An exciting new office building development at 580 Victoria promises to revitalize the downtown core by attracting new businesses and creating jobs.
The six-storey building will join NHG’s successful holdings nearby, including Hotel 540 and a commercial space at 560 Victoria, now to be occupied by KPMG, giving NHG the catalyst to create a network of complementary services.
“We own a square block in Kamloops, which is a rare opportunity – allowing us to plan for the future in the way that complements our hotel and this great new office building,” said Bryan Pilbeam, vice-president and general manager of NHG.
Certainly sharing amenities and management will create synergies and provide employers and employees of the new office building a richer and more dynamic experience.
Filling a gap in Kamloops
580 Victoria will be targeted at the upscale professional market in Kamloops, providing a much-needed new level in the city’s expanding knowledge-based business sectors, Pilbeam said.
The office spaces will likely appeal to progressive businesses looking to grow and attract new employees, but it is also expected to bring in new players that have wanted to come to Kamloops but couldn’t find the appropriate office space for their businesses. Without any other office spaces like this available, Kamloops has been missing out on an opportunity to expand economically.
580 Victoria will likely be a good fit for companies in various industries including technology, financial services, law firms, consulting and more.
“We’re planning on orchestrating a hub,” said Pilbeam, “with organizations that want to be around like-minded companies.”
The building will particularly appeal to companies wanting a modern, employee-focused office experience, something that isn’t currently found in Kamloops. “Since our announcement of KPMG moving to 560 Victoria, we have gained a steady flow of interest in the revitalization of Kamloops downtown core”, says Mark Trepp, senior vice-president at Jones Lang LaSalle representing 580 Victoria Street, “the demand for a building with natural lighting, improved air quality, amenities and accessibility has been evident in Kamloops for a while.”
Striking the right balance
Two key features of 580 Victoria will be its environmentally friendly design and focus on a positive employee experience.
“The overwhelming feedback is that companies must have great space for their employees to work in,” said Pilbeam. “You’re ultimately only as good as your employees.”
That employee-first mindset will mean a first-rate space, including large, expansive floor plates that aren’t available in Kamloops today, floor-to-ceiling windows to let in natural light, a mountain outlook, improved air quality, and easily overlooked features like bicycle stands and showers.
These may seem like minor details, but they make a big difference to employees looking for a conducive and motivating workspace.
This will be especially important in a space that could create as many as 300 to 500 new quality positions for the city. Employers want to retain the most competitive workforce, so it’s a win-win from Pilbeam’s perspective.
Tied to that is the need to be environmentally responsible. NHG already values sustainability at its other holdings, and 580 Victoria will be no different. “Our hotel is rated five green keys by the Hotel Association of Canada,” Pilbeam said. “It’s the highest level that you can get.”
One important part of continuing that legacy will be the new building’s environmentally friendly design, which will target LEED Gold certification.
“Being sustainable, energy-efficient and taking a green approach just ties in with what our core values are as a company, but certainly what’s going to attract people to this as well,” said Pilbeam.
Part of the community
A major project like this hinges on community support, and NHG is very aware of that going in.
“Choosing Kamloops as a location to operate a business versus somewhere in the Lower Mainland, for example, portrays a clear understanding in the desire to have and promote a work-life balance,” said Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian. “The addition of the 580 Victoria Street building will create lucrative business opportunities, allowing its tenants to attract and retain skilled employees through the building’s modern facilities, proximity to local amenities and ease of commute to and from the office spaces.”
“This is a project that’s been two years in the works, so we’ve done a lot of market research, as well as one- on-one interviews with people to really see the demand and the desire for it,” said Pilbeam.
“People are very excited. There has not been a new build like this in downtown Kamloops for over 10 years, so it really is time to lift downtown for future developments, and for us.”
It’s no surprise that the company would have this kind of support, having been an active part of the Kamloops community for years. Hotel 540 has won numerous awards and has been voted a favourite hotel among locals.
“We host a number of local events such as the classic holiday fundraiser – Toys for Kids, Basics for Babies,” said Pilbeam.
The 580 Victoria project is a natural fit for such a prominent stakeholder in the community.
For more information on 580 Victoria, visit www.580victoria.com.
