Project Snapshot
Project Size: 62,605 net square feet / 5,816 net square metres academic space
Budget: $54.1 million Tenant Improvement capital costs
Status: In design
Occupancy: 2026
Project Manager: UBC Properties Trust
Project Summary
At the vanguard of the campus’ vision for the future is UBCO Downtown—a bold and dynamic presence in the heart of Kelowna, strategically positioned close to partners from across the community.
The Okanagan is a place of immense promise, and UBCO contributes to the economic, social, and cultural ambitions of the region and the city in many ways.
UBCO’s presence downtown—and especially that of our students, faculty, and staff—will further weave UBC’s excellence in research, innovation, and teaching into the diverse fabric of Kelowna and create unparalleled opportunity for all.
This project will create a presence for UBC in downtown Kelowna, building on existing activities such as the Southern Medical program campus adjacent to Kelowna General Hospital, the Innovation Library, e@ubc activities in the downtown Innovation Centre, and the partnership with the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The intent is for community-facing programs and activities to be located in the city centre, with proximity to the burgeoning technology, culture, and health precinct, in accordance with the agreement between the City of Kelowna and UBC with respect to the disposition of a portion of the UBCO west campus lands.
UBC intends to enter into a lease agreement for academic space within a multi-partner development. The joint venture development with UBC Properties Trust (UBCPT) and a local developer comprises two residential towers, an office tower, and tenant lease space. UBC will occupy a portion of the leasable space in the institutional levels of the project. Details of the plan are at an early phase.
Learn more
UBC Okanagan: UBCO Downtown
UBC Okanagan News: UBC Okanagan is expanding to downtown Kelowna