Demolition of Northbridge Hotel building moving ahead: City of Kamloops

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops says demolition of the Northbridge Hotel in the Tranquille business district is coming up shortly.

The city purchased the property at 377 Tranquille Road, as well as one behind the property at 346 Campbell Avenue, in 2021. When the $7.1-million purchase was made, the Tranquille building housed 54 tenants in 51 rooms. It is also the former home of the Duchess nightclub.

In a news release, the city says it has worked for the past year to find new accommodations for the building’s tenants.

“Many tenants were rehoused with local non-profit housing providers or in market accommodation,” noted the release.

The Campbell Avenue property will be developed into affordable housing for seniors and families in conjunction with B.C. Housing.

The Tranquille site will be cleared for market redevelopment. The city says demolition of the building will take place “in early 2023.”

“The demolition of this building is positive change for this area,” said Kamloops councillor and deputy mayor Dale Bass in the release. “We look forward to realizing the development potential of this key site to bring more market housing to this neighbourhood.”

After demolition is complete, the city says it will issue a request for proposals (RFP) that will “outline specific parameters for the redevelopment to meet the community’s needs.”