Tall, skinny buildings will save views, developer asserts

Proposal for One Water Street would see city’s highest buildings built near Prospera Place downtown

Taller and slimmer is the mantra behind the proposal that could result in Kelowna’s loftiest highrises. “By going taller we can make the towers skinnier and protect views in the neighbourhood,” said North American Development Group partner Russ Watson.

“It’s a big site (2.8 acres at the corner of Water Street, Sunset Drive and Ellis Street in north downtown) that demands a big project.”

That’s why North American is proposing two condominium skyscrapers, one at 35-storeys closest to Water Street and another with 27 floors a little farther back on the site facing Sunset Drive.

Combined, the two towers would be called One Water Street to reflect its address.

Both highrises at One Water Street would be higher than Kelowna’s existing tallest building — the 26-storey Skye condo just a little farther north on Sunset Drive.

One Water Street will not be the first address-inspired project name in the area.

An adjacent under-construction 21-storey condo highrise is called 1151 Sunset.

That’s not the only similarity with the two projects.

North American Development Group has teamed up with 1151 Sunset builder, Chilliwack-based Kerkoff Construction, to put up the two towers at One Water.

It’s a case of extending Kerkoff’s momentum in the neighbourhood as 1151 Sunset is almost sold out and will be complete in the summer of 2018.

The two projects will further put Kelowna in the architectural big leagues and add to a skyline already punctuated by almost two dozen condo, office and hotel towers stretching 10 or more floors.

“This will be an iconic project, comparable to the best in Vancouver,” said Watson.

“They will be international-style glass towers designed by Kasin Architecture.”

Vancouver-based Kasin, which also has offices in Toronto and Qatar in the Middle East, has designed such projects as Surrey City Hall, Porsche Centre Vancouver, Sheraton Resort in Doha, Qatar, and an entire neighbourhood of highrise condo, office and hotel buildings with conference centre, shops and museum in Luoyang, China.

North American Development Group is based in Florida and has developed scores of shopping centres.

It opened a Toronto office to expand into Canada and has done projects like Dartmouth Crossing shopping centre in Nova Scotia and Steeles Technology Campus in Toronto.

North American is working closely with the City of Kelowna planning department to come up with a proposal befitting the large site and prime location.

That’s why two epic towers that make an impact, yet preserve views in the neighbourhood, was proposed.

The planning department likes the proposal, but One Water Street still has to pitch to city council, go to a public hearing and get final zoning, development permit and approval.

If that process goes smoothly, presales for the first-phase 200-unit 35storey tower could start in September and construction could begin in spring 2018 for fall 2020 completion.

Prices haven’t been determined yet for the homes, which will range from townhouses to studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites.

Both towers will include a three-level podium that will conceal parking.

The top of the podium will be developed with family areas, barbecue and fire-pit enclaves, sports courts and walking trails.

The ground-floor perimeter of the podium fronting Sunset Drive, Water Street and Ellis Street would be commercial space for a small grocer, butcher, pharmacy, bakery, coffee shop, restaurant and hair salon and possibly a daycare.