You won't believe what they approved downtown
Good morning from the Okanagan — the lake is calm, the vines are growing, and we have things to discuss. You know how we talk about Bernard Avenue and what kind of vibe it's got? Well, City Hall just made a move that’s going to really lean into that downtown core.
Okay but here’s the thing nobody talks about. Yesterday, council gave the green light to a new high-rise development right on the waterfront, near the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. The proposal for the "Okanagan Lookout Residences" was approved in a 6-3 vote, despite some concerns about shadow impacts on City Park Beach. This project is slated to be a 32-story mixed-use tower with 280 residential units and ground-floor retail. The developer, "Lakeshore Developments Inc.," plans to break ground by late 2025. It’s a big one, changing that skyline for sure.
Here’s why it matters:
* **Height:** At 32 stories, this is one of the tallest approved buildings in Kelowna. * **Units:** 280 new homes in the downtown core—that’s a lot, for better or worse. * **Location:** Directly impacts the waterfront and views from Okanagan Lake. * **Public Feedback:** There were 12 formal letters of opposition regarding traffic and view obstruction.
This decision pushes Kelowna further into its urban density goals for the downtown core. We’ll be watching to see how this impacts Bernard Avenue businesses and, honestly, how crowded City Park Beach feels next summer.
Nina Papadimitriou, MiTL Sports Desk, Kelowna.
My family argues about this every morning over coffee — join us at mornings.live.