A Kamloops developer is hoping to change the look of the North Shore riverfront by building two new condo buildings.
Joshua Knaak with Arpa Investments says they’ve spent the last two years designing the Thompson Landing development at 207, 209 and 215 Royal Avenue.
“It is a 64-unit development of condos on the riverfront. All of them are oriented to face the river as much as possible,” he said. “It is two buildings – one four storey and one five storey – with a courtyard in the middle. It should be a real beautiful amenity to really capitalize on the riverfront and the amenities in that area there.”
There will also be 88 underground parking stalls as part of the development.
Knaak told NL News he thinks the North Shore riverfront is not being used to its full potential, noting the proposed location for this development currently has a single family house and “about eight garages” on a little over an acre of land.
“I think the North Shore particularly has one of the most underutilized riverfronts in Kamloops. We’d love to see development all along the riverfront and we’re hoping this can be a key bookend,” he added, noting there should be too many impacts to traffic given the proximity to the Tranquille corridor.
“[This development] has access to the river, no train tracks, incredible views, and its easy walking distance to so many different things. It is also close to transit, and close to many parks and the Rivers Trail. It is a great location.”
Knaak notes the Thompson Landing development proposal is set to go before council in the next month or so. It will also require a public hearing to rezone the property from single family to multi-family.
Construction could begin in the summer, if all goes well, with an estimated completion in fall next year.
“This development fits in the North Shore plan for multi-family development in this area. It also fits in with KAMPLAN so we are optimistic that it will be a good development.”
There are two community consultation sessions scheduled later this month. An in-person session will be held on Jan. 23 at Red Beard Café with an online session set for Jan. 24.
Arpa Investments is behind a couple of significant projects on the North Shore, including The Station on Tranquille and The Colours on Spirit Square.
For more on the Thompson Landing project, go here.