The City of Kitchener, in partnership with Kitchener Housing Inc., is building a new mixed-use facility at 450-470 King Street. This project will combine a new municipal fire station with housing.
On this page:
- About the downtown fire station and residential development
- Proposed design
- Community benefits
- Project updates
- Budget and finances
- Photo gallery
- FAQ
- Contact us
About the Downtown fire station and residential development
The City of Kitchener is developing a unique mixed-use facility that brings together a new municipal fire station (Fire Station 8) and purpose-built rental housing. By combining essential emergency services with diverse housing options, the initiative ensures that Kitchener continues to grow as a safe, inclusive and resilient community.
This project will deliver long-term benefits for residents by improving emergency response times, expanding access to housing and fostering community through shared spaces.
Designed with sustainability and inclusivity in mind, the project reflects Kitchener’s commitment to smart urban planning and social equity. The City of Kitchener is working with partners to create a high-impact, cost-effective development that meets the evolving needs of the community.
The project is being delivered using an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model. IPD is a collaborative delivery approach that brings the owner, designers and constructors together early in the project to jointly plan, design, validate costs and manage risks before final decisions are made.
Proposed design
Design work continues for both the fire station and housing components. Key elements of the proposed design include:
- A modern fire station facility with two apparatus bays and operational support spaces.
- A multi-storey housing development integrated with the fire station, focused on maximizing housing delivery while maintaining operational functionality.
- A 19-storey residential building with stepbacks incorporated into the built form to provide a transition to the surrounding neighbourhood by low-rise residential uses.
- Community amenity space including a ground-floor indoor community room, new public plaza/urban park space, and refreshed and improved streetscape along King St. E. and Madison Ave.
Community benefits
- Improved emergency response: A new, modern fire station improves response times and enhances public safety for all. ·
- Increased housing options: A mix of below-market and market-rate rental units to help meet community housing needs for individuals and families.
- Inclusive community spaces: Rooms for training and outreach - bringing emergency services closer to the people they serve.
- Sustainable design: Designed to exceed environmental standards with features like EV charging, energy-efficient systems and green infrastructure.
- Cost-effective delivery: Built using an integrated project delivery (IPD) model to ensure efficiency, transparency and strong community outcomes.
Project updates
This innovative project brings together essential emergency services and in-demand housing to support a growing and diverse Kitchener. Here’s what is in progress:
