Sopa Square

It is not unusual to catch Edgar Fenwick riding up and down Pandosy on a neon green folding bicycle asking passersby to come into the Discovery Centre for a cappuccino that he will make personally.

Edgar Fenwick is the mastermind behind SOPA Square and has teamed with other local professionals to make this project a reality. His vision for this project has been percolating for 10 years and the approval process through the City is completed and the Discovery Centre is open. The Fenwick family has been in Kelowna for 80 years and Edgar has been developing real estate projects in Kelowna for over 25 years. Edgar is concerned with the urban sprawl of our Okanagan Valley. “We need to stop diminishing our arable land and get away from the car society we have created says Edgar. He has been a strong supporter of higher densities in town centres and reducing the reliance on automobiles for transportation.

SOPA Square will appeal to all those interested in treading more lightly on Earth and living in a vibrant urban community. Sustainability was the focus in the creation of SOPA Square which will be a community where you can live, work and shop without relying on automobiles says marketing director Stacey Fenwick daughter of Edgar. The project includes 87 residential suites, 50,000 sqft of retail and 20,000 sqft of office space located on the 3000 block of Pandosy Street.

SOPA?

SOPA Square is an acronym for SOuth PAndosy modeled after the trendy areas of New York City. It has memorable and unique identity (brand) for the project that encompasses not just the project itself but the neighbourhood around it explains Stacey Fenwick. The retail area of SOPA Square is a unique outdoor, pedestrian friendly urban experience in the Lower Mission area of Kelowna. The inner courtyard and laneway within the project is designed to be home to art exhibits, wine fares, cultural events, and artisan farmer markets.
SOPA Square is a Leed Certified project targeting a LEED Gold rating. LEED certification is just one step in taking sustainability from a concept to meaningful action. Sustainability is based on the belief that new development must meet the needs of the present without compromising those of the future. Sustainability is measured in three interdependent dimensions: the environment, economics, and society — often referred to as the triple bottom line.

Unique features of SOPA Square:

Concrete construction for longevity and sound proofing
A public courtyard (urban plaza) with water feature
Increased building setbacks on Pandosy Street to create an active streetscape
Rooftop amenity spaces including a fitness facility, infinity edge lap pool, putting green and landscaped greenroofs
Innovative flexible-suite units
Underground parking
Pedestrian friendly mews/laneways fronted by shops and services
Solar tube panels will be mounted on the south sloping tower roof
Design is intended to maximize passive energy strategies such as solar gain, natural day lighting, and ventilation.
The tower building is slender and split, allowing light to enter into the street and shopping areas. It is much more visually appealing than the typical square block design. The retail shops in the project will provide amenities for the residents and a pedestrian friendly market of unique boutiques.
You may not see Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt at SOPA Square but the interior design is made for movie stars. In true New York swanky style the interiors are unprecedented in the Okanagan market. Modern but warm interiors invite you to take a deep breath and relax as you enjoy the beauty of the valley and lake views.

The Discovery Centre for SOPA Square at 3013 Pandosy Street is now open from noon to 4pm or for private viewings anytime. It is directly across from project build site. At the Discovery Centre there is an architecturally stunning scale model of the project, a vignette of the living spaces, viewscapes from every floor, as well as digital 3D floorplans for each suite. (Picture of a 3 D Floorplan)

Terri Rosenau is excited to be involved in this project: As the newest member to the SOPA Square team, I am excited to a part of this amazing family. I think what drew me to the project, besides the environmentally conscious, progressive building and stunning design, was the involvement and commitment the Fenwicks have for the Kelowna community. Born and raised here they are woven into the fabric of the City and with this project continue their commitment to create whole communities within the City they love.

Both Terri Rosenau and Stacey Fenwick will be working at the Discovery Centre. And of course, if you come down to South Pandosy you may just be forced to drink a cappuccino made by Edgar Fenwick.

UPDATE++++ The word on the street is that Stacy now has a Gaggenau espresso machine on standby!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit SopaSquare.com