Development in Metrotown began to pick up in the mid-1980s, in tandem with the launch in late 1985 of the SkyTrain system (including Metrotown Station), which follows the alignment of the former interurban through the area.
The form of development, however, came to be dominated by retail complexes, differing markedly from the original vision for Metrotown as a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use node.

Cal Investments received financial backing from Manulife Financial to develop the Simpsons-Sears site, with ground breaking in August 1985 and completion targeted for fall 1986; Sears was to remain as an anchor tenant at the new Metrotown Centre, to be joined in that role by Woodward's.
The Electrolier site became Station Square, opened in 1988 by Wesbild Enterprises.
 On opening day in 1988, part of anchor tenant Save-on-Foods' rooftop parking deck collapsed, injuring 21 people but causing no deaths.
The strip mall closed in 2012, and is currently going through redevelopment.
Also called Station Square, it will have five condominium towers.
Cambridge developed the Kelly-Douglas site into Eaton Centre (named after its anchor), which opened in 1989; the mall was renamed Metropolis following the demise of the Eaton's chain in 1999.

The Crystal Mall complex opened at Kingsway and Willingdon Avenue between 1999 and 2000, incorporating an Asian-themed shopping centre, residential and commercial highrises, and a Hilton hotel.
Ivanhoe Cambridge purchased Metrotown Centre in 2002, which was merged with Metropolis into a single mall (Metropolis at Metrotown) in 2005, creating the third largest enclosed shopping mall in Canada by total retail floor space.
Development in Metrotown began to pick up in the mid-1980s, in tandem with the launch in late 1985 of the SkyTrain system (including Metrotown Station), which follows the alignment of the former interurban through the area. The form of development, however, came to be dominated by retail complexes, differing markedly from the original vision for Metrotown as a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use node.
Cal Investments received financial backing from Manulife Financial to develop the Simpsons-Sears site, with ground breaking in August 1985 and completion targeted for fall 1986; Sears was to remain as an anchor tenant at the new Metrotown Centre, to be joined in that role by Woodward's. The Electrolier site became Station Square, opened in 1988 by Wesbild Enterprises.  On opening day in 1988, part of anchor tenant Save-on-Foods' rooftop parking deck collapsed, injuring 21 people but causing no deaths. The strip mall closed in 2012, and is currently going through redevelopment. Also called Station Square, it will have five condominium towers. Cambridge developed the Kelly-Douglas site into Eaton Centre (named after its anchor), which opened in 1989; the mall was renamed Metropolis following the demise of the Eaton's chain in 1999.
The Crystal Mall complex opened at Kingsway and Willingdon Avenue between 1999 and 2000, incorporating an Asian-themed shopping centre, residential and commercial highrises, and a Hilton hotel. Ivanhoe Cambridge purchased Metrotown Centre in 2002, which was merged with Metropolis into a single mall (Metropolis at Metrotown) in 2005, creating the third largest enclosed shopping mall in Canada by total retail floor space.
Metrotown, Burnaby