The Breithaupt Block | 16 m | 4 fl

[UrbanWaterloo]

The Breithaupt Block
Former International Automotive Components Plant
51 Breithaupt Street, Kitchener
http://www.thebreithauptblock.com/
Developer: Perimeter Development Corporation
Robertson Simmons Architects (http://www.rsarchitects.ca/projects/currentwork.asp#)
51 Breithaupt Street HIA DRAFT-July 23-10.pdf (http://icalendar.esolutionsgroup.ca/Public/GetDocument.ashx?DocumentId=74e910d6-40e2-4856-8d26-8d6c1599d7ec&IsShare=True)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iPUnsL8dmWY/TB6R7WrJ_bI/AAAAAAAAADY/H8GAmTyvYvM/s1600/bb+proposal.jpg

[Spokes]

New life for former auto parts plant
Developer plans to renovate 'strategic property' in Kitchener
June 11, 2009 | Chuck Howitt | The Record | Link (http://news.therecord.com/article/551748)


http://media.therecord.topscms.com/images/57/87/bce8394747ee8ada72e2ad052b6d.jpeg

KITCHENER - A former auto parts plant in downtown Kitchener could be turned into high-quality office and research space.

The former International Automotive Components plant, located at the corner of King and Breithaupt Streets, was recently purchased for $500,000 by David Gibson of Toronto.

Gibson is the chair of First Gulf Development Corp., a Mississauga-based commercial development firm. It is best known in this area for redeveloping Waterloo Town Square.

In an interview, he said he is retiring from First Gulf at the end of the year and purchased the Breithaupt Street plant through his own private company, Gibcor Holdings.

"It's a very strategic property, given all the things that are happening there," he said.

The plant is located on a prime downtown property in the heart of the city's "warehouse district." It is close to the new University of Waterloo health sciences campus, the Kaufman Lofts and the Lang Tannery redevelopment.

Gibson said the plant, a mishmash of old brick structures, additions and storage tanks, actually consists of four separate buildings developed over its long history.

Rather than tearing them down, he plans to gradually renovate the buildings as he can find tenants. The aim is to turn it into a "high-quality development including courtyards," he said.

"I think the market is very strong in that area for research and development and other high-tech users."

He has already hired the architectural firm Roberston Simmons to begin redesigning the property. The building has 250,000 square feet of space including basements and sits on 1.6 hectares of land.

Renovating old buildings has long been an interest of his, Gibson said.

A graduate in urban economics from Wilfrid Laurier University when it was known as Waterloo Lutheran University, he wants to continue working on projects in the Kitchener and Waterloo area, he said.

"I've always been interested in contributing to cities, doing mixed-use developments."

The facility has been empty since June 2008, when IACNA Soft Trim Canada, also known as International Automotive Components, closed the plant and put almost 90 people out of work. Gibson purchased the property from IACNA, based in Dearborn, Mich.

The original brick factory dates back to 1904, when workers began making rubber footwear at the facility.

Over its long history, the factory has also been owned by the Dominion Rubber Company, Uniroyal, Beckers Lay-Tech and Collins & Aikman.

[jay]

they have had some fires there recently... I can't see anything happening soon but i hope it does!. Get rid off the ugly parts, put underground parking, etc.. Curious on the design they come up with

[Spokes]

they have had some fires there recently... I can't see anything happening soon but i hope it does!. Get rid off the ugly parts, put underground parking, etc.. Curious on the design they come up with

Ya I'm curious too. A month or so ago I saw them removing some fuel tanks from the side next to the train tracks.

Any info on the damage the fires did?

The building's proximity to the tracks rules out any residential right?

[UrbanWaterloo]

http://www.rsarchitects.ca/images/projects/currentwork/51-breithaupt-2.jpg
http://www.rsarchitects.ca/projects/currentwork.asp#

May 31, 2010
No recent building permit, but here's two updated photos.

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/InternationalAutomotiveComponentsPl.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/InternationalAutomotiveComponent-1.jpg

[Spokes]

Ok so that is indeed the project the architect was talking about? I thought so but also thought maybe it was the old Krug Furniture factory a few blocks over.

[jay]

Here's to hoping this starts earlier than later. It's a eyesore right now and with this fixed up and the Tannery finishing up King/Victoria will be quite the corner for downtown office space.

[Urban_Enthusiast86]

Here's to hoping this starts earlier than later. It's a eyesore right now and with this fixed up and the Tannery finishing up King/Victoria will be quite the corner for downtown office space.

You bet. Now imagine what would happen to the area if it were accessible by GO, VIA, and an LRT station. I'm sure it would outstrip the tech park/north Waterloo as the most desirable office node in the region.

[DHLawrence]

Is there any way to incorporate some of the trackside sections into the anticipated multi-modal terminal?

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 14, 2010

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/51BreithauptStreetKitchener-July142.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/51BreithauptStreetKitchener-July-1.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

The Breithaupt Block
http://www.thebreithauptblock.com/

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/TheBreithauptBlock-About.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/TheBreithauptBlock-AerialView.jpg

[mpd618]

That looks decent, and redevelopment is certainly good.

The damage: They're demolishing the building on the west side of Breithaupt (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&ll=43.454414,-80.499921&spn=0.000773,0.001725&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.454241,-80.499947&panoid=6viwVxgUsUznLz7TjtIR-Q&cbp=12,354.51,,0,0.41) to build surface parking, and demolishing the building (with the colourful glass!) (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&ll=43.453688,-80.500595&spn=0.000773,0.001725&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.453642,-80.500467&panoid=f0B0H6pJeTyk-w1C62yN2w&cbp=12,15.11,,0,-6.9) that currently fronts King Street to build a different one with underground parking.

[Urban_Enthusiast86]

That looks decent, and redevelopment is certainly good.

The damage: They're demolishing the building on the west side of Breithaupt (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&ll=43.454414,-80.499921&spn=0.000773,0.001725&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.454241,-80.499947&panoid=6viwVxgUsUznLz7TjtIR-Q&cbp=12,354.51,,0,0.41) to build surface parking, and demolishing the building (with the colourful glass!) (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&ll=43.453688,-80.500595&spn=0.000773,0.001725&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.453642,-80.500467&panoid=f0B0H6pJeTyk-w1C62yN2w&cbp=12,15.11,,0,-6.9) that currently fronts King Street to build a different one with underground parking.

On the bright side, those buildings represent the ugliest part of the whole complex. I don't think they'll be missed.

Also, the future parking lot on the other side of Breithaupt will be a prime place for redevelopment down the road if Kitchener ever gets over it's fear of underground parking and doesn't cave into developers who are dead-set against anything but surface parking.

[Spokes]

Thrilled this is getting going!! A very nice mix of old and new. I can see it being the next Tannery! Does the new building look 2 or 3 floors?

Also, looks like a bit of green space between the new building and the train tracks. Should fit in nicely once the inter modal station is built!

And the various courtyards are quite nice, some good use of space there if you ask me.

Is there not a building B in that site plan? haha


That looks decent, and redevelopment is certainly good.

