[City Of Rain]

3-tower redevelopment up to 435 ft proposed for downtown Kelowna

This proposal would be considered a significant redevelopment even if it were slated for a site in downtown Vancouver — but it is actually proposed for downtown Kelowna.
A newly submitted development permit application to the City of Kelowna outlines plans for a “big city” redevelopment project at the sites of 234-278 Leon Avenue and 1620-1630 Water Street — the northwest and southwest corners of the intersection of Leon Avenue and Water Street.
Currently, the sites — just east of Kelowna City Park and the Okanagan Lake waterfront — are occupied by a mix of low-storey commercial buildings.

The mixed-use redevelopment is spearheaded by North Vancouver-based Venue Kings Ticket Brokers and designed by HDR Architecture Associates.
The proposal calls for three towers reaching 42 storeys, 30 storeys, and 24 storeys, with the tallest towers containing 600 market residential units and the shortest tower providing 216 hotel suites. The tallest tower reaches a height of 435 ft, which is approximately 183 ft taller than what is permitted by existing zoning.

All three towers also include a multi-level podium with 45,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space, and the most of the provided vehicle parking.
A new mass timber pedestrian bridge hovers above Leon Avenue to connect both development sites and create joint access to parking. Two large digital display boards are also proposed for the facades of the podiums.

3-tower redevelopment up to 435 ft proposed for downtown Kelowna | Urbanized

A newly submitted development permit application to the City of Kelowna outlines plans for a "big city" mixed-use redevelopment project.

dailyhive.com

 

[City Of Rain]

More..

“Towers A and B are oriented East West with a slight v-shaped deck articulation to accentuate the slender form as seen from Harvey Avenue. The translucent glass guards on the tower balconies provide a sculptural aesthetic while minimizing the visual impact of ones possessions,” reads the application.

“This proposal will be a positive contribution to our community by allowing more housing and commercial opportunities and allowing densification in an area which is within the downtown core and its associated amenities. This project is in close proximity to bike and walking trails and a viable alternative to urban sprawl and hope for a reduction in vehicular reliance. The developer would like to work with the City of Kelowna to provide a public contribution for community benefit; to help combat the housing crisis.”

Altogether, the redevelopment will create a total floor area of about 559,000 sq. ft., giving the project a floor space ratio density of over nine times the size of the combined lot area of 61,600 sq. ft.

The proponents state the taller heights match the city’s vision for the future of this zone and the surrounding areas within downtown Kelowna.

If the project is approved as proposed, the height of the tallest tower will be just four feet shorter than Kelowna’s future tallest building — the 440-ft-tall Westcorp Waterfront Hotel, located two blocks north.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/234-278-leon-avenue-1620-1630-water-street-kelowna

 

[goodcitywhenfinished]

Pretty impressive for a city the size of Kelowna, on a side note shouldn't there be a thread for Victoria developments too?

 

[City Of Rain]

^^ Indeed, Kelowna proper has half the population of Saskatoon but this project would be almost twice the height of Saskatoon's tallest building.

A thread of Victoria developments is a pretty good idea and I'm going to make one soon as well as a thread for Kamloops.

 

[City Of Rain]

Kelowna's growth requires a second Okanagan Lake bridge​

Kelowna, and the surrounding Okanagan region, is booming. This is clearly noticeable in the downtown core where several large tower projects have recently risen, with many more starting construction and proposed.

In fact, as of 2020, Kelowna has become the fourth fastest-growing urban area in Canada.

In stark contrast to this momentous growth, upgrades to critical transportation infrastructure in and around Kelowna are at a near standstill.
On the provincial level, the proposed upgrade of Highway 97 through Peachland — the last remaining single-lane stretch of highway between Penticton and Vernon — has been deferred for decades.

As for a second crossing over Okanagan Lake, also deferred for decades.

The upgrades to Boucherie Road and Westlake Road intersections are apparently trapped in a void with no significant recent update.

Opinion: Kelowna's growth requires a second Okanagan Lake bridge | Urbanized

Kelowna's transportation plan needs a second Okanagan Lake bridge, and real arterial and freeway roads to introduce rapid transit.

dailyhive.com

 

[dkazzed]

Kelowna, BC, Canada | UBCO Downtown | 45 storeys | 152m

As part of the University of British Columbia Okanagan's plans to double in size by 2040, this new building located in downtown Kelowna consists of 35,000 sq m of academic spaces on the first 10 floors and 503 student residence units on the upper 35 floors. A quarter of the units will be one and two bedroom units suitable for couples and young families. Coming in at 152.4m (500 ft) tall, this may be the tallest tower in any Canadian metropolitan area of less than 500,000 people.

This building has been approved by city council and is going to a public hearing. If all goes well, they are hoping to break ground this fall.

UBCO Downtown - UBC's Okanagan Campus

UBC Okanagan is opening a collaborative, multi-use space in downtown Kelowna. Learn more about UBCO Downtown and how it will benefit the community.

ok.ubc.ca

UBC supersizes its future tower for downtown Kelowna campus (RENDERINGS) | Urbanized

The University of British Columbia's (UBC) new downtown Kelowna campus tower will be BC's tallest building outside of the Lower Mainland.

dailyhive.com

 

[Gravity Wins]

Once this tower goes up, it's official: Kelowna is Canada's newest big city. In another 10 years it'll be like a mini-vancouver