King James Commons (168 King Street North) | 30 m | 10 fl

[urbangeographer]

King James Commons
168 King Street North, Waterloo
Website (http://rentwaterloo.ca/)

10 storey, 35 unit apartment with 175 bedrooms targeting the student market

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20Rendering.jpg

East and West Elevations
http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20Figure%202%20East%20and%20West%20Elevations.jpg

South Elevation
http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20Figure%204%20South%20Elevation.jpg

North Elevation
http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20Figure%203%20North%20Elevation.jpg

[urbangeographer]

Not sure where to put this but I noticed driving by today that a fence is up around the old yellow house @ King and Marshall. Pretty sure there was equipment on sight as well for demolition. Is this new? Any idea what is going there?:RpS_confused:

[benjaminbach]

Not sure where to put this but I noticed driving by today that a fence is up around the old yellow house @ King and Marshall. Pretty sure there was equipment on sight as well for demolition. Is this new? Any idea what is going there?:RpS_confused:

Students

[insider]

Students

This project hasn't been reported here right?

[benjaminbach]

This project hasn't been reported here right?

No, and I haven't seen a site plan or anything, but I think I recall someone saying that - it may not be. There are a few student developments coming online in that area this year.

[myfaceisonfire]

Is there literally nothing the city can do to stop this? This is getting out of control.

[mpd618]

Is there literally nothing the city can do to stop this? This is getting out of control.

Do they actually want to do anything to stop it? As far as I know, city planners are perfectly OK with all this. And I don't believe I've seen this Waterloo City Council show leadership yet on anything planning related.

[BuildingScout]

Is there literally nothing the city can do to stop this? This is getting out of control.

Do we really want to stop student developments just a few blocks away from the Universities? that is what we did for the previous thirty years leading to the current disaster.

[WatDot]

Do we really want to stop student developments just a few blocks away from the Universities? that is what we did for the previous thirty years leading to the current disaster.

I agree. However, the City could do a better job of establishing mixed usage specially along King Street in this area. The first floor of all these student developments along King should have mandatory ground level commercial and have a set back "similar" to a few blocks up in the core of Uptown. It's fine if they are student apartments on the inside, but outside they should fit in with the rest of the community. Perhaps then we would see more condo/loft developments for non-student residents.

[mpd618]

Do we really want to stop student developments just a few blocks away from the Universities? that is what we did for the previous thirty years leading to the current disaster.

I'm perfectly fine with student housing near the universities, I just don't want it to be the kind of development that prevents the area from being a functional neighbourhood. Build nothing but 5-bedroom unit buildings that have no interaction with the street, no shops, and no diversity of residences, and you get a student ghetto - especially when those buildings deteriorate a bit.

Though honestly, I'm not sure how much more of a market there even is for this kind of unit, considering that students have a U-Pass that lowers the barrier to living further away.

[BuildingScout]

Though honestly, I'm not sure how much more of a market there even is for this kind of unit, considering that students have a U-Pass that lowers the barrier to living further away.

From what I hear, demand is strongest for new units near the universities. I.e. just the type of development listed above. New units are going for $450-550 per bedroom, while old shared houses are renting for $350-450 per bedroom depending on condition and distance from campus.

[UrbanWaterloo]

168 King Street North - October 5, 2011

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20October%205,%202011%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20October%205,%202011%20-%204%20R.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20October%205,%202011%20-%205a%20R.jpg

[markster]

I really liked this one... :(
If the Tudor-style one on the other side of King St ever goes, then I lose all hope.

[HillDweller]

Notice the siding looks like the trailer.

[benjaminbach]

168 King Street North - October 6, 2011

618

[UrbanWaterloo]

Almost down...

168 King Street North - October 13, 2011

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20October%2013,%202011%20-%201%20R.JPG

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20October%2013,%202011%20-%202a%20R.JPG

[PBE]

Almost down...

