City staff are recommending Kelowna City Council give approval of a 26 storey downtown tower on Tuesday.
The building, known as the Brooklyn, would be built on Saint Paul Street, north of Bernard Avenue and has already been re-zoned so the 178 units can be used for both long and short term residences.
Council still needs to approve a height increase from the originally proposed 19 storeys, to 26. That would be 7 storeys, or 17 metres, higher than original designs had intended.
The taller the building, the more of an effect it will have on the Kelowna skyline. A report submitted by City Staff seeks to calm any fears:
“The proposed design for the top of the tower contributes positively to Kelowna’s skyline with a unique top three floor design that provides an architectural break and visual interest to the top of the tower. The City’s main design objective is to avoid towers that appear ‘chopped off’, have flat roofs and do not have adequate articulation. The ‘Brooklyn’ does this well by providing a rooftop area designed for common amenity space and a landscaped roof. This will increase the functionality and visual interest of the top of the tower when viewing it from street level and provide more livable outdoor space to the residents of the building.”
City staff are recommending the tower be approved. The developer, Mission Group, plans to start selling units within weeks and construction must begin before December 5, 2019.
Tuesday's council meeting is open for residents to speak for, or against the proposal.
