Photo: Kelowna Tourism
The Uptown Rutland Business Association’s mural project draws visitors to the neighborhood.
Let’s call it the Rutland Renaissance.
Overall, Kelowna continues to grow and that means all parts of the city are expanding. It is happening in Rutland as it is in other parts of the city, and companies are definitely taking note of it.
Jaide and Joels Baking Company were looking for a new home last year after renting a commercial kitchen in the Pandosy neighborhood for three years. They examined the city center, but the lack of pedestrian traffic in the winter months and the enormous cost convinced them to keep looking.
In the meantime, they kept seeing a spot on the corner of Leathead Road and Rutland Road North. When they saw the neighborhood was pretty full, they moved to the place last October.
“We are very happy with our location,” says Jaide Hatfield. “We have so many people driving by. Most of our customers actually live in Rutland, like 80 percent, which is fantastic. A lot of people pass by every day. A lot of people drive by every day.
“It’s not really a place you go. It’s kind of like a drive home for most of the people. “
That foot traffic will increase with Sole Rutland, a 70-unit Edgecombe Builders Group condominium project currently under construction by Jaide and Joel’s Baking Company. While downtown Kelowna is busy in the summer, Rutland is transforming into a community that is always on the go all year round.
“We’re super excited,” says Hatfield. “A big part of the reasons we chose our location was because we saw Sole develop across the board, which was very exciting. A great place to live.
“As a company, the more people know that we are here, the better and definitely more living space is good. We are very happy that it is increasing. “
Photo: Contributed
Sole Rutland is scheduled to be completed this year.
Bikramjit Singh owns and operates Tossing Pizzeria in the same building as Jaide and Joels Baking Company. He has noticed that the diversity in the neighborhood is increasing.
“There are a lot more international students heading to Canada. It’s getting busier. When someone comes here, they try to settle here after graduation, ”says Singh, who moved to Kelowna from Prince George and plans to buy a house in Rutland soon.
“It’s getting busier here because of the community. There are different types of communities here, such as the Sikhs and the Muslims. That is the main reason for the expansion and the weather. The weather here in the Okanagan is beautiful. “
The completion of Sole Rutland is planned for the end of this year. There will be one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes starting at $ 259,900. There will be three commercial spaces at street level and a spacious lounge on the second floor with a large terrace.
“I run my Unique Contracting renovation and finishing company out of Rutland and I am very excited about the recent growth in this community,” said Ryan Webb, who has lived in Rutland for 19 years. “I live a few blocks from the new Sole building that is under construction. It’s nice to finally see new condos in the neighborhood. With property prices in Rutland and Kelowna generally rising, this is a great opportunity for people who want to buy their first home.
“Rutland has many older neighborhoods and I look forward to revitalizing this area.”
Sole Rutland’s sales center is located at 615 Rutland Rd. N. and appointments can be made by clicking here.
This article was written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
