First major Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation project, delivered through BC Builds, completes Council’s vision for Tranquille Corridor property.
The City of Kamloops, in partnership with the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation and the Province, through BC Builds at BC Housing, is celebrating the advancement of a new attainable housing project at 377 Tranquille Road.
The project marks a significant step forward in revitalizing the Tranquille Corridor, expanding housing options for middle-income residents, and launching the first major initiative of the newly established Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation to deliver community-focused housing solutions. It also realizes a vision that prompted City Council to make a bold, strategic land purchase in 2021, demonstrating how early, intentional action can lead to long-term results.
The 2021 land purchase included both 377 Tranquille Road and 346 Campbell Avenue, with an advance partnership agreement in place with BC Housing for its purchase of the Campbell Avenue property. At the time of purchase, the site included a former hotel and nightclub operating as 55 units of long-term single-room occupancy housing. The building had significant maintenance, management, health safety issues, and social issues. The adjacent vacant retail building most recently operated as a cold beer and wine store.
By acquiring this key site, City Council ensured the land could be guided toward long-term community benefit, rather than continuing to operate in this fashion under new ownership or speculative redevelopment. The intent of the purchase has always been to enable new market and attainable rental housing that supports neighbourhood revitalization and aligns with long-range City planning.
Through a partnership with the Province, through BC Housing and the ASK Wellness Society, 346 Campbell Avenue has been developed into 80 affordable housing units for families and seniors with low-to-moderate incomes.
Construction has also officially begun at the prominent former Northbridge Hotel site at 377 Tranquille Road. This development represents the first major project undertaken by the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation, established to help provide and protect attainable housing in Kamloops.
Once complete, the mixed-use building at 377 Tranquille Road will include 85 purpose-built rental units within six storeys, offering a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three bedroom homes that support a wide range of household needs. The building will also feature ground-floor commercial space, contributing to a more vibrant, walkable Tranquille Corridor. In alignment with BC Builds requirements, 20% of the units (17 units) will be rented at 20% below market rates for at least 35 years. With a development budget of approximately $29.2 million, the project is expected to contribute to ongoing economic activity in the region. Anticipated occupancy is slated for fall 2027.
This transformative project is being delivered by the Province, through BC Builds at BC Housing program, which pairs landowners with developers and provides below-market financing and grants to accelerate home construction. Arpa Investments was selected as the developer after a competitive review process. The City-owned land will be leased to the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation, ensuring long-term community benefit and stewardship.
Once both projects are complete, this site will be home to 165 units of attainable rental homes that better reflect local needs and incomes, support ongoing North Shore revitalization, and demonstrate the City’s long-term commitment to ensuring public land continues to provide lasting value for the community.
“City Council is proud to have been a part of advancing the vision for this key North Shore property by partnering with BC Housing and ASK Wellness on the back lot, endorsing the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation, and advocating for attainable housing through BC Builds. This investment delivers much-needed affordable and market rentals and aligns with the emerging Tranquille Market Corridor vision as part of the North Shore Neighbourhood Plan,” said Deputy Mayor Katie Neustaeter.
Left to Right: Councillor Nancy Bepple, Councillor Bill Sarai, Councillor Katie Neustaeter, Councillor Stephen Karpuk, Councillor Mike O’Reilly
“People need access to more homes that fit their needs and budgets,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These new homes in Kamloops give residents more choices so they can stay in the community they’ve built their lives in. Expanded housing options in Kamloops are a result of strong partnerships that will support the diverse and growing needs of people in the community.”
“Seeing this site move into active construction marks a meaningful step toward strengthening housing stability in Kamloops. This project reflects years of planning, collaboration, and a commitment to ensuring attainable housing remains a cornerstone of our city’s future,” said Colin O’Leary, Board Chair, Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation. “With support through the BC Builds program, we can deliver homes that better match the incomes of local residents while contributing to the long-term revitalization of the North Shore.”
Momentum continues to grow along the Tranquille Corridor, where multiple new housing projects are under construction, contributing to renewed economic and community vibrancy. The former Northbridge Hotel site development stands as a flagship example of how strategic partnerships between the City, the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation, BC Housing, and non-profit and private-sector partners can bring meaningful, lasting benefit to residents.
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Backgrounder: 377 Tranquille Road | From Strategic Site Acquisition to Community Housing
In 2021, Kamloops City Council authorized the purchase of the former Northbridge Hotel property at 377 Tranquille Road, along with a nearby parcel at 346 Campbell Avenue, as a deliberate and strategic investment in the future of the North Shore.
Why City Council Acted
City Council identified the Tranquille Corridor as one of Kamloops’ most important redevelopment areas through the North Shore Neighbourhood Plan—envisioned as a walkable, mixed use, transit oriented main street and economic hub. At the same time, Kamloops was experiencing a growing shortage of rental housing.
By acquiring a key site along this corridor, City Council ensured the land could be guided toward long term community benefit, rather than left to piecemeal or speculative redevelopment. The intent from the outset was to enable new market and attainable rental housing that supports neighbourhood revitalization and aligns with long range City planning.
Laying the Groundwork for Redevelopment
At the time of purchase, the former Northbridge Hotel building presented significant challenges, including age, hazardous materials, and increasing safety and liability concerns. In 2023, City Council approved the demolition of the structure to remove those risks and prepare the site for redevelopment.
Demolition and site remediation were carefully managed to protect public safety and minimize neighbourhood impacts while positioning the property to attract high quality redevelopment.
From City Ownership to Community Stewardship
Following site preparation, the City advanced a long term approach that preserves public benefit: leasing City owned land to the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation. This model ensures the land remains under community stewardship while enabling development that responds to local housing needs.
Through the BC Builds program, which pairs landowners with developers and provides grants and below market financing, the City and Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation partnered with a private developer to deliver a project that balances financial viability with long term affordability and design goals.
What This Project Delivers
The development at 377 Tranquille Road will include:
- 85 purpose-built rental homes across six storeys
- a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three bedroom homes that support a wide range of household needs
- 20% of homes secured at below market rents for at least 35 years
- ground floor commercial space contributing to a more vibrant Tranquille Corridor
Construction is now underway, with occupancy anticipated in November 2027.
Lasting Community Benefit
What began as a strategic land purchase is now becoming a tangible housing project—demonstrating how early, deliberate City Council action can translate into long term outcomes.
Key benefits include:
- permanent community stewardship of a high value site
- new rental housing better aligned with local incomes
- momentum for North Shore revitalization
- a model the City can build on for future housing partnerships
This project reflects a long term commitment to thoughtfully shaping growth, addressing housing needs and ensuring public land delivers lasting value for the community.
