Kelowna Construction

[Emtee]

SOPA construction this year

The SOPA Square project is back up and running with yesterday's announcement that the Aquilini Group has officially taken over the project.

Given the building was initially approved by the city in 2008, South Pandosy residents have long wondered if the grey shell of a empty building would ever be completed.

Vice president of Aquilini Development, Kevin Hoffman, says they hope to have sales start in a few months and construction starting by the end of the year.

“We are working on setting up a new marketing campaign right now, which we hope to launch later this Spring or early Summer,” says Hoffman. “We are also looking at the building itself now and trying to refine what was there and seeing if we can make things a little bit better.”

He says they are working with existing tenants and are optimistic about the high interest from others who would like to move their businesses into the building.

“Now that we are the owners of the building we can go ahead and work with those people to try to get the space occupied, make it a little bit more vibrant and look like it is lived in.”

He says it will take three or four months to get the showroom and sales going again and then construction start time will be based on its success.

“It will depend on how much demand there is,” says Hoffman. “But, our goal would be to start construction some time later this year. If things go really well that would be the plan.”

As for the building design, he says they are looking at all their options, but wouldn't comment on any changes that might be made.

“We are exploring that right now. We love the concept that was there, I think it just has to be refined.”

All investors that had previously purchased homes in the building had their deposits returned so Hoffman says they are starting with a clean slate.

Although Hoffman cannot talk numbers, he says the units will be priced to sell.

“I think we always do our best to price it aggressively so that we can make it a successful marketing camping, so ya it will definitely be an attractive offer in the Kelowna market."

Hofffman says there will be a range of unit offerings from 1-bedroom to 3-bedroom with different floor plan types.

“We are really excited to be in the Kelowna market again and we are happy and proud to be the new owners.”

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