Large BC Housing tower resubmitted for downtown

A significant BC Housing tower development has been reproposed for downtown Kelowna.

Located at 1451 Bertram Street, designs have come back to City Hall for a 20-floor tower – 17 residential floors above a three-storey parkade.

The 176-unit project will be a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The tower podium will include seven townhomes, as well as a daycare centre to accommodate 39 children.

A shorter five-floor building will abut the tower and contain two- and three-bedroom townhomes.

While this project has fewer units than the one put forward in 2021, it has more larger units geared towards accommodating families.

An outdoor fourth-floor courtyard and eighth-floor amenity space is also included in the designs.

“The site’s location to retail, commercial, civic, and transit services will provide a significant amenity to this family-orientated residential project,” the documents read.

"The vision for this project is to provide non-market family housing that will provide a residential and social benefit to enhance the city's long-term vision for downtown housing.”

The new design also includes a range of architectural and landscaping elements to retain a residential feel that fits downtown.

According to a webpage detailing the project, BC Housing anticipates a building permit could be approved in 2024, with construction getting underway in mid-2025.