While the first phase of the Station Square redevelopment just got underway last fall, Burnaby city staff are preparing to work with the two companies behind the project, Anthem Properties and Beedie Living, to develop plans for the next three phases.

Burnaby council gave approval for city staff to work with the developers on a plan for the next stages of the project at Monday night's council meeting.

Demolition at the site of the first phase of the project, 4688 Kingsway, started last fall and the groundbreaking for the tower is slated to take place in the spring, Rob Blackwell, Anthem's senior vice-president of development, told the NOW in November.

The development on the northeastern portion of the site - where Boston Pizza and Red Robin used to be - is expected to be completed in three years, he said.

The site's master plan is based on urban design principles that were determined after lengthy consultations with the city, stakeholders and community members, according to Blackwell.

The project will be a mixed-use development with restaurants, retail, and residential towers linked to the rest of the city via transit and Burnaby's trail system, he said.

Plans for the development include five residential towers ranging in height from 35 to 57 storeys, a redeveloped commercial centre, and green and public spaces throughout the site.

Residential units in the first tower sold out quickly last fall.