Willoughby Town Centre: Creating a vibrant gateway for Langley

Willoughby Town Centre, in the Township of Langley, was identified by local planners as key for growth, envisioned as a lively, walkable area. Qualico and Chow & Li partnered with Kasian to design a mixed-use development that prioritizes usability and would anchor the suburban neighbourhood and serve as a gateway to the community.

Fronting Willoughby Town Centre Drive, the project combines 91 residential units, 19 retail spaces, a streetscape-fronting restaurant, and a two-storey office. This mix aligns with the township’s urban planning goals to enhance the public realm and the pedestrian experience.

The façade’s cantilevered volumes and varied materials give the frontage depth and colour, moving away from the flat street walls typical of similar suburban developments. Below-grade parking reduces the presence of vehicles, while the retention of mature trees, existing sidewalks, and a water feature further promotes walkability and strengthens the neighbourhood character.

Close collaboration with development partners ensured the project balanced client priorities with building code requirements, using both as drivers of design.

Since its completion, the residential units have sold, commercial tenants have been secured, and the project has been celebrated for its contribution to the social and economic fabric of Langley. Willoughby Town Centre now stands as a model for future developments in the region.