Two Years in 'Permit Hell': Burnaby’s Second T&T Finally Starts Construction, Exposing the Hidden Risk in Mixed-Use Condo Promises

Construction has finally commenced on Burnaby's long-awaited second T&T Supermarket location at Gilmore Place along Lougheed Highway, following what CEO Tina Lee described as more than two years of "permit hell." The grocery store, originally slated to open in summer 2025, faced extended delays that pushed the timeline back significantly as the company navigated complex municipal approvals. In a video update posted to social media, Lee acknowledged the difficulties of building in Vancouver, citing "weird ceiling heights" and complex utility infrastructure running through both floors and ceilings of the mixed-use development. The site presents particular challenges for large-format retail operations, requiring specialized refrigeration and heavy equipment to be installed within a structure featuring numerous concrete columns and constrained vertical clearances that complicate standard supermarket layouts.