The Bluff on WFN land could rival Tolko mill site as next huge development

There's been lots of talk in the past four years about the redevelopment of the Tolko mill site on Kelowna’s waterfront since the mill was shuttered.

Two weeks ago, concepts for that 40-acre site were finally released with a vision of 3,500 homes and 225,000 square feet of office/retail/commercial space.

READ MORE: Long-awaited plan for Kelowna Tolko site includes 3,500 homes, parks, waterfront walkway

Over the past year, much more quietly, plans were being drafted to develop another 40-acre site near Okanagan Lake with, arguably, even better views.

It’s being called The Bluff and sits on Westbank First Nation land just north of the Bennett bridge.

“It is an exciting new master planned community focused on living, working and playing, all within a short walk,” Ryan Jones, a partner with Gatehouse Design and Development, said in an email to iNFOnews.ca. “Our focus is pedestrian orientated, ecological sustainability and celebrate and honour the indigenous heritage.”

He didn’t want to say any more until the project is further along in the approval process.

The First Nation has been working with the developer for the past eight to 10 months on a neighbourhood plan, Graeme Dimmick, manager of planning and development for Westbank First Nation, told iNFOnews.ca.

Initially there were about 1,500 homes envisioned, along commercial spaces in a mixed use development, he said.

“We’ve seen a change with the City of West Kelowna where their new Official Community Plan is proposing significantly higher buildings than we’ve seen on the Westside,” Dimmick said. “I think it was up to 20 storeys. While we have this neighbourhood plan underway, it could evolve into higher density. I think that’s what the developers are looking for.”

The neighbourhood plan is similar to what other local governments do with large tracts of land, like the Tolko site, he said.

The Gatehouse Design and Development website shows the company has a number of other projects, mostly in the Lower Mainland

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