Multiplex Pre-Sales in Burnaby
Burnaby has 6 active and 4 upcoming multiplex pre-sale projects as of early 2026. Construction costs run $380-$420/sqft — 10-15% below Vancouver — with SkyTrain access along the Expo and Millennium lines. SSMUH zoning adopted in late 2025 opened thousands of single-family lots. Here is what is available, what it costs, and which neighbourhoods are moving fastest.
Key Topics
Lower Build Costs
Burnaby construction costs average $380-$420/sqft vs Vancouver's $385-$430/sqft, giving pre-sale buyers better value per square foot.
SkyTrain Access
4 of 6 active pre-sale projects are within 800m of a SkyTrain station (Metrotown, Edmonds, Brentwood, Lougheed corridors).
10-15% Cheaper Than Vancouver
Burnaby pre-sale multiplex pricing runs $1.1M-$2.1M vs Vancouver's $1.2M-$2.5M for comparable configurations.
SSMUH Zoning Adopted
Burnaby adopted SSMUH zoning in late 2025, opening thousands of single-family lots. December 2025 bylaw reduced height to 10m.
Higher Rental Yields
Burnaby's 4.1% average rental yield vs Vancouver's 3.7% improves mortgage qualification for pre-sale buyers.
Emerging Market
Burnaby's multiplex market is newer than Vancouver's (47 applications vs 497), meaning less competition and more opportunity to get into early-stage projects.
Burnaby Pre-Sale Multiplex Projects
6 active and 4 upcoming multiplex pre-sales across Burnaby's four main corridors. Sorted by estimated completion date.
| Project | Neighbourhood | Type | Units | Price Range | Deposit | Completion | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4850 Imperial St | Metrotown | Fourplex | 4 | $1.5M-$2.1M | 20% | Q4 2027 | Selling |
| 6225 McKay Ave | Metrotown | Sixplex | 6 | $1.3M-$1.8M | 15% | Q1 2028 | Selling |
| 7180 Kingsway | Edmonds | Fourplex | 4 | $1.1M-$1.5M | 15% | Q1 2028 | Selling |
| 7455 Edmonds St | Edmonds | Fourplex | 4 | $1.2M-$1.6M | 20% | Q2 2028 | Selling |
| 4280 Dawson St | Brentwood | Fourplex | 4 | $1.4M-$1.9M | 15% | Q2 2028 | Selling |
| 3950 North Rd | Lougheed | Sixplex | 6 | $1.1M-$1.7M | 15% | Q2 2028 | Selling |
| 6520 Royal Oak Ave | Metrotown | Fourplex | 4 | $1.4M-$1.8M | TBD | 2028 | Upcoming |
| 7750 18th Ave | Edmonds | Fourplex | 4 | $1.1M-$1.5M | TBD | 2028-2029 | Upcoming |
| 4425 Halifax St | Brentwood | Sixplex | 6 | $1.3M-$1.7M | TBD | 2029 | Upcoming |
| 3880 Hastings St | Lougheed | Fourplex | 4 | $1.2M-$1.6M | TBD | 2029 | Upcoming |
Sources: Burnaby SSMUH application tracker (Mar 2026), developer marketing materials, MultiLiving project database. Prices and completion dates are estimates and subject to change. Verify directly with developers.
Burnaby vs Vancouver Pre-Sales
How Burnaby's pre-sale multiplex market compares to Vancouver across the metrics that matter for buyers.
| Metric | Burnaby | Vancouver | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-sale price range | $1.1M-$2.1M | $1.2M-$2.5M | Burnaby |
| Construction cost/sqft | $380-$420 | $385-$430 | Burnaby |
| Active pre-sale projects | 6 | 12+ | Vancouver |
| Avg. rental yield | 4.1% | 3.7% | Burnaby |
| SkyTrain access | Expo + Millennium | Canada + Expo + Millennium | Vancouver |
| Multiplex applications filed | 47 | 497 | Vancouver (maturity) |
| Permit processing time | 8-10 months | 6.2 months | Vancouver |
| Avg. walk score (project areas) | 72-78 | 72-89 | Vancouver |
| Typical deposit | 15-20% | 15-20% | Even |
| Height limit | 10m (Dec 2025 bylaw) | Varies by zone | Vancouver |
Sources: VanPlex neighbourhood data (Jan 2026), CBRE multiplex report (Feb 2026), Burnaby SSMUH tracker (Mar 2026), liv.rent March 2026 rent report. Construction costs from VanPlex and Smallworks estimates.
Burnaby Pre-Sale Corridors
Four neighbourhoods account for all active and upcoming pre-sale multiplex projects in Burnaby.
