After 15 years, Westcorp Developments has finally been given the final go-ahead from council to begin detailed design work on a 24-storey hotel and conference centre at the site of the old Willow Inn downtown.
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August 27, 2014 - 9:58 AM
KELOWNA – After 15 years, Westcorp Developments has finally been given the final go-ahead from council to begin detailed design work on a 24-storey hotel and conference centre at the site of the old Willow Inn downtown.
Councillors voted unanimously Tuesday night to allow the developer to exceed the city’s maximum height of 19 storeys. The hotel would include more than 200 rooms, a conference centre, retail stores and a restaurant.
In a form submitted by Westcorp, the author writes, “the proposed hotel represents one of the final pieces of the puzzle in revitalization of the downtown waterfront.
"The iconic hotel will provide a key connection point along the waterfront – from the wetlands of Brandt’s Creek in the north to City Park on the south. This project will also be a significant catalyst for further development in Kelowna’s downtown. The site provides the perfect location to achieve a vibrant downtown waterfront hotel, a use that is highly desirable in the downtown core and with limited opportunities in Kelowna to enjoy a meal while viewing the lake, the new hospitality uses will be welcomed by both residents and visitors.”
The $65 million project plans to break ground in the middle of next year with a projected completion date in 2017.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014