Group/Mason Link Development)

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

Preliminary artistic rendering of the new Double Tree by Hilton complex at the site of Pacific Inn Resort at 1160 King George Boulevard, Surrey. (IBI Group/Mason Link Development)

This hotel redevelopment concept maximizes the large site and takes advantage the property’s close proximity to the US-Canada border — about a four-minute drive on Highway 99 from the Peace Arch border crossing.

The hotel is highly visible along the highway corridor, located immediately next to the southbound exit onto King George Boulevard.

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

The atrium of Pacific Inn Resort before its closure. (Pacific Inn Resort)

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

The atrium of Pacific Inn Resort before its closure. (Pacific Inn Resort)

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

Interior event space at the existing Pacific Inn Resort building. (Pacific Inn Resort)

The existing, tropical-themed Pacific Inn Resort complex was completed in 1992 with 150 hotel rooms and about 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space. Its total floor area is 210,000 sq. ft., including the large floor area of an impressive glass-covered indoor atrium courtyard with guest amenities such as a swimming pool, lounge areas, and a restaurant.

Although the hotel has been closed for the past two years, the building is now seeing active temporary uses as a large film and television production studio.

Some changes have been made to the atrium to suit the needs of productions, including a repaint and the removal of the restaurant structures to create a more open space. Of special note, Stephen King’s The Stand on CBS All Access was filmed at the Pacific Inn.

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

The atrium at Pacific Inn Resort modified for film and television productions. (Pacific Inn Resort)

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

A scene from “The Stand” filmed in the atrium of Pacific Inn Resort. (CBS)

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

Green screens for film and television productions inside the atrium of Pacific Inn Resort. (Pacific Inn Resort)

pacific inn resort 1160 king george boulevard surrey

Green screens for film and television productions inside the atrium of Pacific Inn Resort. (Pacific Inn Resort)

Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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