About Downtown South Kamloops

Downtown Kamloops is a fairly diverse area and has seen a lot of change over the recent years.

The Downtown Kamloops area also known as South Kamloops has a number of distinct areas within this area. There is the main downtown core where you will find condos and apartments. There are a few townhouse developments within the main core region however it is dominated by condos for the most part. It will also be the home to the City Gardens development, which is going to bring a two high rises with 20 and 24 floors, low rise condos, townhomes and commercial space to the downtown core. There is also a lot of infilling that is going on in the downtown area where a few lots are joined (also known as a land assembly) and an apartment or condo building is built in their place.

Outside of the main core of the Downtown Kamloops area is the east end of South Kamloops. South of Columbia street, east of 6th Avenue and bordered by the Trans Canada Highway #1 interchange with the Yellowhead Highway 5 there is a neighborhood known as the Sagebrush neighborhood. In this area you will find predominantly single family homes. There are some small mult-family homes, half and full duplexes, small townhouse developments and condos but you will not find any high rise buildings in this area. Many homes have been renovated or redeveloped in this area and some properties even include a carriage or garden home. This is a highly sought after area due to the proximity of schools for children of all ages. There is French immersion, elementary school, and an arts school all in the Sagebrush neighborhood. It is also home to the Sagebrush Theatre at Kamloops Secondary School.

North of Columbia and east of 6th Avenue you will find some homes that resemble those of the Sagebrush community however there is a bit more of a mix in this area due to the flatter lots and proximity to the downtown core. Along Seymour and St Paul Street you will find commercial-residential mix where older homes are commercially zoned and used as business space.

The West End of Downtown South Kamloops features most of Kamloops heritage homes. There are some gorgeous estates and historical homes in this area. Some of them have large sprawling lots and so much history. This neighborhood is located west of 1st Avenue and north of Columbia Street. The West end also includes a number of older homes that are not considered heritage homes, newer properties that are newly built or significantly renovated, duplex homes and as you get further west closer to the university there is a lot of townhomes and condos. Along Dalgleish Drive and McBeth is where most of the townhouses are located, this location is very close to Thompson Rivers University (TRU) making them great for rental properties or residents for students. There are newer condos along Victoria St West and on Hudson’s Bay Trail where you will also find some gated communities and townhomes.

The majority of the shopping is found in the main downtown core area which is between 1st Avenue and 6th Avenue. The popular Riverside Park is located between 1st and 3rd Avenue, beside the Sandman Centre. This park is especially popular in the summer hosting Music in the Park, many public events, there is a swimming area in the river, water park for kids and lots of green space. For those with dogs, the next popular Pioneer Park which is located east of Riverside is a great place to spread out a picnic blanket and spend the day. There is a beach area and it is swimmable for both the humans and their 4 legged friends.

Sandman Centre is home to the Kamloops Blazers and hosts a number of events throughout the year.

The South Kamloops Downtown is home to many of the important services and amenities in Kamloops. Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops Court House, numerous medical services, professional offices, restaurants and cafes, shopping and much more. The downtown area is also where you will find the Kamloops Museum, The Art Gallery in the old Court House, Kamloops City Hall and the newest addition Kelson Hall, which houses the Kamloops Symphony and Western Canada Theatre Company.

One of the major bus loops is located in Downtown Kamloops on Lansdowne street which is beside Lansdowne mall. Lansdowne mall is an open air mall with numerous retailers and services. BC Transit offers a number of routes from the Lansdowne bus loop.

Downtown south Kamloops is a great place for someone looking for a walkable place to live. Residents can walk to the local shops to get groceries, visit the farmers market in the warmer months, catch a show or go for a hike up Peterson Creek Park.