Kelowna Construction

[Twindragon]

So aura and those proposed Prospera towers are up before council? Do you know what the status is or what the outcome will be? Will we be seeing something in the news about them? I’m really excited about the Prospera towers, that whole area is going to look amazing with the multiple high rises.

Btw I noticed on the mission group Instagram that they redesigned the feature at the corner of their office tower. Instead of having a clock they are wanting to have a water feature with cascading irrigation water flumes coming down the corner of the building. It looks cool.

[rdave]

Originally Posted by Twindragon

So aura and those proposed Prospera towers are up before council? Do you know what the status is or what the outcome will be? Will we be seeing something in the news about them? I’m really excited about the Prospera towers, that whole area is going to look amazing with the multiple high rises.

Btw I noticed on the mission group Instagram that they redesigned the feature at the corner of their office tower. Instead of having a clock they are wanting to have a water feature with cascading irrigation water flumes coming down the corner of the building. It looks cool.

I know that Aura is definitely moving ahead, and quickly, but those Prospera towers still require rezoning first as the site currently still only allows up to 12-storeys. I agree though, they'll fit right into that area! I'm sure once those towers go up Prospera will experience an extensive facelift itself.

As for the revisions on bernard block, I think that's awesome! The cascading water is a much better design and interesting feature.

[Nray]

It will be interesting to see which way the city will lean as the September deadline for proposals on the former RCMP site on Doyle closes in. The city had a few items on the "wish list" for artwalk extensions and community space with a residential based building, minimum 10 stories (which goes against the official downtown plan which maxed the site at 6 stories). With a number of developments moving forward (most of which required height variance) and despite the spec tax which was expected to kill future proposals, there are some rumblings around the Doyle property.

While there are no names and nothing official, a conversation hinted that there is interest for a signature tower on the site as it sits pretty much central to the rising downtown skyline. When asked what signature really meant, the response was over 150m. In perspective, Westcorp will be 131m while One Water and Prospera are both in the 116m range. This would hint to a structure of at least 45 stories. Personally, I think this is wishful thinking for a city of our size despite the rapid growth. Time will tell after bids close and the city has time to digest the proposals. I think something closer to the 15-20 storey height would look better in that spot.

[Phil McAvity]

It's great to see Kelowna finally putting up high-rises downtown but are all the current projects residential?

[Twindragon]

Originally Posted by Phil McAvity

It's great to see Kelowna finally putting up high-rises downtown but are all the current projects residential?

Most are residential. Aside from the proposed 16 floor commercial building next to Brooklyn and the 24 floor landmark 7. I’m not sure if there is a ton of demand for commercial space in kelowna yet.

[Pejamu]

Originally Posted by Phil McAvity

It's great to see Kelowna finally putting up high-rises downtown but are all the current projects residential?

One of the Brooklyn towers is commercial. Only 10 stories though i believe. Landmark 7 is commercial as well, 23 stories i think?

[SpongeG]

It's official: Aritzia is opening a store in Kelowna this fall

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/n...is_opening_a_store_in_Kelowna_this_fall/

[DKaz]

Landmark 6 is finally fully leased. 23 stories might be ambitious but the Stober family has deep pockets, plus the Landmark business district seems to be the preferred place to work by businesses and employees alike. Demand is there for downtown offices but they tend to be different crowds: financial institutions, architects, law firms, etc.

[240glt]

I know companies like Stantec, WSP, have offices in the Landmark complex, so there's already an engineering presence out there. 23 floors is definitely ambitious but I think they can leverage what Kelowna has to offer to attract more companies there. It's definitely an attractive place for a branch.. I know a lot of guys who "work" out of their Kelowna offices in the summer (and by work, I mean spend a few hours in the office then hit the links or head out on the lake for a ski) Tough life!

[DKaz]

Originally Posted by 240glt

I know companies like Stantec, WSP, have offices in the Landmark complex, so there's already an engineering presence out there. 23 floors is definitely ambitious but I think they can leverage what Kelowna has to offer to attract more companies there. It's definitely an attractive place for a branch.. I know a lot of guys who "work" out of their Kelowna offices in the summer (and by work, I mean spend a few hours in the office then hit the links or head out on the lake for a ski) Tough life!

Cima Plus and Falcon is also there. Williams is somewhat nearby on Enterprise and Reinbold is on the outskirts of downtown.

Urban Systems is big in Kelowna and they're in the entertainment district.