The damage: They're demolishing the building on the west side of Breithaupt (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&ll=43.454414,-80.499921&spn=0.000773,0.001725&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.454241,-80.499947&panoid=6viwVxgUsUznLz7TjtIR-Q&cbp=12,354.51,,0,0.41) to build surface parking, and demolishing the building (with the colourful glass!) (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&ll=43.453688,-80.500595&spn=0.000773,0.001725&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.453642,-80.500467&panoid=f0B0H6pJeTyk-w1C62yN2w&cbp=12,15.11,,0,-6.9) that currently fronts King Street to build a different one with underground parking.

You know what, Its not THAT much damage. Theres already a ton of surface parking right there, and that building doesn't have any redevelopment potential, so a bit more is ok in my books. Plus it allows for future development of the site.

As for the demolishing of the King st building, while it's not ideal, and it will be missed, the new building looks really nice and modern and should contrast the old ones nicely.


On the bright side, those buildings represent the ugliest part of the whole complex. I don't think they'll be missed.

Also, the future parking lot on the other side of Breithaupt will be a prime place for redevelopment down the road if Kitchener ever gets over it's fear of underground parking and doesn't cave into developers who are dead-set against anything but surface parking.

I think that eventually the property will become valuable enough that the owner would not hesitate to develop it or sell it to another developer.

[jay]

Great news, that building was a eyesore, and the king st part with the glass won't be missed as spokes said.

[Spokes]

Just noticed, Building A is only 2 floors. That kind of sucks, was hoping for 3. I wonder if they're just recladding the existing structure or rebuilding. Would just cladding in glass work?

[smably]

Based on the site plan on the web site, the building facing King is being reclad, not demolished. The footprint is exactly the same as the existing building. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be getting surface parking between Building A and the tracks -- not that that is any worse than what's there now (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&t=h&layer=c&cbll=43.453472,-80.499976&panoid=f1Sxcdqt_w1uSqOlrfWgiQ&cbp=12,5.41,,0,8.06&ll=43.453546,-80.499793&spn=0.002724,0.003471&z=19). The site plan mentions "future underground parking", whatever that means.

Still, I give this project an A-. Replace surface parking with greenspace or high-quality buildings with underground parking and it gets an A. Replace the two-story building facing King with a 6-storey building with ground-floor retail and it gets an A+.

I love the courtyards, I love that they are retaining most of the historic buildings, and I love that downtown Kitchener is getting another 186,000 square feet of office space.

[Spokes]

Based on the site plan on the web site, the building facing King is being reclad, not demolished. The footprint is exactly the same as the existing building. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be getting surface parking between Building A and the tracks -- not that that is any worse than what's there now (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&t=h&layer=c&cbll=43.453472,-80.499976&panoid=f1Sxcdqt_w1uSqOlrfWgiQ&cbp=12,5.41,,0,8.06&ll=43.453546,-80.499793&spn=0.002724,0.003471&z=19). The site plan mentions "future underground parking", whatever that means.


Really? From the drawing I thought it looked like some green space/grass peeking in around that area. There'll be a small area there between A and the tracks, but it still to me looks green. Try zooming in on the image. See if you see the same thing.

EDIT: Nevermind, didnt realize the "site plan" was a link and it clearly shows surface parking there. Well that's a shame. Down the road it could get built up, but I doubt it. While it's not ideal, assuming an inter modal station is built next door, that should help overshadow the surface lot.


Still, I give this project an A-. Replace surface parking with greenspace or high-quality buildings with underground parking and it gets an A. Replace the two-story building facing King with a 6-storey building with ground-floor retail and it gets an A+.

Oh ya, that'd be quite the proposal! Or even combine your A and A+ projects. Let building A stay 2 storeys, but then where that space is between A and the tracks, make that a 6 storey mini tower that steps up off of A. THAT would look great.


I love the courtyards, I love that they are retaining most of the historic buildings, and I love that downtown Kitchener is getting another 186,000 square feet of office space.

I love them too. The one furthest away from King st looks cool, looks like its a couple steps up off the road. I think each one has the potential to have a really cool feeling to it.

[DHLawrence]

Based on the site plan on the web site, the building facing King is being reclad, not demolished. The footprint is exactly the same as the existing building. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be getting surface parking between Building A and the tracks -- not that that is any worse than what's there now (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=breithaupt+%26+moore,+kitchener,+on&sll=43.443049,-80.501528&sspn=0.097964,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Breithaupt+St+%26+Moore+Ave,+Kitchener,+Wate rloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario,+Canada&t=h&layer=c&cbll=43.453472,-80.499976&panoid=f1Sxcdqt_w1uSqOlrfWgiQ&cbp=12,5.41,,0,8.06&ll=43.453546,-80.499793&spn=0.002724,0.003471&z=19). The site plan mentions "future underground parking", whatever that means.

Whatever they do on that side has to be easily removed in case the rail corridor expands. If/when an intermodal station is built at that corner they might need the space on the other side of the tracks.

[diego]

Just noticed, Building A is only 2 floors. That kind of sucks, was hoping for 3. I wonder if they're just recladding the existing structure or rebuilding. Would just cladding in glass work?

Hoping for 3? I was hoping for at least 6 in the part of it facing King, something like what they did for the Pharmacy building.

[Spokes]

A couple interesting things from the site plan that I noticed. First, that there is a driveway separating buildings A and C-G. Hopefully that does indeed lead to underground parking down the road. How easy is that to dig under an existing building though?

Another cool thing is in the surface lot across the street that Hybrids and Carpool cars are given priority parking spots. I wonder where there is bike parking?


Hoping for 3? I was hoping for at least 6 in the part of it facing King, something like what they did for the Pharmacy building.

Ya of course I wanted 6+, but looking at the drawing it was clear that it wasnt happening, so I was hoping it was at least 3, but it's two, with what looks like a little raised part on top.

[RangersFan]

Hoping for 3? I was hoping for at least 6 in the part of it facing King, something like what they did for the Pharmacy building.

I agree with that

[dunkalunk]

Whatever they do on that side has to be easily removed in case the rail corridor expands. If/when an intermodal station is built at that corner they might need the space on the other side of the tracks.

+1

I'd rather they have easily removable surface parking there in the short term, because when LRT does get built, the rail corridor will need to be raised regardless and some expansion of the corridor would also be prudent.

[mpd618]

There's some more info and another angle (http://mhbpna.blogspot.com/2010/06/breithaupt-block-coming-to-our.html) at the blog for the Mt. Hope - Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association. I take back my lukewarm praise and say that this looks like quite a good project.

[Spokes]

+1

I'd rather they have easily removable surface parking there in the short term, because when LRT does get built, the rail corridor will need to be raised regardless and some expansion of the corridor would also be prudent.

Im not 100% sure what you guys mean when you talk about that, can you elaborate a bit?

[Spokes]

There's some more info and another angle (http://mhbpna.blogspot.com/2010/06/breithaupt-block-coming-to-our.html) at the blog for the Mt. Hope - Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association. I take back my lukewarm praise and say that this looks like quite a good project.

