UBCO has resumed construction on its downtown tower campus. Hadgraft Wilson Place can be seen in the background of this photo from June, 2, 2024.

(JESSE TOMAS / iNFOnews.ca)

Nearly a year after the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s ambitious downtown tower project forced people from their homes, the university is still in court and engaging the real estate market at the same time.

The 43-storey UBCO tower is still under construction but the university and its subsidiary UBC Properties Trust is getting ready to lease retail space in the tower.

William Wright Commercial is "engaging the market" about leasing the 4,435 square-foot retail space in the tower ahead of the project’s completion scheduled for 2027.

This announcement comes as UBC Properties Trust and the City of Kelowna are still in court over the debacle that left dozens of people without a home last year.

The initial plan for the tower included a four-storey underground parking garage but soil settling problems damaged several surrounding buildings including a new apartment building geared towards folks with fixed incomes and disabilities called Hadgraft Wilson Place.

The 84 residents of Hadgraft Wilson Place were evacuated from their apartments in April 2024 and launched class-action lawsuits against UBC Properties Trust, one of which includes the City of Kelowna, alleging the university’s subsidiary failed to take reasonable steps when concerns were raised about the structural integrity of the building.

“It's almost like we've been forgotten, but I do want them to know that we're still out there," resident Monique Saebels previously told iNFOnews.ca. “We're just frustrated because, you know, I've contacted every government official right up to Justin Trudeau, Minister of Housing, and I just get these generic letters, and it's disheartening.”

READ MORE: Long legal battle ahead for Kelowna residents displaced by UBCO downtown highrise

The lawsuits could take years to play out in court.

“The defendants… knew or ought to have known that the shoring wall that was part of UBCO Development construction site was unstable and the excavation and construction work on the lands posed a danger to adjacent properties,” one suit claims. “However, they failed to stop construction and excavation activities on the Lands or warn the plaintiffs and Class members of the resultant damage and the dangerous conditions to the surrounding properties.”

Jeff Brown from William Wright Commercial said UBC Properties Trust has not yet decided how to rent out the office space when the building is finished. Brown declined to comment further. 

The building will have more than 500 student rental suites, and 20,920 square-feet of office space, along with the school facilities.

In the real estate announcement, UBCO included a video talking about how public space in the tower will help “engage with people in the Okanagan.”

William Wright Commercial is attending the International Council of Shopping Centers in Whistler on Jan. 26 to 28 to meet with people who are interested in renting out the retail space.

UBCO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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