Bernard Avenue is without a doubt Kelowna’s most recognized and iconic street. The cultural heart of the city, Bernard is home to exceptional dining, artisan coffee shops and numerous retail businesses lining the street all the way down to its picturesque terminus at The Sails statue in front of the Okanagan Lake.
But have you ever wondered what Bernard looked like over 100 years ago? How did it get its name? Why did it become so prominent? Join us as we take a walk down memory lane (or Avenue in this case) to discover its humble origins and how it’s changed and developed through the decades.
Photo Credit: Kelowna Public Archives: KMA#4019Humble beginnings for Bernard Avenue with just a handful of wooden stores. Photo taken from the corner of present-day Bernard and Abbott in1894.
We start our journey through time in 1892 when the original townsite of Kelowna was laid out by the Lequime brothers, Bernard and Leon. Those names sound familiar? They founded Bernard Avenue and opened the Lequime Brothers and Co General Store close to the lake to cash in on the traffic brought to Kelowna by the Canadian Pacific Railway steamwheelers, which transported people and goods from Okanagan Landing down to Penticton.
By the turn of the century, the City of Kelowna had officially been founded. As it continued to grow, more and more businesses were built along Bernard Avenue, including the Palace Hotel – now the Royal Anne Hotel – which can be seen in the photo above.
As for the Lequime brothers, they relocated their original wood-frame store one lot to the east and built Kelowna’s first stone-dressed building. It still stands today at 229-233 Bernard Avenue and represents Kelowna’s oldest surviving commercial building. Located near the corner of Bernard Ave. and Abbott St. near The Sails, it currently hosts eateries Bacaro, Pita Pit and Fresh Slice Pizza.
The next stage in Bernard’s development came in 1908. According to an article by The Daily Courier, as automobiles started to replace horse and carts on the streets of Kelowna, the city council decided to pave the street for pedestrians. Well, some of the street at least. The south side of Bernard between Water and Abbott to be precise. The paving job cost $879.50. A hefty sum for 1908!
Six years later, Bernard Avenue began enforcing its first speed limit of 15 miles per hour and motorists were instructed to drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Photo Credit: Kelowna Public Archives: KMA#7705The view looking East down Bernard hasn’t changed much over the past 60 years. Photo taken 1950.
By the 50’s, Kelowna had reached a population of over 10,000 and had become a hub of commerce in the B.C. interior, thanks in part to the opening of the floating Okanagan bridge which made Kelowna even more accessible. Bernard Avenue had certainly cemented its place as the entertainment and cultural hub of the city by this point.
Boasting two theatres, including the Paramount, whose sign still stands today despite closing recently, and a number of commercial businesses and bars, Bernard was the epicentre of booming Kelowna.
Photo Credit: Kelowna Public Archives:KMA#4043Road markings had replaced the central lampposts by 1985. The cars look a little different too.
The central lamp posts have been removed, more and more businesses have opened and the vehicles have changed, but there hasn’t been any dramatic change to Bernard Avenue for decades. It has remained the focal point of the city and the heart of the ever-growing cultural district.
Photo Credit: KelownaNowThe present-day view down Bernard Avenue.
With a whole host of bars and eateries hosting live music and events, plentiful shopping opportunities and walking distance to the beautiful lakefront and City Park, western Bernard Avenue is one of the most desirable areas to live in the whole of Kelowna – but living opportunities are rare.
Photo Credit: Mission Group Homes Ltd.Ella will be within walking distance of the best nightlife Kelowna has to offer.
That’s why the new Ella complex, set for construction at the intersection of Ellis Street and Lawrence Avenue, has already sold 70% of its homes and studios. With such close proximity to the Bernard District, it’s no wonder Ella has a walking score of 97. Couple that with the sweeping views of the lake and mountains and it’s easy to see why Ella is one of the hottest complex buildings on the market.
Check out what Ella has to offer at the presentation and display home, open to the public at 489 Bernard Avenue. Further details can be found here.
Ella is a new concrete condominium and boutique community by Mission Group, coming soon to Kelowna, which offers a lifestyle where everything's within reach. Occupants of the luxury studios and homes at Ella will enjoy stunning views of the lake and mountains and will be within walking distance of the beaches, shops, dining, and the endless outdoor recreational activities available in Kelowna's downtown core. The team at Ella welcome you to come by and see their Presentation Centre and Display Home at 489 Bernard Avenue. Click here for more information.
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