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Penticton taking over from Kelowna as Okanagan real estate hotspot

91ƵPenticton has all the amenities of a larger centre but with a small town feel91Ƶ
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City of Penticton. (Phil McLachlan/Western News file)

This is part one of a two part series.

According to those in the know, Penticton is quickly becoming the next major investment hub in the Okanagan.

Western Investor magazine ranks the city at number four on its list of five top towns for real estate investors in 2023, and an article by Vancouver real estate firm Maude, MacKay and Co. calls the region a property 91Ƶhotspot.91Ƶ

Both entities point to Penticton91Ƶs location and growing housing and economic opportunities as just some of the reasons to invest in the South Okanagan community.

91ƵWe91Ƶve been seeing, really for the last two years, that Penticton is our favourite market in the valley,91Ƶ says Shane Styles, president of Kelowna-based Epic Real Estate Solutions.

A recent call from a Vancouver client, who vacationed in Penticton as a child and was looking for property opportunities, confirmed to Styles that the area is on many investors91Ƶ radar.

91ƵI tell you, I can mix and repeat that story a hundred times. Penticton has all the amenities of a larger centre but with a small town feel. Demand drives interest.91Ƶ

One of the areas that interests Styles, in particular, is the North Gateway Plan in the northwest corner of the city. Penticton has invested more than $200 million to create the South Okanagan Events Centre Campus which features an aquatic centre, ice rink, convention centre, casino and curling club. There is also the future opportunity for two new NHL-sized rinks next to the convention centre.

On the housing side, the city91Ƶs plan is to increase the density that currently exists, around 300 residential units, up to 2,200 new units.

91ƵBuy where the demand is going to be the greatest in the future,91Ƶ adds Styles. 91ƵWhere a city is putting recreation and entertainment amenities, parks, beaches and active transportation corridors.91Ƶ

He illustrates his point by referencing Kelowna91Ƶs investment along the Abbott Street corridor.

91ƵAnybody who purchased in or along Abbott in advance of the city adding new beaches, and a large recreational corridor, they have all benefited from that because it draws people to that area. The North Gateway Plan will be the same experience in Penticton.91Ƶ

Styles says the opportunities in Penticton are drawing many, generally younger people.

91ƵNew people are coming from bigger cities because Penticton has all the assets of a larger urban centre, but they can get their foot in the door.91Ƶ

He also points out that it91Ƶs just a great city to be in.

91ƵIt punches above its weight for a small community with entertainment, an events centre, lakes, wineries and brewpubs. There is a whole food, wine and culinary culture in Penticton that I think is unique to the entire valley.91Ƶ

Styles adds that Penticton does remind him of what Kelowna was like eight to 10 years ago.

91ƵIt91Ƶs not going to be Kelowna. It91Ƶs always going to have its own feel, flair and flavour. It91Ƶs a market that91Ƶs forecast to be one of the fastest growing in the valley. There are a lot of eyeballs on Penticton.91Ƶ



gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com

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About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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