Kelowna Construction

[aastra]

Does this really look like the downtown of a city of ~200,000 people?

Sure, why doesn't it? If you said that was the main street in a city of 200K somewhere in California I think many people would buy it. Just add some palm trees.

[DKaz]

Downtown Kelowna is so fun when it buzzes alive with Canada Day, Friday night concerts, summers in general, New Years, etc. They just need to work on having that same buzz year round. I am concerned about the uptick in crimes I've been hearing about over the last few months though.

[jimmyboy95]

Glad to see all the new buildings going up on the Central Green site. It was an abandoned eyesore for far too long. And even before that, the former KSS was a dump. Beautiful urban renewal. Unfortunately we wont be seeing any high rises on this site, but obviously better than nothing. I love the heritage theme in this complex. Phase 1 of Rowcliffe Park is nearly complete as well.

As for Kelowna's road network, there are a lot of missing links. One of them, John Hindle Drive, is set to open in time for the school year. That will be a massive improvement for Downtown and Glenmore traffic heading to UBCO and dump traffic from Rutland. Folks living on the Valley Road/Sexsmith corridor are going to love this. Other missing links in the network include:
-Clement from Spall to Hwy 33 (definitely the most important missing link)
-McCurdy extension up Dilworth Mountain
-Burtch Rd from the current south end of the road thru past KLO and on to Benvoulin
-Hollywood Rd thru to UBCO
-South Perimeter Rd from Southridge to Crawford
-Ethel St thru the former rail yard
-Clifton to McKinley Landing

It would also make sense to link Burtch and Clifton, but its not in the plans and would involve demolishing a number of houses

[KevD]

Originally Posted by Phil McAvity

There might be a couple of big projects downtown but had the city planned it's growth properly it would already have a decent skyline because as it stands now the downtown makes it look like a town of 30,000 people. Even Vernon with a third the population of Kelowna, looks bigger.

Okay I know this is a skyscraper forum and everything but it's not the size or density of a skyline that makes a great city(LA, D.C., San Jose, any european city). There's a lot more to it believe it or not. The main reason Kelowna has remained low-rise for so long was the surrounding landscape that people didn't want blocked or whatever. It annoyed me but life goes on and now we're seeing tower buildings downtown.

Also, either you smoke crack or you've never been to Vernon because there's no way in hell Vernon looks bigger than Kelowna haha. I've lived here my whole life, I know the valley very well and Kelowna looks, feels, and is, much larger. Downtowns included. Vernon has ZERO highrises in the entire city, so how do you justify your argument?

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by DKaz

Great photos, Ian! I miss Kelowna.

Thanks! Yeah, I always wish that I could stay longer when I am there. And every year it just seems to get better.

Originally Posted by KevD

Okay I know this is a skyscraper forum and everything but it's not the size or density of a skyline that makes a great city(LA, D.C., San Jose, any european city). There's a lot more to it believe it or not. The main reason Kelowna has remained low-rise for so long was the surrounding landscape that people didn't want blocked or whatever. It annoyed me but life goes on and now we're seeing tower buildings downtown.

Also, either you smoke crack or you've never been to Vernon because there's no way in hell Vernon looks bigger than Kelowna haha. I've lived here my whole life, I know the valley very well and Kelowna looks, feels, and is, much larger. Downtowns included. Vernon has ZERO highrises in the entire city, so how do you justify your argument?

Yeah, I don't know how anyone can seriously say that downtown Kelowna only feels like a city of 30 000 or that Vernon feels larger...

Originally Posted by Phil McAvity

Does this really look like the downtown of a city of ~200,000 people?

Thanks for the perfect lead in for my next round of Kelowna pics.

