Kelowna

Established 1905 Population: 600 - Population 2021: 150,0000

To describe the neighbourhoods of Kelowna, it’s important to understand the history of how the Okanagan’s largest city has grown and spread within its boundaries in its 116-year history.

The Bregolisse family has stories that are part of the history that shaped the town. "I love the stories my late father-in-law, Art Bregolisse, used to tell me about growing up in Kelowna," Doris says. "His father, also Art, owned the ABC Market at the northeast corner of Bernard Avenue and Gordon Drive. Back in the 1940’s the location was outside city limits, if you can imagine! But what that meant to the family was that their store could open on Sundays because it wasn’t subject to local bylaws that forbade business on that day of the week." To consider the old ABC Market location, which is now a high-rise condo building, outside of city limits today would make anyone laugh, as it's close enough to be considered part of downtown Kelowna!

Even within Kelowna city limits in the early days, most properties were farms, reflecting the agricultural history that helped attract new residents and eventually gave way to neighbourhoods. Many older neighbourhoods still have original homes that reflect the needs of residents and families during the era they were built, especially those that were constructed during the building boom following the Second World War.

  • Vancouver-style 1950’s bungalow homes (walk-up ranchers with basements) around the downtown core, north-end toward Knox Mountain and Abbott Street neighbourhood have been augmented with carriage homes built off alleyways, and how more recently been replaced with modern large dwellings, multi-family homes and condos. The City of Kelowna is endeavouring to create more neighbourhoods that rely less on cars in the downtown core.
  • The Abbott Street corridor is a mix of new and mature homes, many of which are large and luxurious, especially those located on the shores of Okanagan Lake.
  • The Glenmore Valley includes mature neighbourhoods filled with tremendous trees and newer neighbourhoods that have been converted from historic farms. featuring well-managed green spaces. Wilden, Highpointe and Dilworth Mountain communities can be found here.
  • The Rutland neighbourhood has evolved into a bustling community with amenities that suit families and seniors and continues to support agricultural endeavours. Black Mountain and Kirchner Mountain are in this part of the community and continue to be a source of new home construction. The Mackenzie Bench offers wide views of the city all the way to the lake.
  • The University District near the campus of UBC Okanagan continues to expand with all types of housing to support needs for families, students and seniors. To the north of UBC Okanagan, you’ll find the golf course community of Quail Ridge and the Kelowna International Airport.
  • East Kelowna continues to support a vast amount of agriculture within the city, while estate properties are nestled among the rural roads. The Belgo and Gallagher’s Canyon communities area is in this neighbourhood as well.
  • The Pandosy Village area of Kelowna, just two blocks from Okanagan Lake, continues to expand upward with new commercial possibilities at the street level and living spaces above that complement urban living choices.
  • The Lower Mission neighbourhood is where you will find a mix of residential homes and condos, with farms and wineries occupying ALR (Agriculture Land Reserve designated properties). The quick access to the shores and beaches of Okanagan Lake are favoured by residents who enjoy the area.
  • The Upper Mission and South Slopes neighbourhoods of Kelowna have seen new construction at a steady rate, while mature homes surround them. Many of these properties have spectacular views of the lake, mountains and city from their heights. Kettle Valley and Crawford Estates can be found in this area.