Award-winning living

JEANIE KEOGH

Joining the many retirees who choose to downsize to a smaller living quarters, Kelowna’s Mel Kotler is trying the Madison, his new downtown condominium development, on for size and, in the meantime, winning several architectural awards.

Kotler, who spent years building a business empire with Fabricland, turned to building the Okanagan’s most prestigious condominium complex after venturing into the development business with a friend.

Responding to what he saw as a growing need, Kotler set out to build “a high-end [and], perhaps, a little more sophisticated building than Kelowna had been used to seeing.... I think there was a market that was ready for something a little upscale.”

The result: three awards, known as “Tommies.” Projects are judged on various aspects of the development process, reviewed by committee and a panel of industry experts. Criteria are based on a variety of performance standards from conception to completion. The Madison’s 57 residential and five commercial units won the gold prize for best highrise in 2009 and best website and best marketing in 2007.

The Madison stands on Ellis Street, at the entrance of what is now advertised as the “cultural district” of the Okanagan. Inspired by buildings in New York City, the Madison was a lofty undertaking and took nearly six years of planning with architects and city planners. It started as an idea to build 20 to 25 units, but soon became much more. Sales began in August 2007 and, as of press time, all but six of its 57 units had sold.

The key to Kotler’s success has been in the details, going the extra mile with the development’s finishing touches. One such detail is the availability of 29 different floor plans from which to choose, as well as the option to customize flooring and cabinetry. Kotler is pleased with the project’s unique touches. The “architecture is very striking. Some of our owners wrote to us and said, ‘We’re so impressed you delivered what you promised.’ I’ve had developer friends come through the building and say, ‘We wouldn’t have given them as much as you guys did.’ We made sure that we promised a lot and delivered a lot – and charged a lot,” he joked.

What also makes the building different from others is that Kotler sought out buyers looking for homes in which to live rather than an investment property they could flip for profit. The building has been advertised as a “home in the sky.” Kotler said he asked himself what he would want in a condo unit and came up with higher ceilings, larger patios and more closet space – elements often missing from other developments. Many people looking to downsize from a big home with a yard still want space.

The final product was enough to convince Kotler and his wife to move from their country home and rent a unit for a year to see if the downtown Kelowna lifestyle agrees with them. A niche market of mostly baby boomers followed suit.

The project was helped by having the City of Kelowna onside with his plans to put a new face on the urban landscape and change the direction of the vision of development in the area, Kotler said.

The Madison is not Kotler’s first foray into condominiums. He oversaw the building of the 28-unit South Point development five years ago. It remains to be seen if Kotler plans to keep a foot in the industry after he has fully settled into his new home in the Madison. Kotler said he isn’t one to have a master plan. Projects such as this one “just happen,” he said. And, though he said he would likely scale back his involvement in a future project, with Kotler, anything seems possible.

“Who knows? I’m still young at 67,” he mused.

Jeanie Keogh is a Vancouver freelance writer.

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