Kelowna Construction - Page 242

Repthe250 · #**4821** Posted **Jul 25, 2024, 5:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackko

The Shore building, right on the Gyro beach was kinda an unofficial hotel, renting great apartments for tourists.

But with the short-term rental rules, it is now GONE.

https://theshorekelowna.com/vacation-notice/

Of course, I agree with the fact that more hotels are needed, but I am skeptical that forbidding Airbnb will help this in the short run, interest rates and construction costs still make it not possible to build.

Only 2 small hotels are proposed now, none in downtown.
https://developkelowna.ca/projects/proposed/hotels

3 hotels - CANCELED, all downtown:
https://developkelowna.ca/projects/hold/hotels

The only other possible hotel in downtown was the Water St by the Park 3rd tower, but so far it is unknown what they will build there and when. With the rates going down, more options will open up.

Major bummer.

This city needs to remember that it relies heavily on tourism. Less luxury condos along the lake, and more accommodations for those that come here for just that. The lake, the beaches, the downtown “vibe” on a hot August night. Hotels by Orchard Park or the Airport are a start but that seems catered to pass-thru tourists. Not ones that are going to stay for an extended period of time. And if they do, they’ll need their car to do literally anything.

KelownaResident · #**4822** Posted **Jul 25, 2024, 6:00 AM**

Now would be a great time to bring back the Westcorp Downtown Hotel.

bilbao58 · #**4823** Posted **Jul 25, 2024, 5:21 PM**

Deleted

Metro-One · #**4824** Posted **Jul 26, 2024, 2:25 AM**

The sheer lack of hotel projects in downtown Kelowna is mindboggling.

csbvan · #**4825** Posted **Jul 26, 2024, 5:27 AM**

I have heard rumours a prominent and put on hold hotel project is coming back, and there is another new major hotel proposal that should be submitted soon. The end of airbnb has changed the hotel market. It is coming back.

Metro-One · #**4826** Posted **Jul 26, 2024, 10:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by csbvan

I have heard rumours a prominent and put on hold hotel project is coming back, and there is another new major hotel proposal that should be submitted soon. The end of airbnb has changed the hotel market. It is coming back.

Thank for the inside info. Hopefully those projects come forward sooner than later.

And good riddance to Airbnb. At its start it was a nice cheap alternative to overpriced hotels, but now it’s just as expansive (if no more) than hotels with countless bizarre instructions and limitations.

LFC · #**4827** Posted **Jul 26, 2024, 1:58 PM**

It became apparent to Kelownas lack of hotels when I went to book a staycation for an anniversary celebration and our options were the Delta Grand ($376/night at that), Eldorado or Manteo for decent "romantic" accommodations.

After that it was mid city options like Capri, Hyatt, Sandman, Ramada or even further out to the airport.

For a city that is so reliant on tourism and boasts itself as a tourist destination, we are majorly lacking in decent lodging options. Removing Airbnb isnt going to make it any easier.

Thank goodness for Sparkling Hill.

Metro-One · #**4828** Posted **Jul 26, 2024, 2:25 PM**

Well, the prices for lodging in Canada are a completely different story...

Here in Japan, you can stay in most areas for around 70 dollars a night if alone, maybe around 120 dollars a night for a family, and this will be a nice hotel with a huge bathhouse and complimentary all you can eat (and drink) buffet dinner (and sometimes breakfast too!)

When I moved away from Canada 11 years ago (I honestly can't believe its been that long now) hotel prices weren't that bad, I could usually find a decent double bed accommodation at a mid level hotel for 100 to about 130 dollars in decent locations (Osoyoos, Kelowna, etc...) but like everything else, prices just seem to have gone goofy in North America.

But either way, a larger hotel room stock in downtown Kelowna could hopefully take at least a little pressure off the situation.

giallo · #**4829** Posted **Jul 26, 2024, 2:34 PM**

Removing primary short term AirBnB condos definitely hurts tourism, but I think it's one of those "rip the bandaid off" scenarios. Until we get our lack of housing in order, investment condos being bought primarily to house tourists while residents scramble to find a place to live isn't good for a growing, healthy city. When your city is no longer an attractive place for people to live and work, tourism will eventually feel the effects of that.

AirBnBs still exist, of course, but it's more like how it used to be; staying in a room in an occupied house or apartment. Obviously, that's not an ideal situation for a lot of travellers, but the housing crisis is more of a pressing issue at the moment.

Having said that, $500+ per night for a room at the Delta in Kelowna is insanity.

KelownaResident · #**4830** Posted **Jul 26, 2024, 3:21 PM**

It'll take a few years for hotel stock to catch up with demand but it is absolutely the right thing to keep AirBnB's in check.

Repthe250 · #**4831** Posted **Jul 30, 2024, 5:34 AM**

If done right, a hotel can drastically improve a neighborhood. Pandosy and Downtown need a hotel with a restaurant/bar in the lobby similar to the Civic Hotel in Surrey. That hotel and restaurant (Diminion Bar + Kitchen) has done wonders to the Surrey Central neighborhood and was a go to for myself on Friday nights with friends. Not saying Downtown or Pandosy doesn’t have a good stock of restaurants or bars, but when a hotel includes a gathering place at the base, it really makes a difference and is a destination in itself. Something Airbnb could never do.

LFC · #**4832** Posted **Jul 31, 2024, 1:50 PM**

Saw some incredible shots of kelowna recently on instagram by @idrive400

svlt · #**4833** Posted **Jul 31, 2024, 11:20 PM**

squint hard enough and this could look like some seaside community in California or Florida if you ignore the local flora here

Homerbush · #**4834** Posted **Aug 1, 2024, 12:27 AM**

On my way back from a paddle out by Sarsons beach, I took some photos along the way on the drive back through Pandosy and into downtown. Here they are:

Aqua:

Caban and Movala:

Cristina Parc (looks a little better heading south as opposed to north):

Water Street by the Park:

UBC Okanagan downtown hole:

Bertram Street rental tower crane:

Bertram and the Block (first from Bertram, then from Safeway parking lot):

Homerbush · #**4835** Posted **Aug 1, 2024, 12:27 AM**

Wow, awesome shots! Thanks for sharing! (In response to LFC's post above mine)

Metro-One · #**4836** Posted **Aug 1, 2024, 5:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by svlt

squint hard enough and this could look like some seaside community in California or Florida if you ignore the local flora here

Actually the local flora in the Okanagan is quite similar to many parts of California since they are part of the same broad ecoregion. (Ponderosa Pine, Sagebrush, Rabbitbrush, Sumac, etc... are all present in both areas).

And great pics on this page!!

Bcasey25raptor · #**4837** Posted **Aug 1, 2024, 6:20 AM**

I'm now back in Vancouver but I can state an observation after being in kelowna for a month from June 27th to July 28th, the Eli gained 4 floors in that month so the Building appears to be building 4 floors a month. It was on floor 28 when I got there and it now appears to be at floor 32.

By the end of August it should be at 36 floors, by the end of september it should reach 40 floors, meaning it should top out around mid october.