Thanks for the article! I noticed that Perimeter Development Corp headed up by Craig Beatty a former First Gulf employee is doing the project. I wonder if he is in business with David Gibson (another former First Gulf employee). The original article said Gibson's company, Gibcor Holdings was going to do it. I wonder if he's still involved or if he sold it to his friend so he could focus on other projects for Gibcor (ie.Cambridge's Main Street Facelift (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/showthread.php/563-Cambridge-s-Main-Street-Facelift))

Edit: The article also mentions Perimeter Development bought property in downtown Galt. So Im thinking Gibcor Holdings is no more and it's been replaced with Perimeter Development.

[Spokes]

So looking at the project from another perspective...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iPUnsL8dmWY/TB6R7WrJ_bI/AAAAAAAAADY/H8GAmTyvYvM/s1600/bb+proposal.jpg

... the parking beside building A doesn't bother me that much. Its not ideal, but its not the end of the world.

[smably]

Edit: The article also mentions Perimeter Development bought property in downtown Galt. So Im thinking Gibcor Holdings is no more and it's been replaced with Perimeter Development.
My guess is that Perimeter is one of Gibcor's holdings.

[DHLawrence]

Im not 100% sure what you guys mean when you talk about that, can you elaborate a bit?

The surface parking will be trackside, which is currently a rather narrow path. If an underpass is put in for King Street and/or an intermodal rail/transit station is built across the tracks from this development, the space may be needed--for a retaining wall in the case of an underpass and for platforms in the case of a station.

[Spokes]

The surface parking will be trackside, which is currently a rather narrow path. If an underpass is put in for King Street and/or an intermodal rail/transit station is built across the tracks from this development, the space may be needed--for a retaining wall in the case of an underpass and for platforms in the case of a station.

Ohh ok, I follow now. Is an underpass being discussed? As in the train tracks would go under King st? I guess that'd be helpful if/when GO rolls through and VIA service increases.

Might an underpass happen regardless of the intermodal station? Train platforms and then the underpass.

[DHLawrence]

I haven't heard anything, but I haven't seen light rail cross heavy rail tracks except in vintage photos.

[mpd618]

Ohh ok, I follow now. Is an underpass being discussed? As in the train tracks would go under King st? I guess that'd be helpful if/when GO rolls through and VIA service increases.

The draft plans call for light rail (and just the light rail) to dive under the mainline tracks. However all of this is really subject to change due to plans for the multimodal terminal (which you can't really start planning until you have funding for LRT and the GO extension).

[Spokes]

I haven't heard anything, but I haven't seen light rail cross heavy rail tracks except in vintage photos.

Oh man, I didn't even think of that issue haha.

[Spokes]

And back to discussing The Breithaupt Block!!

[Greg Moore]

So looking at the project from another perspective...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iPUnsL8dmWY/TB6R7WrJ_bI/AAAAAAAAADY/H8GAmTyvYvM/s1600/bb+proposal.jpg

... the parking beside building A doesn't bother me that much. Its not ideal, but its not the end of the world.

That picture has a lot of green space that will simply never be there. Look at the area around the rails. It's obviously been photohacked to make the project prettier on paper than it will be in reality.

[Spokes]

That picture has a lot of green space that will simply never be there. Look at the area around the rails. It's obviously been photohacked to make the project prettier on paper than it will be in reality.

I think to an extent they photoshopped it, but I think we'll see the grass along King, or some kind of landscaping, and that grass burm along the rail tracks I would guess would be there temporarilly.

[Spokes]

The banner on the side of the building that UrbanWaterloo posted a picture of going up, looks awesome. It wraps around the entire side of the building. Who needs billboards!

[KevinL]

The banner on the side of the building that UrbanWaterloo posted a picture of going up, looks awesome. It wraps around the entire side of the building. Who needs billboards!

Yes, saw it this morning. Three sides! Quite unmistakable, very bold.

[Spokes]

Yes, saw it this morning. Three sides! Quite unmistakable, very bold.

Bold is good though. Bold isn't something we see a ton of around here. And I for one want to see more of it!

Im sure they're bringing some serious marketing connections with them from First Gulf. Any other big city, projects get marketed non stop. Hopefully that happens here. And dont just market it in town, market it in other towns too, get their business!

[jay]

Developer turning old boot factory into trendy commercial space


July 19, 2010
BY MELINDA DALTON, RECORD STAFF

KITCHENER — For more than a century, boots and auto parts were the products rolling off the line at the industrial buildings on King and Breithaupt streets.

But, as a second life is breathed into its yellow bricks by a Toronto-area developer, the complex could soon be known as the home base for a new generation of local innovation.

When its first phase opens next summer, The Breithaupt Block, as it’s been named by developer Perimeter Development Corp., will offer 175,000 square feet of trendy commercial space targeted primarily at the high-tech, research and creative sectors.

“In terms of people who like that type of space, they’re creative thinkers,” said David Gibson of Perimeter. “That’s the type of people we’re going after — design oriented type companies and the like. There are many good examples of this type of mix in Toronto and we think there’s a real demand for it in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.”

The developer added a slick wrap advertising the space on the face of old factory last week and has already seen significant interest.

Gibson — the former CEO of First Gulf Development, which was responsible for the redevelopment of a significant stretch of Uptown Waterloo — bought the complex in June 2009. Perimeter is also in the process of redeveloping several properties in downtown Galt.

Workers have spent the last year taking out 12,000 tonnes of heavy machinery from the former Kitchener auto parts plant. Clearing out the buildings is expected to take another month.

The complex — parts of which date back to 1903 — will see much of its exterior heritage features maintained with modern courtyards and drive ways added to break up the buildings into distinct sites.

The building at the corner of Breithaupt and King streets will get the most significant exterior makeover, with a modern glass facelift and the potential addition of an 50 to 60 space underground parking structure in what is now a basement. Gibson said they’re now looking for a signature tenant to occupy that 44,000 square foot space.

The other five buildings in the complex will be cleaned up, but their historical character will remain in tact, according to the developer. All six buildings will be leased out in stages.

In total, the site will have around 350 parking spaces, including those in lots across the street.

The building originated as the Merchants Rubber plant — a joint venture between Jacob Kaufman and T. H. Rieder — and started production of rubber for footwear in 1904. The company was later taken over by Canadian Rubber, then U.S. Rubber and, in 1926, Dominion Rubber.

Before the Second World War, the factory turned out more than 15,000 shoes a day. In 1944, Dominion bought up the adjacent and abandoned Old Berlin Piano factory, adding it to the production complex.

The complex further expanded in 1956 with the construction of the angled King and Breithaupt street building. The last rubber boots rolled off the line in 1966 and the plant became part of the general products division of Uniroyal Ltd.

The sign on the factory continued to change — from Beckers Lay-Tech to Perstorp Components to Collins & Aikman Corp. and finally International Automotive Components — until production stopped for good in 2008.

Rod Regier, the city’s head of economic development, said it’s encouraging to see the private sector respond so positively to change spearheaded by the city, which initiated significant spending to spur on development in the core in 2005.

“I expect that when this project is completed we will have at least 500 more people working in that block than were working there when Collins and Aikman was manufacturing car parts on the site,” he said.

