A listed Kelowna property that used to be a well-known brothel can have a new life – likely a healthier one – thanks to a contract between the City of Kelowna and a developer.
The two parties have signed a development agreement to convert the city-owned Surtees property, currently a large red barn and boarded-up house in Kelowna’s Mission District, into commercial space.
“When we bought the property in 2002, it came with the historic buildings and it has always been on our radar to preserve them. We just haven’t had the means in the past,” said John Saufferer, Kelowna City Real Estate Manager, told Radio West presenter Josh Pagé.
In the early 1900s, the house on the property was a brothel: the Ritz Cafe. Between 1915 and 2002 it also served as an aristocratic dairy, artists’ colony and home.
Under the 75-year lease, developer Worman Commercial pays $ 200,000 a year and restores the barn and homestead. Part of the rest of the property is used by the city as a starting point.
But Worman is allowed to inspect the property so the deal isn’t final. Saufferer says it will take a lot of work, and it’s possible the deal doesn’t make sense to Worman from a business perspective.
“However, we are now very optimistic that we have a possible solution that will bring life and animation to the site,” he said.
Saufferer says if the deal doesn’t work out, it will likely be up to taxpayers to maintain the abandoned building, but no money is earmarked for that. “Given the condition of the buildings, no one can imagine how long they will last.”
With files from CBC Radio One’s Radio West
This house on the Surtees property doesn’t look like much, but it has lived a colorful life. (Google Street View)
To hear the full story, click the audio that says: Kelowna Heritage Buildings, including the former brothel, could be reused
