General Urban Kitchener Updates and Rumours

[tomh009]

What? There are people living on the SOUTH side of the 401? Seriously?

[519]

Is that blue shape on the sign meant to be a representation of the shape of the lot?

[panamaniac]

Is that blue shape on the sign meant to be a representation of the shape of the lot?

I've wondered about that myself.  I'm not sure, but I think the lot may indeed have a narrow strip that stretches over to Hebel Pl (Kitchener's narrowest residential street?).

[tomh009]

Is that blue shape on the sign meant to be a representation of the shape of the lot?

I've wondered about that myself.  I'm not sure, but I think the lot may indeed have a narrow strip that stretches over to Hebel Pl (Kitchener's narrowest residential street?).

It does, yes.  See this map:

   

[panamaniac]

Oddities of 19th century Kitchener. If you look at that map just beside 155, you can see a house behind the Benton St row that seems totally misplaced in relation to St George. I assume that the house was there well before the the Benton row or the neighbouring houses on St George. If you look around, there are a number of anomalies like that in the pre-War urban fabric.

[GtwoK]

I've heard from a man who purported to be the owner of the Shopper's building downtown / owner of the white building behind that (26 college, I believe?) that that building, and the shoppers parking lot, are slated for demolition. Supposedly, a 17 storey condo is planned for the 2 lots.

The guys credentials seems valid as far as I could tell, he was discussing this with the store manager at Shopper's, who I later asked and was told that the guy owned both properties.

[Spokes]

Very interesting considering how recently it was all renovated.

[notmyfriends]

I think he's just referring to 26 college being demolished and the adjacent parking lot. Seems like an appropriate lot for redevelopment.

[GtwoK]

Yeah, sorry, just the lots on the corner behind the laneway. The 3 in red here.

[panamaniac]

I always just assumed that those properties belonged to the church. It would be nice to see a development go up there - the footprint seems a bit small for a 17 storey tower, but I guess if there were a parking podium.....

[Rainrider22]

I've heard from a man who purported to be the owner of the Shopper's building downtown / owner of the white building behind that (26 college, I believe?) that that building, and the shoppers parking lot, are slated for demolition. Supposedly, a 17 storey condo is planned for the 2 lots.

The guys credentials seems valid as far as I could tell, he was discussing this with the store manager at Shopper's, who I later asked and was told that the guy owned both properties.

If it is designed well, that would be a really good compliment to City Centre and the area as a whole.

[KevinL]

the footprint seems a bit small for a 17 storey tower

I've seen similar heights go up in Toronto on similar footprints.

I was just thinking to myself recently that this would be a prime location for redevelopment, being so close to the LRT and with no structures of note. Pleased to see it advancing!

[tomh009]

It would be a fairly slender tower, meaning less efficient use of the floorplate for condos (ie greater % overhead for elevators, stairs and hallways). On the other hand, each unit would have a greater window area, so potentially could be sold as premium units. Location is excellent, as noted above.

[clasher]

That sounds like an exciting possibility. I think something like the first rendering for 53 David would look awesome there.

[GtwoK]

On another note, I remember seeing a For Sale (and possibly a Sold?) sign on the South West corner of Weber Victoria. Anyone know any details, or which specific building was sold there? This intersection is ripe for some redevlopment, post grade separation.