Perimeter is in the midst of the site plan approval process and hope to have their final approvals completed by the end of the summer.

The company will have to complete a Heritage Impact Assessment before final approval is given, said the city’s interim director of planning, Alain Pinard. Because there is no need to rezone for this type of development, it does not need to go through a public process.

The other high-profile commercial redevelopment project in the core, the Tannery complex, drew significant public outcry when it became clear the developer planned on demolishing four former warehouse buildings to make way for temporary parking.

The power house building on Breithaupt, opposite the main buildings, will need to be demolished to make room for parking on that site, but it not part of the complex’s original structure.

Pinard said there is a difference between the two projects because the Breithaupt buildings are small compared to the ones proposed for demolition at the tannery.

The Tannery already has its site plan approved in principle. Final approvals could come as early as next week, according to city staff. Demolition can’t begin until that happens.

The Breithaupt Block developer hopes to start construction and some of the demolition work in the fall.

Gibson said he is not concerned about oversaturation in the market for the type of trendy office space that his revamped buildings will offer. He said there’s already a push on for companies to move out of the region’s north suburbs and into areas with walkable amenities.

“One of the exciting things about buildings like Breithaupt is there’s a huge demand for buildings like this,” he said. “There’s so many good things happening on that corner — it’s going to be the new centre of the universe for the Kitchener-Waterloo region, in my opinion.”

[Spokes]

Great article. Im really excited about this project. I think this could be one of those things that starts to get the ball rolling into "mid town"

[Spokes]

A new life for old factories

July 22, 2010
Editorial

By next summer, a sprawling old factory complex near Kitchener’s core will be transformed, as the first phase opens in a redevelopment project called the Breithaupt Block.

The yellow brick buildings, some of which date back more than a century, have sat vacant for two years after having housed a plant making rubber boots and auto parts factories. Now, a developer with a proven track record plans to retain the historic character of the six buildings, while filling them with trendy, creative commercial tenants.

The move is a welcome one, on several fronts.

First, the development will revive buildings that have sat empty and underused for years, garnering graffiti and an increasingly forlorn look. It is never healthy for a city to have large pockets of derelict buildings, and the rebirth of this substantial block of buildings will bring new life to the area.

Second, as the city’s supply of suburban undeveloped commercial land dwindles, it makes sense to revitalize the many obsolete industrial sites that pockmark the downtown and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The district around the old Breithaupt buildings is surging: renewal began with the hugely successful Kaufman Lofts redevelopment that turned the historic factory into 270 loft units, then a school of pharmacy and health sciences buildings went up in new, strikingly designed buildings, followed by the redevelopment of the massive Lang Tannery complex, where the Communitech Digital Media and Mobile Accelerator centre is set to open later this summer.

The Tannery project, though, provides a cautionary tale. The developer, Cadan Inc., ran into a snag when it proposed razing four smaller older buildings in the complex to make way for a parking lot. Redevelopment is often a tricky balance between preserving old and creating new. In a city such as Kitchener, which has lost so many of its important heritage buildings, the loss of even less significant ones can seem tragic.

But this is also a city that has seen its downtown slide into decay over decades. To see entrepreneurs risk their own money to revive that core, in ways that creatively preserve much of the historic feel of the sites is surely better than to simply retain those old buildings and allow them to sit empty and decrepit. To add new conditions to an innovative development already underway will simply discourage other such projects.

This new phase for the Breithaupt Block will continue the trend of new residents and new jobs in what was once a very quiet part of town.

http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/Editorials/article/748831

[Ktown4ever]

Would love to see a new LCBO store go here! The LCBO in the plaza is too small, limited selection and limited store hours.

[Spokes]

Would love to see a new LCBO store go here! The LCBO in the plaza is too small, limited selection and limited store hours.

Where? I was under the impression this was all office space.

I'd like to see the LCBO and everything else in that plaza move right into the core and that whole thing torn up and redeveloped.

[BuildingScout]

I'd like to see the LCBO and everything else in that plaza move right into the core and that whole thing torn up and redeveloped.

Hear hear, that plaza is an eyesore.

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

“One of the exciting things about buildings like Breithaupt is there’s a huge demand for buildings like this,” he said. “There’s so many good things happening on that corner — it’s going to be the new centre of the universe for the Kitchener-Waterloo region, in my opinion.”

Really? When compared up against Erb & Caroline? Somehow I tend to disagree. Close though. ;)

[Spokes]

Really? When compared up against Erb & Caroline? Somehow I tend to disagree. Close though. ;)

Ya that's quite the statement, but I like the confidence!

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 22, 2010

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-1b.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-2.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-3.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-4.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-5.jpg

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http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-7c.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-8.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-9.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-10.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-11.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-12.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-13.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-15a.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-16.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-17c.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-18.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-19.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-20.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-21.jpg

[KevinL]

I hope they keep all that climbing ivy on the end building; lots of charm with that.

[Rowe]

Its about time these buildings get a chance. Got to do a redevelopment close to this same area, happy to see there is finally a start to something fresh.

[UrbanWaterloo]

The Underground - August 23, 2010

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-August232010-2.jpg

A home of Hannibal Lecter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal_Lecter)? :scared1:
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-August232010-3.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-August232010-6.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-August232010-7.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

The previous photos were just a bit of fun looking into the structure, the ceilings in the basement must be 20 feet high.

Here's a nice rendering of the office space: http://www.rsarchitects.ca/projects/currentwork.asp

http://www.rsarchitects.ca/images/projects/currentwork/51-breithaupt-2.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

Heritage Kitchener Committee Meeting
August 31, 2010 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (http://icalendar.esolutionsgroup.ca/Module.aspx?PMID=18633f4c-646c-447b-bb3f-ed259dffc9cb&Type=Search&Start=08/01/2010&End=08/31/2010&Page=1&PageSize=25&CID=788f55ed-38a4-4359-b9bc-c3a31c915729&S=2010-08-31%2016:00:00Z&E=2010-08-31%2018:00:00Z)
Meeting will take place in the Conestoga Room, ground floor, Kitchener City Hall.

Delegations
Item 2 - Owen Scott, the Landplan Collaborative Ltd.
- Craig Beattie, Perimeter Development
- Duncan Bates, Robertson Simmons Architects

Discussion Items
2. Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) - 51 Breithaupt Street (Breithaupt Block) (30 min)

51 Breithaupt Street HIA DRAFT-July 23-10.pdf (http://icalendar.esolutionsgroup.ca/Public/GetDocument.ashx?DocumentId=74e910d6-40e2-4856-8d26-8d6c1599d7ec&IsShare=True)
36666442&access_key=key-1t83cpk116yexahfm085&page

[benjaminbach]

This bodes well for the quality of the conversion. Allied is a major commercial REIT. They own the 90,000 sq ft brick and beam office building at 72 Victoria Street South, across from the Tannery

Major developer takes stake in Breithaupt Block project
TheRecord.com - Business - Record staff


KITCHENER – The developer of the Breithaupt Block has taken on a partner to help it turn the former Kitchener boot factory into office space.

