The apartments at 435 Cherry Avenue in Kamloops. (CFJC Today File Photo)

By Victor Kaisar & Michael Reeve

Cherry Avenue Apartments

Cherry Avenue apartments expected to finally reopen after two years of delays

Dec 1, 2025 | 12:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — More than two years after it was originally scheduled to open, renovations on an apartment building on Cherry Avenue that was bought by BC Housing are nearing completion.

In an emailed statement to CFJC, BC Housing confirmed residents will begin moving into the building at 435 Cherry Avenue by the end of this year, though an exact date was not provided.

“We are working hard to open these 42 affordable homes as soon as possible, prioritizing building quality and safety standards for the families, seniors and individuals who are moving in,” BC Housing said in its statement.

The Crown agency bought the fire-damaged building for almost $13 million back in 2023, with plans to open it later that year. It later admitted that renovations and safety upgrades took longer than expected.

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Earlier this year, former housing minister Ravi Kahlon said the province bought the building with the goal of creating low- to moderate-income housing in Kamloops. He also defended the purchase price, following criticism from then-BC United, now-BC Conservative MLA Peter Milobar.

“That is one building of over 2,100 units that we are investing in Kamloops,” Kahlon said in April. “Kamloops has one of the highest per-capita investments in affordable housing in the province.”

“We wanted [the move-in] to happen last year, but of course, when you open up walls you can find there are additional challenges and that work is happening right now.”

A BC Housing spokesperson said the building is expected to undergo a final inspection this month. Once it opens, the 42-unit apartment building — with suites ranging from studios to two-bedrooms — will be managed and operated by Interior Community Services.

“Total construction costs are being finalized and will be shared soon once the project is completed and tenanting begins,” BC Housing added.