Schroeder Properties Limited, one of British Columbia's largest commercial developers, announced the impending development of Tech-Park, a project being labeled the first fully integrated, power smart high-tech business park in North America. The project, in the heart of Vancouver, B.C., is also the largest commercial development ever undertaken in British Columbia. If all goes as planned, Tech Park will start taking on tenants in the fourth quarter of next year.

Schroeder Properties gave conference attendees a preview of Tech Park's design and data communication infrastructure. BC Hydro's low cost, dedicated power supply will serve the 2.5 million square feet of office space. "Power quality and reliability are critical to our high-tech customers,'' said Michael Costello, BC Hydro president and CEO. "Working with Schroeder Properties right from the start of this project enabled BC Hydro to create a power infrastructure to supply the facility with the highest quality and most reliable power available.''

The $500 million development is a joint partnership between Schroeder Properties Limited and ING Realty Partners, a North American real estate investment group. After the site is completed and tenant improvements are made, Tech Park could be valued at $1 billion.