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TOWER TROUBLES SOPA Square concerns being raised again
The damage to the SOPA Square development where tiles and debris fell off the outside of the building. (Mackenzie Britton - Capital News) By Mackenzie Britton and Kathy Michaels
The troubled SOPA Square building on Pandosy Street has suffered another setback. This time concerns are being raised about debris falling off the building and crashing down onto the street below. Kelowna City Hall started to receive calls Tuesday about tiles falling off parts of the building, which is owned by the Aquilini Group. The falling tiles generated safety concerns for drivers, pedestrians and nearby businesses in the Mission shopping district. “We were informed that tiles were coming off the face of the building, and we contacted the Aquilini Group to tell them what’s expected for the next steps,” said City of Kelowna chief building official Doug Patan.
“The failure of the tile is a cosmetic issue, and it’s up to the Aquilinis to get it fixed. If it was city property, we would take a stronger stance, but its an issue we will make sure the Aquilinis take care of.” Businesses in the area noticed the falling debris and certain parts of the sidewalk blocked off with cones and tape. “I called my landlord concerned when I noticed,” said Glenn Smith, general manager of The Canadian Brewhouse & Grill. “They said they were aware and they were taking care of it.” Just down the block from the Brewhouse, Tailored Shave barber shop manager Shantel noticed the blocked off areas, but had not received any update on the situation. “It’s concerning for the building, and the safety of customers
and the community in this area,” Shantel said. Patan said that the City of Kelowna is keeping an eye on the needed fixes to the SOPA building, and fully expect the repairs to be made. The building has a long and troubled history. The Aquilini group and Ernst and Young, entered into an agreement in 2014 that saw the Aquilinis acquire SOPA Square for $29.5 million. At that time, only two floors were completed in what was supposed to be a deluxe hirise building. It soon became clear that it wasn’t what was expected. SOPA Square was first approved for construction by the city in 2008. It was to have 48 townhouse units and 51 condominiums, as well as 40,000-square-feet of commercial and retail space on the ground
level and 14,000-square-feet of office space on the second floor. The planned mixed-use development was once touted as a potential anchor for the South Pandosy commercial area. The original cost was estimated at $70 million. Troubles for the original developer started early and there was a lengthy delay in starting work on the project. Then safety concerns about one of the cranes on the site shut down construction for a period of time. The original developer ran out of money before the project was complete and it sat idle for a time but was revived when a second developer took over. That developer, however, also quit the project leading to Ernst and Young stepping in to find a buyer. After the Aquilini Group take over, the project was completed.
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