21 Weber St W + 149-151 Ontario St N | 20 fl | Proposed

[UrbanCanoe]

A  new development was briefly discussed at the Kitchener City Council Meeting on Monday evening. The proposal is for a residential tower on top of the existing heritage structure at 149-151 Ontario St N (beside the Apollo Cinema building). It looks like the tower will have a total of 20 storeys. It was mentioned that the development would have ZERO parking spaces because underground parking is not an option due to the heritage structure.

Here is the rendering that was presented to Council and Google streetview images of the property:

               

[panamaniac]

Can one be thrilled that a unique heritage house would be saved, and not just the facade from the looks of it, and still think that the proposal looks gross?

This is a case where I might be inclined to look into the possibility of moving the house, even though that offends heritage principles.

[Watdot]

Couldn't agree more. Yikes that is gross.

[Chris]

Is that building just old or is it culturally significant, both? It's not much to look at and without being told I wouldn't have thought it was protected.

[Spokes]

Very bland.

I'm however happy that there are development discussions surrounding that site.

[KevinL]

While I would definitely like to see SOMETHING built alongside that tower to abut the blank concrete wall, this is not it.

[MidTowner]

That to me looks like the intent is just to show the scale. Surely it won't be as bland as that.

I think it could look very cool having it built around the house like that. And if the house is what's being used to justify less parking, then I love the house. It's a very fine house.

[tomh009]

Development is good, but the design is bland -- and it's madness the way they are trying to wrap around the existing house.

[jeffster]

Is that building just old or is it culturally significant, both? It's not much to look at and without being told I wouldn't have thought it was protected.

I am guessing just old and ugly. Perhaps a former mayor visited the place at some point.

[tomh009]

I don't see that house on either the designated heritage property list or the non-designated heritage property list.

https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGen..._Index.pdf
https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGen...erties.pdf

[panamaniac]

Is that building just old or is it culturally significant, both? It's not much to look at and without being told I wouldn't have thought it was protected.

Is that building just old or is it culturally significant, both? It's not much to look at and without being told I wouldn't have thought it was protected.

I am guessing just old and ugly. Perhaps a former mayor visited the place at some point.

Ugly?  I think it's gorgeous.  I don't think there's another double bay duplex of that style in town, is there?  I'd love to see a pic of what it looked like back in the day, when it likely would have had a covered front porch.  The current windows do it no favours either.

[rangersfan]

It's nice to see a new proposal on a site that could use some intensification but I hope that render is just to show scale as previously mentioned.
The project would be unique that's for sure.

[ZEBuilder]

I don't see that house on either the designated heritage property list or the non-designated heritage property list.

https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGen..._Index.pdf
https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGen...erties.pdf

it's on the non designated properties list but it is very easy to skip over.

[tomh009]

I don't see that house on either the designated heritage property list or the non-designated heritage property list.

https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGen..._Index.pdf
https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGen...erties.pdf

it's on the non designated properties list but it is very easy to skip over.

So it is … I missed it, sorry.

[panamaniac]

Today's e-Record has a piece about this project with what looks to be a better render of the proposed tower (durned firewall!). Also a brief comment about the heritage aspect of the old brick duplex.