Perimeter Development Corp. has signed a deal to sell a 50-per-cent stake in the project to Allied Properties REIT, a Toronto-based developer that specializes in adaptive re-use of urban industrial buildings. The deal, expected to close Dec. 1, is worth $4 million.

The Breithaupt Block consists of six former industrial buildings, containing about 176,000 square feet of space, at Breithaupt and King streets in Kitchener’s warehouse district.

Merchant Rubber used the original building to produce rubber boots, starting in 1904. More recently, the buildings were used to make auto parts. The buildings were vacated in 2008 when International Automotive Components shut down its operations here.

Perimeter and Allied plan to develop the buildings into Class 1 office space, with completion scheduled for the middle of 2013.

“This is a great opportunity for us to augment our position in the warehouse district of Kitchener and to develop a working relationship with an accomplished developer in the area,” Michael Emory, chief executive officer of Allied, said Wednesday in a news release.

Allied is familiar with the warehouse district. It owns 72 Victoria St., a former wooden seat plant that was turned into office space in 1999.

In total, Allied owns properties in Kitchener, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary and Quebec City containing a total of about six million square feet of office space.

Allied, a publicly traded real estate investment trust, said Perimeter will oversee the redevelopment of the Breithaupt Block and manage the property.

Perimeter, which acquired the Breithaupt Block in 2009, also has a project on the go to redevelop a section of Main Street in the Galt section of Cambridge. David Gibson, the Toronto-based firm’s founder, formerly was the chair of First Gulf Development Corp., the company that redeveloped the Waterloo Town Square.

from http://news.therecord.com/Business/article/810605

[UrbanWaterloo]

If you're interested in checking out this building, there will be a factory tour from Noon-1PM this Saturday.

www.boxartshow.ca
http://www.boxartshow.ca/images/stories/box10poster.jpg

[benjaminbach]

I second what UrbanWaterloo said: Go check out Box10 art show tomorrow.
There is some very cool art in a space to match
http://www.benjaminbach.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG00145-20101113-1415-1024x768.jpg

[van Hemessen]

July 22, 2010

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Kitchener/Breithaupt%20Block/TheBreithauptBlock-July222010-21.jpg

I wish they weren't tearing this building down. It's a beautiful example of post-war modern architecture.

[Spokes]

I wish they weren't tearing this building down. It's a beautiful example of post-war modern architecture.

Ya while it's not ideal, Im ok with it because it'll pave the way for that lot to be developed down the road (Breithapt Block Phase 2 anyone?) which would likely have underground parking for both office sites.

[panamaniac]

If there were a "phaseII", I'd like it to be residential. I'd like to see more development where people can basically live and work in the same neighbourhood.

[BuildingScout]

If there were a "phaseII", I'd like it to be residential.

Noooooooooo! not next to the train tracks!!

Otherwise everytime the LRT or GO frequency needs to be increased we'll have a bunch of vocal NIMBY yuppies complaining about it: "screw the city, I _deserve_ the right to use my backyard of the house I built right next to the existing train tracks".

[mpd618]

Otherwise everytime the LRT or GO frequency needs to be increased we'll have a bunch of vocal NIMBY yuppies complaining about it: "screw the city, I _deserve_ the right to use my backyard of the house I built right next to the existing train tracks".

It could be rental units.

[Spokes]

Residential in that lot might not be that bad, there's already a fair amount of existing residential around there and we don't hear too much from them.

[IEFBR14]

Noooooooooo! not next to the train tracks!!
I recall reading several years ago about someone who bought an apartment building without realizing how difficult it would be to sell/rent units with a railway track running behind the property. So he decided to make lemonade out of the lemon. He refurbished the units making provision for people with disabilities, especially hearing. For example he put in a series lights in each unit that would come on when someone rang the doorbell in the lobby or when the telephone rang, etc. The marginal cost of catering to the needs of hearing challenged people wasn't very high. The beauty of it was that he could then market the building specifically to that demographic. And yes, the place was soon filled with people who didn't have any reason to care about any noise the trains were making.

Perhaps general residential might not be such a good idea, but how about something like a retirement home?

I also think current soundproof technologies can make even apartments that look out onto railway tracks quiet and liveable. I've stayed at enough airport hotels or that back onto busy highways to know that it's possible to get a good night's sleep if the architect designed the building properly.

[markster]

I also think current soundproof technologies can make even apartments that look out onto railway tracks quiet and liveable. I've stayed at enough airport hotels or that back onto busy highways to know that it's possible to get a good night's sleep if the architect designed the building properly.
I was partly familiar with a development that considered building right at the corner of the 404/401, and for the soundproofing, it was only about a 50% upgrade in the window/siding thickness. To be fair, this was a commercial development, so this may be an apples/oranges comparison.

[panamaniac]

Noooooooooo! not next to the train tracks!!

Otherwise everytime the LRT or GO frequency needs to be increased we'll have a bunch of vocal NIMBY yuppies complaining about it: "screw the city, I _deserve_ the right to use my backyard of the house I built right next to the existing train tracks".

I must be confusing the site that was being discussed - I thought it was the parking lot that will be north of the Breithaupt Block. That site would be no more affected by the train tracks that would the Kaufman Building.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Box 10 Art Show & Sale - November 13, 2010

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2954%20Resized.jpg http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2957%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2965%20Resized.jpg http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2968%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2970%20Resized.jpg http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2973%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2979%20Resized.jpg

[KevinL]

Wow! I can see those gearwheels making an excellent lobby centrepiece someday! Great stuff.

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2968%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/SAM_2970%20Resized.jpg

These pictures make me wonder if there is an urban exploring album kicking around somewhere for this building...say, something similar to a photo tour (http://www.uer.ca/locations/viewgal.asp?locid=26168&galid=22718) for the Tiger Lofts (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/showthread.php/213-Tiger-Lofts-m-4-fl-Complete) in Cambridge before they were redeveloped.

[mpd618]

The Mt. Hope - Breithaupt blog has some photos and descriptions from a tour (http://mhbpna.blogspot.com/2010/12/inside-breithaupt-block.html) of the Breithaupt Block buildings.

[benjaminbach]

Just a quick note, Allied REIT has now closed on the previously announced acquisition of 50% interest in the redevelopment project from Perimeter Development Corp

[Rowe]

With the new transit station moving in across the tracks, I could see this development getting some exciting tenants.

[Spokes]

Just a quick note, Allied REIT has now closed on the previously announced acquisition of 50% interest in the redevelopment project from Perimeter Development Corp

So what does this mean for the project?

[benjaminbach]

So what does this mean for the project?

It will continue as planned. Allied had previously announced that they had agreed to buy the 50% interest; this announcement was Allied saying they have closed on the deal, meaning they have paid Perimeter and now are 50% owners in the redevelopment.

[Spokes]

I was just looking at the site plan for this project again and Im really pumped for it. I don't think they'll have that hard of a time finding clients either. They want to lease out the smaller spaces first which makes sense. And while this seems like a huge building from outside, it's more like lots of smaller ones (much like the Tannery). They'll just have to lease out a number of smaller spaces and a few big ones. In buildings C-G there are 21 units between 2,000 and 13,000 sq ft. I always assumed they were much larger. This should make leasing easier.

