Rental Housing Under Construction in Blind Bay
By Jo Boxwell
Rendering of rental homes at Aspens at Blind Bay.
(Image credit: SGR Design)
In the rural Shuswap, there are limited options for those who would like to live locally without owning a home. The 2025 CSRD Interim Housing Needs Assessment identified zero new “purpose-built rental” properties across the CSRD’s Electoral Areas between 2016 and 2023. Gerald Christie, CSRD General Manager, Development Services, confirmed in an email that within the Electoral Areas that have building regulation (Areas B, C, E, F and G), staff are aware of only one long-term rental development currently underway – in Blind Bay.
A new project under construction by Vancouver-based District Group will create 36 homes on 3.71 acres in Blind Bay exclusively for long-term rentals. This is District Group’s first endeavour in the Shuswap, but they have completed similar projects in the Okanagan, the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. The general contractor for the Blind Bay project is Vancouver-based Taylor Valley Construction.
Rendering of rental homes at Aspens at Blind Bay.
(Image credit: SGR Design)
Karter Parisloff, Development Manager at District Group, said that choosing to take on a new project in the Shuswap wasn’t just a good business decision. “One of our founders has a personal connection to the area. He’s been visiting for over 20 years, and when the opportunity came up, it was a perfect fit,” Karter explained, adding that at the Blind Bay site, “We wanted to create a rental community because the need is so clear.”
Located at the corner of Balmoral Road and Golf Course Drive, the development will be called “Aspens at Blind Bay.” When complete, Aspens at Blind Bay will be comprised of nine modern-craftsman style buildings. The 36 multifamily units will be developed in stacked fourplexes (two units above and two below). The one and two-bedroom homes will offer open concept layouts with private patios or balconies. Karter said the homes have been, “designed with comfort and livability in mind, featuring efficient floor plans, spacious rooms and large windows that bring in lots of natural light.”
Landscaping will be a mix of existing and new native plants, and outdoor parking will be available for all homes. The new homes will connect to existing community water and sewer systems. Future residents will be close to amenities such as the golf course, walking trails and pickleball courts.
Built to BC Energy Step Code 3 standards, these homes will deliver a higher level of energy performance, reducing overall energy consumption and environmental impact. Increased insulation as well as durable and fire-resistant materials have been incorporated into the design. Karter also mentioned that District Group is looking at ways to retrofit several parking stalls into the development to accommodate EV charging stations as demand for electric vehicles grows.
These pet-friendly homes will be available at market rental rates. Pre-leasing is expected to begin next summer with occupancy anticipated for fall 2026. Minimum one-year leases mean the new homes will be exclusively available for long-term tenants. While the ground-level homes with open concept layouts may be suitable for some people with mobility challenges, there are no fully accessible units. District Group’s in-house property management company, North Grove Communities, will take over management of the buildings post-occupancy.
A landing page for the Blind Bay development will soon be available through the District Group website (districtgroup.ca). Those interested in finding out more about Aspens at Blind Bay will have an option to sign up online to receive project updates.
“There is a buzz for this product in the area, and given our background, it’s a great fit for us to provide projects like this and help address demand,” Karter said. The company is interested in looking at future opportunities in the area that could add to the long-term rental housing supply in the Shuswap.