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by 240glt

I know companies like Stantec, WSP, have offices in the Landmark complex, so there's already an engineering presence out there. 23 floors is definitely ambitious but I think they can leverage what Kelowna has to offer to attract more companies there. It's definitely an attractive place for a branch.. I know a lot of guys who "work" out of their Kelowna offices in the summer (and by work, I mean spend a few hours in the office then hit the links or head out on the lake for a ski) Tough life!

Associated is there as well.

[Twindragon]

https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-264534-1-.htm#264534

Kelowna is going to allow wood construction buildings up to 12 stories. They mention that Ellis place building being the first wood construction to go above 4 stories. In my opinion it’s one of the ugliest buildings in kelowna. From the pink paint to the white trim around windows it looks like pure garbage. They shouldn’t have approved it. I hope with the building boom they don’t approve such ugly buildings.

[240glt]

^ It's got huge windows at least. It's not the prettiest but they've built far worse here in Edmonton.

[Twindragon]

Originally Posted by 240glt

^ It's got huge windows at least. It's not the prettiest but they've built far worse here in Edmonton.

Fortunately all it needs is a paint job really and it should look better. I just don’t like the mish mash of different colours. And the gross pinky colour

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by Nray

It will be interesting to see which way the city will lean as the September deadline for proposals on the former RCMP site on Doyle closes in. The city had a few items on the "wish list" for artwalk extensions and community space with a residential based building, minimum 10 stories (which goes against the official downtown plan which maxed the site at 6 stories). With a number of developments moving forward (most of which required height variance) and despite the spec tax which was expected to kill future proposals, there are some rumblings around the Doyle property.

While there are no names and nothing official, a conversation hinted that there is interest for a signature tower on the site as it sits pretty much central to the rising downtown skyline. When asked what signature really meant, the response was over 150m. In perspective, Westcorp will be 131m while One Water and Prospera are both in the 116m range. This would hint to a structure of at least 45 stories. Personally, I think this is wishful thinking for a city of our size despite the rapid growth. Time will tell after bids close and the city has time to digest the proposals. I think something closer to the 15-20 storey height would look better in that spot.

Not going to lie, but if proposed I would fully support a 150m+ tower at that location.

I doubt it is feasible in Kelowna at this stage (especially with the 131 metre tower already proposed), but if somehow it is pulled off, I would be quite happy.

[drto]

Originally Posted by Nray

It will be interesting to see which way the city will lean as the September deadline for proposals on the former RCMP site on Doyle closes in. The city had a few items on the "wish list" for artwalk extensions and community space with a residential based building, minimum 10 stories (which goes against the official downtown plan which maxed the site at 6 stories). With a number of developments moving forward (most of which required height variance) and despite the spec tax which was expected to kill future proposals, there are some rumblings around the Doyle property.

While there are no names and nothing official, a conversation hinted that there is interest for a signature tower on the site as it sits pretty much central to the rising downtown skyline. When asked what signature really meant, the response was over 150m. In perspective, Westcorp will be 131m while One Water and Prospera are both in the 116m range. This would hint to a structure of at least 45 stories. Personally, I think this is wishful thinking for a city of our size despite the rapid growth. Time will tell after bids close and the city has time to digest the proposals. I think something closer to the 15-20 storey height would look better in that spot.

Sorry, can you elaborate on whose “rumblings” and which “conversation “ you are referring to, and who exactly was asked what signature meant? This has the potential to be huge for our city and our future.

[DKaz]

What would happen to the community theatre?

[Nray]

Originally Posted by drto

Sorry, can you elaborate on whose “rumblings” and which “conversation “ you are referring to, and who exactly was asked what signature meant? This has the potential to be huge for our city and our future.

My conversation and I asked the question of "what does signature mean?" Again I will use the word "hint" as developers like to feel out prior to any investment. A simple query does not mean it will become an active proposal.

As for the community theatre, I believe that any project was to incorporate or add to what is already there which would be an amazing facelift along Water Street. I would think any developer bidding on such a fantastic location would sweeten the pot for the city by including upgrades to the theatre!

[Twindragon]

I’m not sure if there will be upgrades to the theatre because the official community plan or rather the civic precinct plan states that they plan to completely replace the theatre eventually. Maybe in 10 years. Would be a bit of a waste to give it a facelift then demolish it. Search for civic precinct plan kelowna it’s an interesting read.

[drto]

Originally Posted by Nray

My conversation and I asked the question of "what does signature mean?" Again I will use the word "hint" as developers like to feel out prior to any investment. A simple query does not mean it will become an active proposal.

As for the community theatre, I believe that any project was to incorporate or add to what is already there which would be an amazing facelift along Water Street. I would think any developer bidding on such a fantastic location would sweeten the pot for the city by including upgrades to the theatre!

But who was your conversation with? Which developer?