Downtown Kelowna continues to go vertical with 46-storey tower proposal

Jan 22 2021, 11:40 pm

Another major tower redevelopment has been proposed for downtown Kelowna, and this latest project includes a sizeable infusion of rental housing.

New Town Architecture has submitted a rezoning application to the City of Kelowna for 1464-1476 Bertram Street.

The site is currently occupied by three single-family homes. It is near the northwest corner of the intersection of Bertram Street and Bernard Avenue, and just one block south of the University of British Columbia’s future multi-tower campus in downtown with academic and office spaces, and student housing.

This proposal, like other tower projects in the area, aligns with the municipal government’s revitalization plan of densifying much of its city centre with towers and a mix of uses. If approved, it will complete the fourth quarter of the existing development planned for the Bertram Block.

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Site of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (Google Maps)

Existing condition:

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Site of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (Google Maps)

Future condition:

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

The rezoning application for “2020,” the name of this particular project, calls for a 461-ft-tall (140.2 metres) tower with 46 storeys under the city’s new rental-only category of the downtown C7 land use zone.

The first 10 storeys above the parkade podium levels will contain 70 secured purpose-built market rental homes, while the upper 30 storeys will be condominiums, including a considerable amount of three-bedroom units — a total of 54 large family-sized units.

There will be a total of 276 homes in the tower, including 68 studios, 60 one-bedroom units, 58 two-bedroom units, 54 three-bedroom units, and 36 co-living units.

“These co-living homes have independent bed/sitting rooms with a private bath along with common living and dining/kitchen as interactive spaces,” reads the application, describing co-living as a growing concept in Canada to offer more affordable housing options.

“This type of housing is attractive to students, seniors, and other like-minded friends that choose to live together as an affordable and desirable housing option. The co-living housing option can also offer opportunities for the not-for-profit housing providers to participate in downtown highrise living.”

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

Shared amenities for all residents — totalling 15,000 sq. ft. — are located on the fifth level podium rooftop, where there is an indoor amenity space and a large landscaped outdoor space, as well as a large outdoor amenity space on the tower rooftop with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

The fifth level podium rooftop also includes a 2,100 sq. ft. childcare facility attached to an outdoor play space. This facility will have a capacity for up to 50 children.

At the ground level, 9,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space will help activate the building’s frontage with Bertram Street.

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

“2020 is an approach to downtown living that has not been available previously. The difference is the target market includes the ‘Missing Middle’ as well as our most modest income members of our City,” continues the application.

“The time has come for Kelowna to take an inclusive step forward into modern paradigm of housing for all. 2020 offers living that achieves many of the environmental, economic, and cultural objectives put forward in the OCP and the Healthy Housing Strategy. This project will be a leader in community building design and will contribute dramatically to the vibrancy of downtown.”

Instead of costly underground parking, four levels within all of the podium levels will contain 270 vehicle parking stalls and 473 bike parking spaces.

The total floor area is 239,202 sq. ft. for a floor space ratio density of 8.88 times the size of the 26,581 sq. ft. lot.

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

1464-1476 Bertram Street Kelowna

Artistic rendering of the “2020” tower at 1464-1476 Bertram Street, Kelowna. (New Town Architecture)

Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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