The tougher thing will come with the King St fronting building A. They want to ideally lease it to one tenant (which makes sense) but that's 44,000 sq ft.

[benjaminbach]

With Allied involved, they'll have an easier time renting the space out. They have terrific tenant relationships, and they'll bring some of these with them.

[Land Baron]

Do we know when construction will start on this development? Do they need to sign an anchor tenant first? This is another major boost for this part of the downtown. With this and the new transit station my guess is anyone who owns a Kaufman loft will be laughing...

[Spokes]

Do we know when construction will start on this development? Do they need to sign an anchor tenant first? This is another major boost for this part of the downtown. With this and the new transit station my guess is anyone who owns a Kaufman loft will be laughing...

My understanding is they want to lease out all the small units before going after a big anchor tenant.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Looks like we'll see activity on the site this year...

PERMIT IS FOR THE DEMOLITION OF 4 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AT 20-24 BREITHAUPT ST
Permit No 11109608
Site Address 20-24 BREITHAUPT ST
Status Under Review
Permit Category Non-Residential Demolition
Permit Type Industrial
Application Date March 08, 2011
Issued By
Issue Date
Final Date
Work Proposed Demolition Non-Res

PERMIT IS FOR THE PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
Permit No 11109623
Site Address 51 BREITHAUPT ST
Status Application
Permit Category Non-Residential Demolition
Permit Type Industrial
Application Date March 08, 2011
Issued By
Issue Date
Final Date
Work Proposed Demo Partial Non-Res

[speed]

Building 'A' gets the black glass wall of windows.
All the other buildings are getting Dashwood black vinyl windows with black grills, same as the Tannery.
Lots of demolition to be done first so maybe later this year the window installation will begin.
Looks like another awesome transformation similar to the Tannery.

On a sad note, the building was home to quite a few "homeless" who have now been removed.

[fin2limb]

Yeah, they recently removed a whole bunch of those "chimney" things that jutted out from the roof... (sorry I have no idea what they're called). You can see them in this older picture..


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c340/smilingjackchance/Picture8-11.png

[KevinL]

Most of the tall ones would indeed have been chimneys, though some were likely vent stacks or other similar industrial apparatus.

[bzmwillemsen]

I cannot wait until this is cleaned up.
Hopefully it will be nearing completion around the same time that the new train station is to be completed. It will really clean up this whole area.

[mpd618]

Hopefully it will be nearing completion around the same time that the new train station is to be completed. It will really clean up this whole area.

I'm pretty sure this will be done way sooner than a multi-modal terminal.

[KevinL]

I'm pretty sure this will be done way sooner than a multi-modal terminal.

Quite so - this is the refurbishing of existing buildings, the terminal is quite a bit more.

[WaterlooNative]

On a sad note, the building was home to quite a few "homeless" who have now been removed.

Any word on what the City or Region (or other groups in the area) has done to assist these people? I know Waterloo recently became home to the SHOW building which has become an excellent stepping stone to assist those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

[ramynassar]

They are now starting to provide some updates and news via Twitter @breithauptblock - http://www.twitter.com/breithauptblock

Cheers

[markster]

CTV news is going to have a piece on the Breithaupt Block momentarily.

[edit] And... it's over. Not really that interesting.

[UrbanWaterloo]

I didn't get a chance to see the newscast, but I imagine they were likely covering the Block Party...


http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt Block/The Breithaupt Block - Block Party - image002.jpg

May 26, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20Block%20Party%20-%20May%2026,%202011%20-%201%20Resized.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20Block%20Party%20-%20May%2026,%202011%20-%202%20Resized.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20Block%20Party%20-%20May%2026,%202011%20-%203%20Resized.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20Block%20Party%20-%20May%2026,%202011%20-%204%20Resized.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20Block%20Party%20-%20May%2026,%202011%20-%205%20Resized.jpg

[John Lind]

373374375

It is beautiful under years of dirt and paint.

[markster]

Do we know any tenants yet?

[John Lind]

Not yet but the groups that are considering the BB are fantastic companies and would create a great vibe to the development. We have 2 new groups looking at it this week.

[RangersFan]

Looks great so far

[UWaterloo]

Looking good. Can't wait to see this development finished as it will greatly improve this particular section of King St.

[panamaniac]

It had never occurred to me that you could sandblast wood. If that is what they've done, it looks brilliant! And that yellow brick is classic Kitchener.

[ramynassar]

We've been regularly posting picture galleries to the BB facebook page if you are interested, feel free to check out:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Breithaupt-Block/115128881908907
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Breithaupt-Block/115128881908907)
Cheers,
Ramy

[Dagmar]

Apparently there was a fire in one of the buildings today: http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/557636--fire-in-old-factory-blocks-downtown-kitchener-road

Anyone have any news on this? Hope the damage was minimal.

[smably]

WRPS (http://www.wrps.on.ca/news/incident-reports-july-4-2011-update) reports that there were no injuries and "no damage to the building involved".

[UrbanWaterloo]

Took a tour of construction 2 weeks ago. This development has awesome potential, in particular I thought the red triangle roofed room on the top floor would be a cool place to work. The restored wood looks amazing, and there's high ceilings along with historic brick everywhere you look!


June 23, 2011

Exterior

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%201%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%202%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%204%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%205a%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%206%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%207%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%208%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%209%20Resized.jpg

Steel beams are staying.
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Exterior%20-%2010a%20Resized.jpg


Interior

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%201a%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%201b%20Resized.jpg

To be put on display.
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%201c%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%202a%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%203%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%204a%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%204b%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%205a%20Resized.jpg

Large spaces.
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%205b%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%206a%20Resized.jpg

Character :RpS_cool:
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%206c%20Resized.jpg

A future boardroom?
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%206d%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%206f%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%207a%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%207b%20Resized.jpg

One of my favourite spaces.
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%208%20Resized.jpg

An Office View, soon to include the Intermodal Station (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/showthread.php?t=565)
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%209a%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%209b%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%209c%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%209d%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%2010a%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%2010d%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%2010e%20Resized.jpg

Former lift.
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%2010f%20Resized.jpg

Even the stairwell doesn't look 'generic'.
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%2011a%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%2011b%20Resized.jpg

Old Radiator
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%2011c%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/June%2023,%202011/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20June%2023,%202011%20-%20Interior%20-%2012%20Resized.jpg

[Matt2727]

This is such an awesome project! I cant wait to see it transform.

[MidTowner]

Thanks a lot for those interior photos! The place looks amazing, truly unique. I can't wait to see what it does for the area when tenancies finally begin- as others have said, this is a great "push" in that direction.

[myfaceisonfire]

Pictures of spaces like this make me want to start a company, just so I can move it there! Future WonderfulWaterloo world headquarters:RpS_drool:

[fin2limb]

Thanks for sharing. I'm always excited to see how this project is progressing.

[tomthip]

Great pics!

Anyone care to comment on the piles of sand (dust?) that have been swept up in to quadrants - lining up to the posts? What is it for?