168 King Street North - October 13, 2011

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20October%2013,%202011%20-%201%20R.JPG

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20October%2013,%202011%20-%202a%20R.JPG
Interesting that this house was finished in stucco on frame to look like the cement houses built for the Snyder brothers

[benjaminbach]

This site, 168 King Street North, will be a 10 storey, 35 unit apartment with 175 bedrooms targeting the student market

[bcwessel]

This site, 168 King Street North, will be a 10 storey, 35 unit apartment with 175 bedrooms targeting the student market

This goes without saying, I'm afraid.

[UrbanWaterloo]

November 1, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20November%201,%202011%20R.JPG

[UrbanWaterloo]

More equipment has been moving in...

December 24, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20December%2024.%202011%20-%202a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20December%2024.%202011%20-%203%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20December%2024.%202011%20-%201b%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

January 11, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20January%2011,%202012%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20January%2011,%202012%20-%202%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20January%2011,%202012%20-%204%20R.jpg

[van Hemessen]

There's been a lot of activity on site lately. Any idea what's being built here? I assume student housing.

[benjaminbach]

There's been a lot of activity on site lately. Any idea what's being built here? I assume student housing.

Yes, this will be a rental building geared to the student market

[UrbanWaterloo]

Excavation...

April 9, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20April%209,%202012%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

Construction has commenced...

April 29, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20April%2029,%202012-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20April%2029,%202012-%207%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20April%2029,%202012-%208%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20April%2029,%202012-%2010%20R.jpg

[metropolis]

I saw this the other day. Is thie excavation for parking and if so how big is this sucker going to be?

[KevinL]

Has anyone come across a render on this one yet?

[Waterlooian4Life]

Yea It was on the City Council Minutes way back in the fall

[bzmwillemsen]

Yea It was on the City Council Minutes way back in the fall

Anyone care to find this and post it in the OP?

[UrbanWaterloo]

Here's the renderings...


East and West Elevations
http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20Figure%202%20East%20and%20West%20Elevations.jpg

South Elevation
http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20Figure%204%20South%20Elevation.jpg

North Elevation
http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20Figure%203%20North%20Elevation.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

Getting ready to install the crane...

May 6, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20May%206,%202012%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20May%206,%202012%20-%205%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20May%206,%202012%20-%206%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20May%206,%202012%20-%208%20R.jpg

[myfaceisonfire]

Ugh....honestly, one day the City of Waterloo is going to look back at how badly it has let itself go and regret it. These student shoeboxes will dot our skyline for many years to come - forever reminding us of what could have been.

[UrbanWaterloo]

The crane is being installed this morning...

May 15, 2012 9:30AM

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20May%2015,%202012%20930AM%20-%202%20R.jpg

[van Hemessen]

^^ Yessir, almost done. I can now see a total of 5 tower cranes from my window, all of them student housing.

[UrbanWaterloo]

And it's up, although we are losing it's neighbour (pictures later)...


May 15, 2012 - 340PM

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20May%2015,%202012%20-%20340PM%20-%201a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20May%2015,%202012%20-%20340PM%20-%202%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20May%2015,%202012%20-%20340PM%20-%203%20R.jpg


May 15, 2012 - 700PM

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20May%2015,%202012%20-%20700PM%20-%204a%20R.jpg


May 16, 2012 - 330PM

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20May%2016,%202012%20330PM%20-%202b%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20May%2016,%202012%20330PM%20-%204b%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20May%2016,%202012%20330PM%20-%205%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

Steel beams poking above ground level...

June 4, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20June%204,%202012%20-%203%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20June%204,%202012%20-%204%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20June%204,%202012%20-%205%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

June 22, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20June%2022,%202012%20-%201b%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20June%2022,%202012%20-%202%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20June%2022,%202012%20-%204b%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 11, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North,%20Waterloo%20-%20July%2011,%202012%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

3rd Floor - August 2, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/August%202,%202012/291%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

5th Floor - August 29, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/August%2029,%202012/019%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/August%2029,%202012/032%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/August%2029,%202012/033%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

Topped out at 10 floors...