Call me crazy but this looks like a pretty decent and very active core for a city of 200 000

Downtown Kelowna by Ian, on Flickr

Round We Go by Ian, on Flickr

The Fountain by Ian, on Flickr

Kelowna Streets by Ian, on Flickr

Kelowna Streets by Ian, on Flickr

Summer Bustle by Ian, on Flickr

Kelowna Bustle by Ian, on Flickr

Bernard Ave Life by Ian, on Flickr

[240glt]

Great pix! Kelowna looking really nice in the summer as always. Looks nice & clean too

[KelownaResident]

Brooklyn highrise nears final hurdle:
http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/article_4e0fdcb0-a652-11e8-82d3-3b0a726a1789.html

So looks likely that the variance to turn Brooklyn into 26 stories will pass. Also it appears like Mission Group intends to adding another couple of towers facing Bernard? Can someone do the math? How many units and residents would that add? On top of the nearly sold out Ella on Ellis/Lawrence.

[KelownaResident]

Would have been beautiful to see the 24 Kelowna project developed too.

[Emtee]

Progress?

Stalled Westcorp hotel, condo project seeks changes from Kelowna council



KELOWNA - Design changes to the interiors of residential units in the as-yet unnamed Westcorp hotel and condo tower have triggered the need for an amendment to its development permit.

Westcorp received a height variance and development permit last February allowing the Alberta-based company to build a 33-storey hotel and luxury condo tower sitting on a six-storey mixed use podium structure.

Approval by Kelowna council for the height variance, however, was given against the advice of the city planning department who said it was too big and out of scale for the area.

The company has yet to proceed with construction citing uncertainty around the provincial speculation tax introduced that same month and due to go into effect this fall.

The development has yet to open a sales office and directs retail leasing enquiries to Westcorp’s vice-president of operations Gail Temple.

The form and character development amendment requested by the company was submitted last March and is supported by staff, planner Adam Cseske says in a report to council.

Approval for the amendment does not constitute an extension of the two-year time limit on the development permit, the report notes.

Kelowna councillors will consider the amendment request at their regular meeting 1 p.m. Monday, August 27 at Kelowna city hall.

https://infotel.ca/newsitem/stalled-west...eks-changes-from-kelowna-council/it55162

[Phil McAvity]

Originally Posted by aastra

Sure, why doesn't it? If you said that was the main street in a city of 200K somewhere in California I think many people would buy it. Just add some palm trees.

Because there aren't even any mid-rises in the picture, let alone high-rises or skyscrapers, that's why.

As far as Vernon goes you guys were right, I got it confused with some other city, it doesn't have a downtown skyline either

Here's an example to prove how disjointed Kelowna is, this is Nanaimo with about half the population of Kelowna, yet it's four tallest buildings are all downtown although some of you have clearly dug in your heels so deep that there's no turning back now:

[millerman]

Hi Phil.
I appreciate your opinion about Kelowna and lack of centralized mid and high rise buildings within the city. Too much growth too fast, was a big issue for the better part of 20 yrs. I have lived in Victoria, Nanaimo and also Vernon/Kelowna, so I know those communities very well. Short of that, when you make a comparison, it should use the same bounds and parameters for all your population to be tested (here the test population is cities). The comparison of Kelowna to Nanaimo does not seem a valid comparison in the manner you presented.
The area you describe in Nanaimo comprises an AREA vs a street. The 4 buildings you mention are located on Front St, and Promenade St, not all on one street. Downtown Nanaimo can be described as an area bound to the north by Comox St, east by Front St (ocean), south by Front and Esplanade, and west by Hwy 1. The boundaries of the downtown area can vary by any group deadcribing it. However, as with Nanaimo, Victoria or Kelowna, the downtown area is NOT depicted by one street. This is how you have compared Kelowna (Bernard Street) to other cities. So to make a factual based point, Bernard Street is only one of a number of streets in downtown Kelowna; and in fact downtown Kelowna does comprise an AREA like Nanaimo or Victoria. Does Yates Street define downtown Victoria - I don't think so.......
Downtown Kelowna area is well documented in various urban research studies and planning reports. The area is comprised by Harvey Ave - south boundary, Ellis or one street further east, is east boundary, Manhatten Dr as north boundary and Water/lakefront as west boundary. This comprises a downtown area just as Victoria and Nanaimo have downtown areas, and cannot be defined by a "street". Bernard Street is a main street in downtown Kelowna, just like Douglas Street, Blanchard Street, and Government are main streets in Victoria, or Front St and Bastion St are main streets in downtown Nanaimo.
The Kelowna downtown area does have a number of mid and high rises within the downtown AREA, as depicted by Metro One's photos. In fact the photo of Ellis Street shows a great variety of buildings from renovated heritage buildings housing art studios to mid and high rise offices and residential apartments.
Bernard Street does not have many high rise buildings for ONE BIG reason, protected heritage status! Similar to Government Street in Victoria. Hence a lot of new buildings are off Bernard Ave except where non-heritage buildings are present - like the new planned Brooklyn development 25 stories.
So in the future, in order to gain my support in a debate, try to make your argument adhere to the same parameters and bounds.
By the way, I'm a huge Victoria buff, loved living in that city, although back then it was called " city of the newly wed or newly dead".

