Surrey’s 104 Avenue ghost building revived with renovations

One of Surrey’s most infamous landmarks is finally showing signs of life.

The long-abandoned 104 Avenue commercial complex, often called the city’s “ghost building,” has been painted a darker shade and is seeing renovations after sitting empty for close to 27 years.

The property, built in 1998, was sold last May in a $56.5-million, court-ordered deal. Work crews, including Castle Exterior, have been active at the site in recent weeks, sparking fresh optimism for its future.

“The buyer wants to bring life to this part of the community,” Colliers agent Dylan Sohi said earlier this year.

The 274,285-square-foot structure has a curious history. Originally intended to be an Asian-themed “showmart” in the late 1990s, those plans were scrapped. American lawyer Donald Pitt later purchased the building in the mid-2000s, but despite interest from Fraser Health, Simon Fraser University, RCMP, and others, no long-term tenant or buyer ever materialized.

Over the years, the building has served as a filming location and entertained a variety of proposed uses — from banquet hall to office space, housing, restaurants, bowling alley, and even an auto-sales showroom — none of which came to fruition.

Now, with renovations underway, residents and business leaders alike are watching to see if this long-vacant property can finally shed its “ghost” reputation and become a vibrant hub in Surrey’s cityscape.