Back to SearchKitchener – With continued demand for high quality, mixed-use space in downtown Kitchener, City of Kitchener staff is excited to have reached approval in principle for One Young Street. This new building will feature 53,000 sq. ft. on five-stories including retail, office and a rooftop entertainment/restaurant space. The flexible, ground floor retail units and public art features will create an animated and inviting corner for pedestrians at King and Young Streets. The three floors of modern post and beam style office space will attract Class A tenants and contribute to the vibrancy of the downtown.
“The quality and design of this building will no doubt attract the kind of enterprises, both retail and commercial, that are eager to be a part of Kitchener’s downtown transformation,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “It is both exciting and rewarding to see private partners showing their commitment and confidence in this transformation through these types of investments.”
Once all the conditions are satisfied through the site plan approval process, a building permit can be issued. Work is expected to start by spring 2019 and construction should take approximately a year.
“We’re really excited to be moving forward with this project,” said Bernie Nimer, Developer of One Young Street. “Our design team at WalterFedy, have spent a tremendous amount of care, time and effort in designing a stunning, high-quality structure that captures the essence of the former building in unique and interesting ways. The curtain wall glass building will feature Frit glass, which will reflect a permanent image of the historical hotel. It pays respect to the site’s history and we hope it will stand as a new marker on this important corner of the downtown.”
“While it has taken some time for this project to come to fruition, I am very pleased by the care taken to reflect the character of the former building,” said Ward 10 Councillor Sarah Marsh. “I have no doubt this development will contribute to our increasingly thriving downtown.”
This is one of nearly 20 downtown projects currently in the development process, which will more than double the number people living in the downtown. Mixed-use developments, like One Young Street, ensure that these residents have access to amenities like shopping and restaurants as well as great employment opportunities, which is what they expect to see in a vibrant, urban environment.
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