Metrotown
Metrotown Station (Expo Line) — walk score 78, transit score 72. Metropolis at Metrotown anchors commercial activity. Highest density area in Burnaby with strong rental demand from the surrounding tower population.
Metrotown commands Burnaby's top multiplex pre-sale prices because of walkability and the commercial ecosystem. Pre-sale units here sell to buyers who want urban convenience without Vancouver pricing. Expect $1.3M-$1.8M for three-bedroom units, up to $2.1M for larger configurations. The area's established condo market means resale comparables are plentiful, reducing risk for pre-sale buyers.
Edmonds
Edmonds Station (Expo Line) — walk score 72, transit score 68. Kingsway corridor provides frequent bus service. BCIT and Burnaby Hospital drive rental demand from students and healthcare workers.
The value corridor. Edmonds has the most pre-sale pipeline in Burnaby with 4 projects (2 active, 2 upcoming). Land costs run $200K-$400K less than Metrotown, and that savings flows through to pre-sale pricing. Three-bedroom units start at $1.1M. The neighbourhood is quieter than Metrotown but has improved steadily with new restaurants and the Edmonds Town Centre redevelopment. Best for buyers who prioritize entry price and rental yield over walkability.
Brentwood
Brentwood Town Centre Station (Millennium Line) — walk score 75, transit score 70. The Brentwood and the Amazing Brentwood mall have transformed this area into a secondary urban centre with towers, shops, and restaurants.
Brentwood is Burnaby's fastest-changing neighbourhood. The Millennium Line connection and the new mixed-use towers have created a mini downtown. Multiplex pre-sales here compete with condo presales for buyer attention, which keeps pricing competitive. The area attracts younger professionals and families who want SkyTrain access to both downtown Vancouver and SFU. One active project and one upcoming, with more likely as SSMUH lots in the surrounding residential streets get redeveloped.
Lougheed
Lougheed Town Centre Station (Millennium + Expo interchange) — walk score 70, transit score 74. Proximity to SFU (15 min by bus) and the Lougheed Highway commercial strip. Interchange station gives access to both SkyTrain lines.
Lougheed is the sleeper corridor. The interchange station connecting both SkyTrain lines gives it transit access that rivals Metrotown. Land prices are lower because the area has less foot traffic and commercial density. Pre-sale pricing starts at $1.1M for duplex units, making it Burnaby's most affordable entry alongside Edmonds. SFU proximity creates consistent rental demand. One sixplex project is actively selling, targeting the student and young-professional rental market.
Sources: Burnaby SSMUH tracker (Mar 2026), Walk Score, TransLink station data, developer marketing materials.
The bottom line
Burnaby's multiplex pre-sale market is small but growing fast. Six projects are actively selling and four more are in the pipeline for 2026-2027. The economics favour buyers: construction costs run 10-15% below Vancouver, SkyTrain access is strong across all four corridors, and rental yields at 4.1% outperform Vancouver's 3.7%. For buyers who care about value per square foot, Burnaby delivers more than Vancouver at every price point.
The trade-off is maturity. Vancouver has 10x more multiplex applications filed, faster permitting, and a deeper pool of completed projects to reference. Burnaby's SSMUH program is still in its first year, and the December 2025 height reduction to 10m limits what developers can build on some lots. Buyers need to verify current zoning and building envelope rules before committing to any pre-sale, because the regulatory landscape is still settling.
Edmonds and Metrotown offer the strongest combination of transit access and pre-sale availability. Brentwood and Lougheed are emerging with fewer projects but solid fundamentals. If you are comparing Burnaby pre-sales against Vancouver, the question is whether you prioritize market maturity and more options (Vancouver) or better entry pricing and higher yields (Burnaby). For most first-time multiplex buyers, Burnaby's numbers make the stronger case.
Browse our Vancouver pre-sales guide for comparison, or check the financing guide to understand deposit structures and mortgage qualification for pre-sale purchases. Ready to move? Talk to our team about available units.
Data: Burnaby SSMUH application tracker (Mar 2026), VanPlex neighbourhood data (Jan 2026), CBRE multiplex report (Feb 2026), liv.rent March 2026 rent report, Walk Score, TransLink.
Key Takeaways
- Burnaby has 6 active and 4 upcoming multiplex pre-sale projects concentrated near SkyTrain stations.
- Pre-sale pricing runs $1.1M-$2.1M — 10-15% below comparable Vancouver projects.
- Construction costs of $380-$420/sqft give Burnaby developers a margin advantage they pass to buyers.
- Metrotown and Edmonds corridors lead activity, with Brentwood and Lougheed emerging.
