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Thanks to @IanBMorris for the idea, here's a year-end thread of the major projects that are currently shaping downtown (and areas near downtown). Some are just starting construction, some have just completed, and most are somewhere in between. Let's go!
741 King St. W.
Status: construction to begin soon.
Building: residential tower, 18 storeys.
Notable feature: a large, architectural 'armature' creates a unique podium condition along King St., framing ground floor retail and new outdoor amenity spaces.
Status: construction to begin soon.
Building: residential tower, 18 storeys.
Notable feature: a large, architectural 'armature' creates a unique podium condition along King St., framing ground floor retail and new outdoor amenity spaces.
Breithaupt Block Phase 3
Status: construction is now above ground.
Building: office tower, 11 storeys.
Notable feature: a new plaza space will be created at the corner, with the building overhead supported by 5-storey angled pilotis.
Status: construction is now above ground.
Building: office tower, 11 storeys.
Notable feature: a new plaza space will be created at the corner, with the building overhead supported by 5-storey angled pilotis.
Station Park
Status: below-grade construction ongoing.
Building: 2 residential towers, 18 & 28 storeys.
Notable feature: a new publicly-accessible amenity space, interior to the site, also conserves the historical Kaufman mansion.
Status: below-grade construction ongoing.
Building: 2 residential towers, 18 & 28 storeys.
Notable feature: a new publicly-accessible amenity space, interior to the site, also conserves the historical Kaufman mansion.
The Hub
Status: construction to begin in 2021.
Building: transit hub, 2 storeys.
Notable feature: a large public plaza is being created at the corner of Victoria and King, providing an important new open space in one of the densest areas of the city.
Status: construction to begin in 2021.
Building: transit hub, 2 storeys.
Notable feature: a large public plaza is being created at the corner of Victoria and King, providing an important new open space in one of the densest areas of the city.
Garment St. Condos & Glove Box
Status: tower 1, complete. Tower 2, topped out. Tower 3, more than halfway to full height. Glove box, approx half complete.
Building: 3 residential towers, 17, 21 & 27 storeys, 6 storey office building.
Notable feature: a new internal street.
Status: tower 1, complete. Tower 2, topped out. Tower 3, more than halfway to full height. Glove box, approx half complete.
Building: 3 residential towers, 17, 21 & 27 storeys, 6 storey office building.
Notable feature: a new internal street.
345 King St. W.
Status: nearly complete.
Building: mid-rise office, 6 storeys.
Notable feature: building cantilevers to provide new pedestrian refuge space along King St.
Status: nearly complete.
Building: mid-rise office, 6 storeys.
Notable feature: building cantilevers to provide new pedestrian refuge space along King St.
Charlie West Condos
Status: topping out.
Building: residential tower, 31 storeys.
Notable feature: a map of the downtown is embedded in the perforated metal screening the parking garage.
Status: topping out.
Building: residential tower, 31 storeys.
Notable feature: a map of the downtown is embedded in the perforated metal screening the parking garage.
1 Young
Status: construction nearly complete.
Building: mid-rise office, 5 storeys.
Notable feature: the architectural features of the historical Mayfair hotel are etched into the glass facade. Mass timber construction uses renewable materials.
Status: construction nearly complete.
Building: mid-rise office, 5 storeys.
Notable feature: the architectural features of the historical Mayfair hotel are etched into the glass facade. Mass timber construction uses renewable materials.
Young Condos (City Centre II)
Status: construction 2 storeys above ground.
Building: residential tower, 25 storeys.
Notable feature: a new plaza space is being created along Duke St., which will integrate a rebuilt facade from the historical Forsythe building.
Status: construction 2 storeys above ground.
Building: residential tower, 25 storeys.
Notable feature: a new plaza space is being created along Duke St., which will integrate a rebuilt facade from the historical Forsythe building.
Arrow Phase II
Status: recently topped out.
Building: residential tower, 15 storeys.
Notable feature: takes design cues from historical arrow lofts building and translates them into high-rise form.
Status: recently topped out.
Building: residential tower, 15 storeys.
Notable feature: takes design cues from historical arrow lofts building and translates them into high-rise form.
DTK Condos
Status: construction about 60% complete.
Building: residential tower, 39 storeys.
Notable feature: will soon be the tallest building in the region.
Status: construction about 60% complete.
Building: residential tower, 39 storeys.
Notable feature: will soon be the tallest building in the region.
Drewlo Apartments (King/Madison).
Status: below-grade construction ongoing.
Building: 2 residential towers, 18 & 22 storeys.
Notable feature: a glass box on the corner of the podium will act as a unique gateway feature into the downtown.
Status: below-grade construction ongoing.
Building: 2 residential towers, 18 & 22 storeys.
Notable feature: a glass box on the corner of the podium will act as a unique gateway feature into the downtown.
Market Flats
Status: construction about 50% complete.
Building: residential tower, 7 storeys.
Notable feature: Numerous balconies along King St. frontage will enhance street life and safety (natural surveilance).
Status: construction about 50% complete.
Building: residential tower, 7 storeys.
Notable feature: Numerous balconies along King St. frontage will enhance street life and safety (natural surveilance).
Apartments at Weber/Scott
Status: construction nearly complete.
Building: residential tower, 11 storeys.
Notable feature: large stepbacks create well articulated massing.
Status: construction nearly complete.
Building: residential tower, 11 storeys.
Notable feature: large stepbacks create well articulated massing.
Apartments at Weber/Scott/Pearl
Status: construction has just begun.
Building: residential tower, 11 storeys.
Notable feature: a circular pattern will be applied to both precast panels and balconies that pays homage to the neighbouring Eiwo building.
Status: construction has just begun.
Building: residential tower, 11 storeys.
Notable feature: a circular pattern will be applied to both precast panels and balconies that pays homage to the neighbouring Eiwo building.
Did I miss any? There are several smaller projects as well (American Hotel, 48 Ontario, The Otis, the B & H grocery site) but I think this represents all the large new builds. Thanks for following along; 2020 is maybe the biggest year for change in Kitchener's built history!
