420 Downie Street: Building Affordable Housing in Revelstoke Through British Columbia’s Redevelopment Program

Addressing Revelstoke’s Growing Housing Needs Through Partnership

Kindred Construction’s latest addition to its growing portfolio of affordable housing projects, 420 Downie Street in Revelstoke, B.C., marks an opportunity to construct the first development delivered under British Columbia’s redevelopment program aimed at transforming underutilized land into much-needed housing in this town.

While the housing crisis affects communities across the country, its impact is particularly acute in fast-growing resort towns like Revelstoke, where local employers rely on attracting new talent but face limited availability of attainable housing. Demand continues to outpace supply, making it increasingly difficult for people to find homes they can afford in the communities they love.

The four-storey, wood-frame development is a collaborative affordable housing initiative between BC Housing, the City of Revelstoke, and the Revelstoke Community Housing Society, designed to help address the community’s ongoing housing shortage while delivering homes that integrate seamlessly into the existing neighbourhood.

With 111,681 square feet of residential living space, the project will contribute meaningfully to Revelstoke’s housing landscape and serves as a model for how public land, strong partnerships, and experienced delivery teams can work together to move housing projects forward.

Aligning Design, Scale, and Construction Strategy to Deliver Non-Market Housing

The development will include a mix of studio to two-bedroom rental homes, 15 standalone three-bedroom townhouses, one commercial retail unit, and one level of underground parking. In total, the project will deliver 166 homes, complemented by shared amenities such as communal gardens and an on-site childcare facility that will create a welcoming, community-oriented environment for residents.

Kindred Construction is working closely to deliver modern, high-quality finishes that reflect the look and feel of market housing, while remaining aligned with affordable rental rates. The project’s scale and unit mix were intentionally designed to respond to the diverse housing needs within the community.

The successful delivery of the project is rooted in technological innovation and a highly coordinated pre-construction approach. Leveraging BIM modelling and clash detection allows for advanced coordination between precast foundations, wood framing, and mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, improving efficiency and helping accelerate construction to bring this much-needed housing to market sooner.

Precast foundations are being utilized to further streamline project delivery and maintain the critical path within more favourable weather conditions, reducing risk and supporting a faster overall schedule. By developing a comprehensive 3D model of the entire project early on, the team anticipates fewer on-site changes that can otherwise lead to increased costs and schedule delays. In parallel, Kindred Construction is working closely with BC Housing and the project operator, the Revelstoke Community Housing Society, to explore design variations that respond to budget constraints while maintaining quality and ensuring the project remains cost-effective.

Alignment between partners early in the process, particularly around scope, scale, and community needs, has been a key priority, underscoring the importance of shared goals when delivering non-market housing. This early collaboration helped establish a clear vision for a project that balances livability, durability, and long-term community benefit.

Building for Longevity, Affordability, and Local Impact

Recognizing the urgency of delivering this project and the role it plays in easing housing pressures in the community, Kindred Construction is working closely with the Revelstoke Community Housing Society to apply its expertise and lessons from similar developments. These insights are helping shape a project designed for longevity, one that responds to the evolving needs of residents while keeping operating costs manageable over time.

Throughout the planning and construction process, the team has also prioritized engaging local subcontractors wherever possible, supporting the regional workforce and strengthening ties within the community. In doing so, the project has further underscored the challenges of securing housing for skilled trades in Revelstoke. Forecasting where workers can live has highlighted the limited availability of attainable housing, reinforcing the importance of a project of this scale in supporting both residents and the local economy.

As construction moves forward, 420 Downie Street serves as both a critical housing initiative and a learning opportunity, shaping how future affordable housing projects in remote towns can be delivered more efficiently and collaboratively, with lasting community impact.