The City of Penticton has seen a surge of construction in the first quarter of 2024. This promising trend is projected to continue, with recent changes supported by Council to the City’s Official Community Plan and Zoning bylaw. Scroll down for a sneak peak of what's to come.
Many projects that were previously in the ‘evaluation’ stage are proceeding to construction, helping to bring much-needed housing supply and additional employment opportunities to Penticton. Expect projects from across the spectrum – from commercial and industrial builds to residential housing – to be under construction soon.
Housing Needs
The City recently completed a Housing Needs Assessment, released in July 2023, which showed that between 2016 and 2021, Penticton’s annual growth rate was high, at 1.9%. If this trend continues, the City will have 20,000 additional residents by 2046, putting the population above 56,000. To meet this population projection, the City will need to add 240-380 new residential units every year.
What's Coming?
Building permits representing more than $82 million in construction value were issued over the first four months of 2024. This includes notable projects such as Sokana (270 Riverside Drive) and Westmin 795 by Cantiro (795 Westminster Avenue) in the North Gateway, plus two new daycare centres (at Wiltse and Uplands Elementary schools) getting underway and the Industrial redevelopment of 2324 Government Street by the Snflwr Group.
City Council, through the first nine meetings of the year, also approved development permits representing 153 new housing units including two new apartment buildings (Front Street and Rigsby Street), one downtown mixed-use building (Ellis Street) and several infill projects.
The approximate existing and future house numbers include:
- 460 residential units under construction
- 1,402 residential units approved
- 2,070 units in the development application process
In addition to these, two new office buildings are currently under construction in the downtown and a new commercial strip development is under construction in the south end of the city.
These are some of the new housing developments being built or planned right now.
North Gateway Construction
The North Gateway area is located at the north-west corner of the city, being the first point of entry to the from the north. This redevelopment strategy plans for boutique shops, wide multi-use paths, tree-lined streets, a variety of housing types, hotels and entertainment and recreation amenities.
Sokana (270 Riverside Drive): The first phase of this riverside residential community is well underway. Once complete, it will bring 96 residential units to the North Gateway.
Westmin 795 by Cantiro (795 Westminster Avenue): Collection of 22 townhomes on the site of the former Villa Rosa Ristorante and only a couple blocks away from Okanagan Lake. The project also features a commercial unit for a commercial venture.
650 Eckhardt Avenue: A 70-unit apartment building is being constructed near Fairfield Inn and Suites and walking distance to the South Okanagan Events Centre and Community Centre. This development also features ground-floor commercial units that will provide opportunities for small-scale retail in a strategic location.
Skaha Lake Towers - 3362 Skaha Lake Rd -Phase 3: Nearing completion. The last phase of the Skaha Lake Towers will stand at 14 storeys and is set to add another 88 residential units to Penticton’s housing supply.
302 Eckhardt Avenue (former Bogners Restaurant): Taking shape to become the Remax and Sun Life building.
Downtown Projects Approved
M’akola Housing project (603 Main Street): Went through rezoning approval in 2022 to allow for a 5-storey apartment building. When complete, this BC Housing-approved project will be the tallest building on Main Street and bring 28 units of affordable housing for families. The building also features ground-floor office uses, which will be used as Makola’s Okanagan base of operations.
Former Slack Alice site (123 Front Street): A development permit has been approved for a 48-unit, 5-storey apartment building with commercial space at street level. The lot has been empty since Slack Alice’s burned down in 2012.
Other Construction
960 Railway Road: The Canadian Tire store will be undergoing a major expansion. The retail giant intends on increasing the size of its Penticton location, with 5,487 square metres of additional space and more than 100 new parking spots included in the plans.
495 Van Horne Street: An accounting office building is going up.
352 Winnipeg Street: The former Victory Church will be built for office space, a gymnastics studio and storage units.
702 Main Street: The former 24/7 convenience store is getting a makeover.
Skaha Lake Road: Construction of a Starbucks with a drive-thru.
206 Marina Way: The Beach House development will see this vacant waterfront lot transformed into 29, high-amenity, well-appointed townhomes.
Uplands and Wiltse Elementary school daycare centres: Two new daycare centres are currently under construction and will join the newly completed daycare centre at Columbia Elementary as a new approach to pre-elementary school education in the community.
Many Projects in the Beginning Stages
The Innovation District - 1704 Government Street: Penticton’s largest housing plan is a mixed use, 1,000+ residential unit community, with construction of Phase 1 anticipated to begin later this year.
Former El Rancho Motor Inn - 877 Westminster Avenue: Proposed to be redeveloped to include 300 units of strata rental with some ground floor commercial space.
372 Martin Street: A 72-unit rental apartment building is in for development permit approval and will be before Council soon. Located at the corner of Martin Street and Wade, this site is right in the heart of downtown.
Penticton is Growing
To view a larger version of this graphic below, visit our Penticton is Growing page.
Have questions? Contact us! Email communications@penticton.ca