- SSMUH zoning adopted late 2025, but December bylaw reduced height to 10m — verify current rules before buying.
- Deposits typically run 15-20%, structured in stages over 6-12 months with trust protection under BC law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a pre-sale multiplex cost in Burnaby?
Pre-sale multiplex units in Burnaby range from $1.1M for a duplex unit to $2.1M for a larger fourplex configuration. Most three-bedroom units fall in the $1.3M-$1.7M range.
Pricing depends on unit size, configuration, and proximity to SkyTrain. Metrotown-area projects command the highest prices ($1.5M-$2.1M) due to walkability and transit access. Edmonds corridor projects run $1.1M-$1.6M. Brentwood and Lougheed projects sit in between. Developers typically structure pre-sale pricing 5-10% below projected completion values to incentivize early buyers. A 1,200 sqft three-bedroom unit near Edmonds station currently pre-sells around $1.35M, compared to $1.55M for a similar unit in East Vancouver. The gap reflects Burnaby's lower land costs and construction savings, both of which get passed through to buyers in a competitive pre-sale market.
What neighbourhoods have pre-sale multiplexes in Burnaby?
Active pre-sale projects are concentrated in four corridors: Metrotown, Edmonds, Brentwood, and Lougheed. These areas have the strongest transit access and the most SSMUH-eligible lots.
Metrotown leads with 2 active projects near the station, benefiting from Burnaby's highest walk score (78) and the commercial hub around Metropolis. Edmonds has 2 projects along Kingsway and near the Expo Line — this is the value play, with lower land costs and strong rental demand from nearby BCIT students and hospital workers. Brentwood has 1 project near the Millennium Line station, a rapidly densifying area with new tower developments adding foot traffic. Lougheed has 1 project benefiting from the Millennium Line and proximity to SFU. Upcoming projects in 2026-2027 will add to all four corridors, with 2 additional projects announced for the Edmonds area.
Is Burnaby better than Vancouver for pre-sale multiplexes?
For value-focused buyers, yes. Burnaby offers 10-15% lower pricing, cheaper construction costs, and comparable SkyTrain access. Vancouver has a more mature market with more completed projects as references.
The trade-offs are real. Vancouver has 497 multiplex applications filed versus Burnaby's 47 — that means more comparable sales data, more experienced builders, and a deeper pool of proven floor plans and configurations. Burnaby's advantage is economic: lower land costs ($1.4M-$1.8M vs $1.5M-$2.2M in East Van), lower construction costs ($380-$420/sqft vs $385-$430/sqft), and higher rental yields (4.1% vs 3.7%). The December 2025 bylaw change reducing height to 10m tightened what developers can build, so check current zoning before committing. For buyers who prioritize getting more square footage per dollar and plan to hold long-term, Burnaby's pre-sale market offers better entry economics than Vancouver.
What's the deposit structure for Burnaby pre-sales?
Most Burnaby pre-sale multiplexes require 15-20% total deposit, typically structured as 5% at signing, 5% at 30 days, and the remainder at 6-12 months or construction milestones.
Deposit structures vary by developer and project stage. Early-bird buyers in pre-marketing phases sometimes negotiate lower initial deposits (10% total) or extended timelines. The standard structure for Burnaby multiplex pre-sales: 5% upon signing the contract of purchase and sale, another 5% within 30 days, and the final 5-10% tied to a construction milestone (foundation pour, framing completion, or a calendar date 6-12 months out). Deposits are held in trust by the developer's lawyer. Under BC's Real Estate Development Marketing Act, deposits are protected — if the developer fails to complete the project, buyers get their deposits back. Some developers offer assignment clauses allowing buyers to sell their contract before completion, though this is becoming less common in the current market.
When will Burnaby pre-sale projects be completed?
Active pre-sale projects have estimated completion dates ranging from Q4 2027 to Q2 2028. Upcoming projects launching in 2026 target completion in 2028-2029.
Multiplex construction in Burnaby typically takes 14-20 months from permit approval to occupancy, depending on complexity (duplex vs fourplex, wood frame vs hybrid construction). The current active projects broke ground or received permits in 2025 and are targeting 2027-2028 completion. Burnaby's permit processing has improved but still runs 8-10 months on average — longer than Vancouver's 6.2 months because the SSMUH program is newer and the review team is still scaling. Factor in 2-3 months for pre-construction prep and 14-18 months for building, and a project that starts permitting today will likely deliver in late 2028. Weather delays, supply chain issues, and inspection backlogs can add 2-4 months. Always pad the developer's timeline estimate by 3-6 months when planning your move-in date.
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