Image Credit: Premier Pacific Group
April 08, 2013 - 9:00 PM
UPDATE: 6 p.m. April 8, 2013
Three times may have been the charm for the Monaco tower development before Kelowna city council today.
Councillors praised the new highrise designs proposed this afternoon for a third time. After sorting through council's previous complaints, the project was described as just what the city wants.
“They're very handsome, they're beautifully designed, and they would look fantastic on our skyline,” Coun. Luke Stack said.
Councillors twice deferred the proposed Monaco development due to building height, floor plans and spacing at St. Paul Street and Doyle Avenue. Project developer Premier Pacific Group bought neighbouring property to the north for a 32-metre separation between buildings. The last draft showed buildings only 19 metres apart.
Planner Alec Warrender says the new plans have extra "breathing space.” The developer worked with city staff to make the designs acceptable.
“If there's anywhere we want to see a major development with amenities, it is right here downtown,” Coun. Robert Hobson said.
The proposed development is scheduled for a public hearing later this month on April 23.
10:00 a.m. April 8, 2013
Kelowna's downtown skyline could be re-shaped with two new towers in the heart of the cultural district, at St. Paul Street and Doyle Avenue. The proposed highrises, initially considered too robust and tightly spaced, have been re-imagined by developer Premier Pacific Group and will get another chance to win city approval at today's council meeting.
Revised plans for the project known as the Monaco, envision two towers at 22 and 30 storeys each, spaced 32 meters apart. The buildings would house a total of 161 residential units, 128 hotel suites and 3,000 squared meters of commercial space on Doyle Avenue, a block down from the Madison building.
The city deferred the proposal last December but supports the effort to get more people living and working in downtown Kelowna. The Monaco's developer promises a family friendly environment of “live, work and play,” offering two restaurants with panoramic views of the Okanagan Valley, a $650,000 daycare facility, and a landscaped rooftop. The project also seeks to enhance the feeling of Kelowna's cultural district and would feature two new public art installations.
With plans for a new Interior Health Association building in the vicinity, the Monaco would provide residential and commercial space to accommodate the approximately 1,000 extra workers coming to downtown Kelowna.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013