[Emtee]

One Water set to rise

Kelowna hasn't see this much concrete since construction of the Bennett Bridge.

Work crews were are at the One Water Street site in downtown Kelowna before dawn to begin a massive concrete pour that could involve as many as 2,000 truckloads.

"Our first guy arrived on site at 2:30 a.m.to get set up for all the crews at 3 a.m., and our first load of concrete came at 4 a.m.," said construction manager Robert Camacho.

About 55 workers are on site, plus those driving the concrete trucks.

"At this volume, I believe this is the largest residential pour in Kelowna's history," said Camacho.

The day has required weeks of planning.

"For the last four weeks, we have been doing nothing but planning for this day. We have been orchestrating the four pumps we have on site, coming up with backup plans, and making sure this day goes smoothly."

Soon, the building will begin rising up put of the ground.

"You're going to start seeing the building going up and start stretching into the sky," said Camacho.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/235063/One-Water-set-to-rise

[KevD]

New fly-through video for Brooklyn released today.


https://youtu.be/Zl-a0Hs4dHU

[KelownaResident]

^That's a stunning building. It gives me chills how beautiful our Kelowna is becoming. Best place for a tower too. Well done Mission Group.

[Phrescata]

Brooklyn at Bernard Block was given final approval by council.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/235193/Downtown-highrise-a-go

[240glt]

Originally Posted by KelownaResident

^That's a stunning building. It gives me chills how beautiful our Kelowna is becoming. Best place for a tower too. Well done Mission Group.

Yup, that looks really nice. the views will be spectacular

[EdmTrekker]

Who is the architect that Westcorp is using on its 133m hotel / residences?

[Bcasey25raptor]

Could I get a list of current projects approved and under construction?

[KevD]

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

Who is the architect that Westcorp is using on its 133m hotel / residences?

According to westcorp's website, its Spanish architects "GCA"

[KevD]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Could I get a list of current projects approved and under construction?

If you want a full list of any and all developments in Kelowna, CLICK HERE

Otherwise, here is a breakdown for highrise/significant developments started by user: Nray

* = Downtown

Recently completed:
Sopa - 14 Floors

Under Construction:
*1151 Sunset - 21 Floors (Finishing)
*One Water East - 36 Floors
*Ella - 20 Floors
*Ellis Parc - 14 Floors
The Shore - 6 Floors

Approved:
*One Water West - 29 Floors
*Brooklyn - 25 floors
*Westcorp Hotel - 33 Floors (on hold)
Aqua 1 - 12 Floors (on hold)
Aqua 2 - 14 Floors (on hold)
Aqua 3 - 16 Floors (on hold)


Proposals:
*1471 St Paul - 24 Floors
Capri mall redevelopment - 10+ towers 22-26 Floors
HollyPark - 16 Floors
Cedar Ave (Jenga)- 15 Floors
*Prospera North - 37 Floors
*Prospera South - 27 Floors

Feel free to fill in the blanks people.