OpenRoad Auto and Conwest Developments have teamed up to develop the Surrey Auto Loop, a new 16-acre automall expected to have up to seven dealerships and related businesses in Newton.

Surrey Honda and Mercedes-Benz Surrey are among the first confirmed brands for the new auto loop that will be built at 13340 76 Avenue. Conwest led what it called a quick rezoning process on behalf of OpenRoad, which now takes over ownership of the property as initial construction work begins this year. 

Conwest owned the industrial site when OpenRoad approached the company with its vision for Surrey Auto Loop. As a condition of the sale, Conwest took responsibility for delivering the rezoning required to make the project possible. A separate contractor will lead the construction process.

The rezoning process expanded the site’s permitted industrial uses to include automotive sales, rentals, insurance, servicing, car washes and detailing, along with complementary retail and food and beverage businesses. 

The site had formerly been used as a warehouse and distribution centre for Mountain Equipment Company. 

Rezoning process took less than four months 

Conwest submitted the rezoning application on Oct. 1, 2025; received first reading on Dec. 1; and proceeded to public hearing on Jan. 12, 2026. The rezoning advanced in approximately 3.5 months, with the sale closing shortly after the third reading. 

Ben Taddei, CEO and Partner with Conwest Developments, told RENX the quick rezoning and approvals process should be more common to help prompt new projects and new jobs amid challenging economic conditions.

"Conwest has been around for 40 years," he said. "We've done a lot of work in Surrey. We know the mayor and council. I think we have a good reputation; very community-oriented, so we’ve got good social capital there."

He said the city prioritized getting the project approved and rezoned quickly to ensure that the associated construction jobs, and jobs directly created from the auto mall, would land in Surrey. "They responded and they delivered the zoning quickly," Taddei said. 

Conwest also navigated the associated traffic, civil engineering, urban design and landscaping requirements. 

"The project is an example of how an experienced developer can help reposition employment land for a major new use, while working collaboratively with a municipality and an end user to support future job creation and economic growth," Taddei said. 

OpenRoad Auto started in 2000 and is B.C.’s largest automotive dealership group, employing more than 2,500 associates and representing 23 leading brands across 37 dealerships in B.C. and Ontario and seven collision centres.

OpenRoad excited by Surrey's growth

Christian Chia, CEO of OpenRoad Auto, said there is no doubt that Surrey is B.C.'s fastest growing city and OpenRoad felt strongly about the local demographics and the scale of the property. 

"We needed the city to be aligned with our vision, and we needed a great location too," Chia told RENX.

"We're anticipating up to seven dealerships in the location," Chia said. "We have very active discussions right now with a couple of brands… that we hope to be able to announce before the end of the year."

Chia said the construction contractors have not been selected yet, but civil and site work is expected to start this year. The first dealerships are expected to open in the first half of 2028. 

The loop will have seven lots and approximately 166,000 square feet of commercial space across multiple dealership buildings, including showrooms, offices and service facilities, along with more than 1,000 vehicle parking stalls.

Conwest 100% focused on industrial 

As for its own development strategy, Conwest is 100 per cent focused on industrial development in Metro Vancouver for the foreseeable future, Taddei told RENX. "We are… only interested in traditional industrial development for now, and the reason… is because the economics for all other asset classes are very challenged."

The regional market is in a reset, he said, pointing to trade turbulence, geo-political challenges and policy issues.  

"We have structural changes that this market and this business are going through, and it's going to result in a new equilibrium for land prices and prices for end units,” he said. “And as you can see by all the foreclosures and the news, you know it's a lot of pain for people."

There has been little to no price appreciation in the market, Taddei said. 

That has required Conwest to focus. "The market is not going to bail you out," he said. 

Conwest is focused on strata and lease-hold developments of various sizes. They’re currently approaching final sales on Fortitude, a strata warehouse building with eight units located in Port Kells, and Vulcan, a set of 14 dock-loading warehouse units in North Richmond. 

They're also active with for-lease projects including The Grid, a 52,000-square-feet freestanding warehouse now leasing in Port Kells, and Telegraph, a 173,000-square-feet warehouse project at 19520 Telegraph Trail in Surrey they hope to start marketing later this year.