+- Waterloo Region Connected (https://www.waterlooregionconnected.com)
+-- Forum: Land Development and Real Estate (https://www.waterlooregionconnected.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Forum: University Area (https://www.waterlooregionconnected.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=6)
+--- Thread: 156 Columbia St (/showthread.php?tid=209)
156 Columbia St - Brenden - 10-15-2014
Dragon's Den banker Michael Wekerle buys BlackBerry real estate
Quote:Waterloo residents should get used to seeing a lot of Michael Wekerle around town.
The flashy investment banker and new dragon on CBC's Dragon's Den, is working on a deal to buy up six former BlackBerry buildings and turn the area around Columbia and Phillip Streets into a tech incubator.
Quote:Now, Wekerle wants to build a tech incubator that he says will help young entrepreneurs hone their ideas while also offering something for the region.
"I purchased BlackBerry 5, which is 156 [Columbia St.], and I'm working under contract right now on Blackberry 6, 7, the parking lots and BlackBerry 10," said Wekerle in an interview with Craig Norris on The Morning Edition Wednesday. He's also looking to buy two other BlackBerry buildings, 440 and 460 Philip St.
Quote:The region will get a taste of what Wekerle has in store on Sunday, when he opens BlackBerry 5 for Wektoberfest, an afternoon celebration featuring Canadian rockers 54-40 and free food. All proceeds will go to the YWCA of Kitchener-Waterloo.
RE: 156 Columbia St - dano - 10-15-2014
the most exciting part for me is that he might buy other properties and seems to be considering the need for residential too
RE: 156 Columbia St - Markster - 10-16-2014
The tent for Wektoberfest is going up
![[Image: B0FeuFUIQAAFldP.jpg:large]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0FeuFUIQAAFldP.jpg:large)
RE: 156 Columbia St - Spokes - 10-16-2014
Who's going this weekend?
RE: 156 Columbia St - JoeKW - 10-27-2014
I've heard from friends that this was one of the best organized events they ever attended. Kudos to the organizers.