[mikeyp]

Does anyone know if there was a rough estimate made about how many people would be working here? I know it's impossible to know for sure but did anyone ballpark the number? Also, with this development and the Lang and the new intermodal station, do you believe with all the new jobs in this general area that new developments such as restaurants and condos will start coming in? I'd have to imagine that the U-Haul and Ziggy's block is now prime land for intensification.

[mpd618]

Does anyone know if there was a rough estimate made about how many people would be working here? I know it's impossible to know for sure but did anyone ballpark the number?

It's 175,000 square feet. Apparently 200 square feet per person is average right now, making that space sufficient for roughly 900 employees.

[van Hemessen]

Great pics!

Anyone care to comment on the piles of sand (dust?) that have been swept up in to quadrants - lining up to the posts? What is it for?

My guess is it's left over from sandblasting and the most logical way to clean it up was to sweep it into quadrants.

[KevinL]

I'd have to imagine that the U-Haul and Ziggy's block is now prime land for intensification.

Indeed - and even closer to Breithaupt, the former Tim Hortons across King (and maybe even more of that plaza) could easily see replacement with higher density.

[The_Architect]

It's fantastic that projects like these are happening in dt Kitchener instead of tearing them down and building some glass building in its place (which is what would happen in many other cities). It not only gets rid of a former eyesore right in downtown, but it retains the character of the area and acknowledges the history of what the city was.

[UWaterloo]

I'm a fan of the factory conversions in downtown. Colliers Int'l has been advertising this property quite a bit. Can't wait to see it finished and the area surrounding it transformed.

[speed]

3 Sample windows were installed today for them to choose a color
Grey
Black same as Tannery
Dark Brown
Once a choice is made, the windows will be ordered and installation will begin in August
and likely continue until there are all replaced, unlike the Tannery where they waited for
leases to be signed before doing the windows. At this point it seems likely they will just proceed
and replace them all.

[MidTowner]

I saw some activity here on the way in this morning. A fire truck was on Breithaupt, and they had cordoned off the street. The lights on the truck were on, but firefighters were milling about, so it hardly seemed like an emergency (I had also seen back hoes doing there thing).

Does anyone else in the neighbourhood happen to know what they might have been up to?

[BM6]

Probably a false alarm. With all the sandblasting and other work going on lately there have been a number of alarms there lately. One small fire a couple of weeks ago as well.

[mpd618]

I saw some activity here on the way in this morning. A fire truck was on Breithaupt, and they had cordoned off the street. The lights on the truck were on, but firefighters were milling about, so it hardly seemed like an emergency (I had also seen back hoes doing there thing).

It was a fire (http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/570577--suspicious-fire-leaves-nine-homeless) in a house on Breithaupt St.

[MidTowner]

Thanks for the info, mpd. Good to hear no one was hurt. To stay on topic, I'm pretty impressed with the progress that they're making on the site: they seem to nearly have the smaller building down on the north side of Breithaupt.

[mpd618]

Creating ‘cool’ spaces for the Tech Triangle - The Globe and Mail
August 08, 2011 | Jennifer Lewington | The Globe and Mail | Link (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/property-report/creating-cool-spaces-for-the-tech-triangle/article2123059/)
The four-storey factory had been on the market for a year before Toronto developer David Gibson considered buying it. Looking at the 1904 property, he saw something others had missed: the chance to transform a brick-and-beam building into premium office space for Waterloo’s technology sector.

The former car-parts factory stretches over a block of Kitchener’s old warehouse district. “It was pretty gruesome, but you could see the opportunities here,” Mr. Gibson recalls of his first impressions of 51 Breithaupt St. in 2009. The building at the former Collins & Aikman plant still housed mammoth machinery. The 4.3-acre site also needed an environmental cleanup – a potential financial risk.

[panamaniac]

Gee, articles in Maclean's and G&M in the same week - if Toronto has taken notice, K-town must really be on a role!

[speed]

Construction is so different than the Tannery building, the Tannery is steel beams and steel support columns
where this building is mostly wooden joists on hangers and wooden columns. We saw lots of sections of wooden floor
being replaced today.
The windows are now on order and replacement should start in mid to late September and pretty much continue
until they are all replaced. There are a few final decisions to be made regarding opening up windows that were previously
bricked in etc... but that only affects a few.

[speed]

Windows are finally on order and installation will begin Oct 3, starting on the 4th floor of building C
they went with the dark brown color.

[mpd618]

The little red brick building on the north side of Breithaupt has been demolished, not sure when.

[markster]

It's been gone for several weeks now.
A new surface parking lot is born.

[speed]

New window installation started last week
Rush will be on to get the 4th and 3rd floor windows on north side (Breithaupt st) in before Oct 30
as the high voltage lines which are currently dead will be turned back on and they are too close to the building
to allow anyone up in a Genie to caulk the exterior, so there will be a push to get those in.

[speed]

Building C window installation almost complete

[MonkeyGirl]

Looks like this corner of Kitchener is going to be Tech Central
http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id47716/--remediation-key-for-facebookrsquos-new-kitchener-ontario-home

[Trogdor]

Looks like this corner of Kitchener is going to be Tech Central
http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id47716/--remediation-key-for-facebookrsquos-new-kitchener-ontario-home

Awesome to see Facebook moving into Breithaupt! Kitchener should be pretty proud of itself by this point - who would have guessed 10 years ago that two of the world's most well-know and successful technology companies would have offices downtown?

[MidTowner]

Thanks for the link, MonkeyGirl! That's fantastic news.

Does anyone have any idea when tenancies are expected? There still seems to be a lot of work to do, but I note that they look about ready to pave the parking lot.

[fin2limb]

Facebook and Google in downtown Kitchener? I must be dreaming. Has anyone else heard about this from any other sources? I googled it but came up with nothing...

[benjaminbach]

Does anyone have any idea when tenancies are expected? There still seems to be a lot of work to do, but I note that they look about ready to pave the parking lot.

I believe tenants can expect space delivered to them for fixturing in the first quarter of next year. I toured through the building with John Lind this week, it's going to be really fantastic office space.

[benjaminbach]

Facebook and Google in downtown Kitchener? I must be dreaming. Has anyone else heard about this from any other sources? I googled it but came up with nothing...

Facebook is not confirming the news - I reached out to a source there in California - but 570 News has confirmed that the company doing some of the remediation work has said they are doing it for Facebook.

570 News and CTV are running stories on this tonight, and I expect that print publications will follow in the morning.

[Waterlooer]

This is awesome news! What's next for downtown Kitchener? An Apple building?!?

[ruud]

This is awesome news! What's next for downtown Kitchener? An Apple building?!?

that wouldn't surprise me. hopefully it will make another large tech company rethink the four turds they plopped at the edge of waterloo along with a few others throughout the city.

bottom line is if you want creative minds, you need start with creative spaces.

[Urbanomicon]

This is awesome news! What's next for downtown Kitchener? An Apple building?!?