October 12, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/October%2012,%202012/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20October%2012,%202012%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/October%2012,%202012/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20October%2012,%202012%20-%202%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/October%2012,%202012/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20October%2012,%202012%20-%204%20R.jpg

Sales Centre (http://rentwaterloo.ca/) @ 60 Regina Street North
http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/October%2012,%202012/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20October%2012,%202012%20-%206%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/October%2012,%202012/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20October%2012,%202012%20-%207%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

The crane came down during the past week...

November 22, 2012

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20November%2022,%202012%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20November%2022,%202012%20-%202%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20November%2022,%202012%20-%203%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20November%2022,%202012%20-%204%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20November%2022,%202012%20-%205%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20November%2022,%202012%20-%206%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20November%2022,%202012%20-%207%20R.jpg

[Trogdor]

I don't hate it. There's enough brick that it's not a stucco box and I think it blends well with the Laurier buildings a little further up King. Could it use some street presence? Of course. Could it be improved in design/aesthetics? Yes. However, I think this is not too bad for a student building in this spot. I think it beats what was there before and it will provide more student shoppers for the uptown core which is quite positive in my mind. Its height is also proportional to other buildings in the area which I consider to be a huge relief.

[van Hemessen]

22 Days to a 10-storey building. Incredible.

NOVEMBER 1:



http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/168%20King%20Street%20North%20-%20November%201,%202011%20R.JPG


NOVEMBER 22:



http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20November%2022,%202012%20-%207%20R.jpg

[Lugnut]

A year and 22 days.

[urbandreamer]

11 December 2012: But does it follow the good design bible rules?

Drive by shooting:

I used to know someone that went to this church: Never been in it myself such a mystery!
http://imageshack.us/a/img442/2393/20121211120855.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img515/5408/20121211120859.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img690/6541/20121211120905.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img528/4786/20121211120910.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

February 26, 2013

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20February%2026,%202013%20-%204%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20February%2026,%202013%20-%202a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20February%2026,%202013%20-%201%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

March 30, 2013

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20March%2030,%202013%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20March%2030,%202013%20-%203%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/168%20King%20Street%20North/King%20James%20Commons%20(168%20King%20Street%20No rth)%20-%20March%2030,%202013%20-%204%20R.jpg

[metropolis]

March 30, 2013





I know we have low design standards here in Waterloo but seriously?! The way this building meets the street is abysmal.

Getting it this wrong must take serious effort and dedication to getting it wrong. I mean they could make it less inviting and friendly feeling by stationing North Korean border guards at this prison wall and perhaps making sure they have their assault rifles at the ready but the cost benefit analysis probably showed diminishing returns there even at the low wages paid to North Korean military.

Say has anyone seen the walls outside Kingston Penn where they kept Paul Bernardo and all the other psychopaths? Then they decided to close it down because the conditions there were getting so poor. If not Google Street View that cause this building's lower floors were inspired by that. Shame shame shame...

[panamaniac]

But how do you REALLY feel about it? :RpS_laugh:

Seriously, it is going to take years for Waterloo to fix the blight of the student warehouses. Apart from a rather small city hugging the boundary with Kitchener and extending up to Waterloo Park (perhaps omitting Barrel Yards as I am not sure it will help much), Waterloo could compete in an ugliest city in Canada contest. Given its extraordinary advantages, this seems tragic. Sometimes it almost seems like a coordinated plan to make sure that huge numbers of students continue to get out of town whenever possible rather than wanting to stay and contribute to a vibrant community.

[eizenstriet]

Apart from a rather small city hugging the boundary with Kitchener and extending up to Waterloo Park (perhaps omitting Barrel Yards as I am not sure it will help much), Waterloo could compete in an ugliest city in Canada contest.

This explains why the people who live in the "rather small city hugging the boundary with Kitchener and extending up to Waterloo Park" are reluctant to give planning carte blanche to the people who devised The Brown Mile.

[luckee]

Exactly!!!