Then we would no doubt see Microsoft move in right across the street. :RpS_biggrin:

[panamaniac]

I see that the Record article about Facebook is citing the same third parties from the work site - seems to me that they have been indiscrete in letting this information out prematurely (if it is true, which I sincerely hope it is)>

[benjaminbach]

I see that the Record article about Facebook is citing the same third parties from the work site - seems to me that they have been indiscrete in letting this information out prematurely (if it is true, which I sincerely hope it is)>

That is the only source - the other media outlets are repeating or reconfirming the story that DCN ran.

[KWrealestate]

WOW! That would be amazing!!

[panamaniac]

That is the only source - the other media outlets are repeating or reconfirming the story that DCN ran.

Just to be clear, Benjamin, I wasn't suggesting that the Record was being indiscrete, rather the folks at the worksite who seemed to take it on themselves to share Facebook's news with DCN. If I were Facebook, I might be rather p**sed at this, especially if I hadn't yet informed my employees in Toronto.

[benjaminbach]

panamaniac, I agree

[speed]

This is just a rumor with no truth to it at all............. Facebook has NO plans to move into this building

[panamaniac]

This is just a rumor with no truth to it at all............. Facebook has NO plans to move into this building

Source?

[Waterlooer]

This is just a rumor with no truth to it at all............. Facebook has NO plans to move into this building

How do you know? It's going to be an amazing tech building. It's not 100% official, but I'm pretty sure they will be moving in. 570 News actually stated they will be.

[panamaniac]

I believe that all 570 News and the Record did was report on the article in Daily Construction News, which states that Facebook is planning a "major presence" in the project. DCN's source of that information is not clear - the rest of the article quotes the folks working on-site. In the meantime, Facebook has made no comment, which makes the whole thing rather odd.

[RangersFan]

On a more positive note if I remember correctly, when it was first rumoured that Google was moving to the Tannery they were quiet for some time before officially annoucing the move.

[speed]

Owners of the building say its a dumb rumor started by a contractor as a joke

[BuildingScout]

Then again that is what you would expect them to say. At this time I would consider it an unconfirmed rumor.

[Tinbasher]

All I know is that they have walked though the site three times.

[panamaniac]

I just hope the contractor's ¨joke¨doesn't scotch the deal.

[The Comeback Kid]

I just hope the contractor's ¨joke¨doesn't scotch the deal.

So true.

[tomthip]

This is pure speculation but perhaps they made their decision and picked NYC instead of KW.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-engineering-nyc/facebook-to-open-engineering-office-in-new-york-city-in-2012/249404228453921

I hope its an unlrelated expansion.

[BuildingScout]

I hope its an unrelated expansion.

I'd say so. They announced a plan to double their work force over the next 12 months. This means they can open an office in NY another in KW and still have a lot more to go.

[Trogdor]

I hope its an unlrelated expansion.

Better hope so - after RIM's news today we might not want to count on them being around a lot longer! :RpS_sad:

[BigCityBoy]

Better hope so - after RIM's news today we might not want to count on them being around a lot longer! :RpS_sad:


Let's not get carried away here. RIM still produces over 5 billion dollars of revenue a quarter. Can anyone else say that in the K-W Region? Analysts are hammering this company with little regard to their revenue - always lack of growth / loss of market share.

[benjaminbach]

I agree. With 70 million global subscribers, no debt, and billions in revenue, RIM is much healthier than the headlines and media let on.

(posted from my RIM PlayBook)

[Waterlooer]

But RIM's stocks have crashed insanely this past year with lots of major disappointments for the public. Apple and Google's Android are killing RIM.

[plam]

But RIM's stocks have crashed insanely this past year with lots of major disappointments for the public. Apple and Google's Android are killing RIM.

We should distinguish the performance of the stock (which is, in part, based on speculation/pessimism) from performance of the company. That hasn't been great, but I think it hasn't been as bad as the stock price is showing.

[bzmwillemsen]

RIM has a secure user base. And that about seals it.
Apple and Google are getting all of the new customers and it seems that RIM is actually getting smaller because they are not currently picking up any of the new customers to the smartphone market.
There are a lot of new smartphone users entering the market right now. And Google and Apple are picking up most of them.
RIM has a lot of time to turn its cannons in the right direction and fire.
Google users and a lot of Apple users are very easy to persuade away from their product. RIM has a very loyal consumer base. Where a lot of Apple subscribers are following the trend.

[YKF]

^Well said.
A lot of the speculators focus solely on the North American stats, but fail to realize that RIM is dominating Latin America and parts of Asia (source: Globe and Mail)

[plam]

^Well said.
A lot of the speculators focus solely on the North American stats, but fail to realize that RIM is dominating Latin America and parts of Asia (source: Globe and Mail)

Yes, that's relevant as well, but those markets aren't quite as lucrative as the North American one.

[Waterlooer]

Well, whatever is going on with RIM, I agree with this article saying they need to partner up with another company: http://www.570news.com/news/local/article/311114--management-consultant-has-advice-for-rim

Some financial experts aren't even confident RIM will make it to the 2012 holiday season: http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/16/technology/thebuzz/index.htm

[UrbanWaterloo]

RIM definitely has some issues, chief among them though is they're out of favour by the media, no longer a "media darling". They don't cover the lead up to RIM's product launches the same way as they do with a new iPhone. The media creates a huge buzz around every Apple product, which causes the line-ups, which then creates more buzz for the next Apple product.

So if the media no longer loves RIM, why doesn't RIM just buy a slice of the media? Torstar closed the day with a market cap of $592-million (http://tmx.quotemedia.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=ts.b&locale=EN), so RIM could just pay cash for the company (we don't really want a stock deal with the depressed price at the moment). Yes the media needs to be neutral, but just look at how Torstar is using their properties (full-page ads) to push WagJag, their competitor to Groupon. Why couldn't they do the same thing for BlackBerry? Just fill up extra spaces/pages with BlackBerry ads.

It's the same kind of idea why Google bought Motorola: not because Motorola is this amazing business on it's own, but simply to protect one of their major businesses (Android from patent disputes). If creating more of a BlackBerry buzz in Southern Ontario means RIM sells an extra 100,000 devices annually (or protects those sales from being lost), then RIM will be making a decent return on this acquisition just from the sale of BlackBerries.


http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Economy/Torstar%20Corp%20Stock%20Price%20-%20December%2016,%202011.jpg

[The Megaform]

Any recent news on this project?

[ColliersWR]

New renderings of the courtyard just in:

852

[speed]

The large windows at the rear of the building are now being replaced with black curtain wall, same as the front
entrance.
859

[UrbanWaterloo]

February 9, 2012

Exterior

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%201a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%202%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%203b%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%204a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%204c%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%205a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%206%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%207%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%209a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%2010%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%2011%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%2013a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%2013c%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Exterior%20-%2014%20R.jpg


Interior

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Interior%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Interior%20-%202%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Interior%20-%203a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Interior%20-%203b%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Interior%20-%204a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Interior%20-%204b%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Kitchener/Downtown/Breithaupt%20Block/February%209,%202012/The%20Breithaupt%20Block%20-%20February%209,%202012%20-%20Interior%20-%204c%20R.jpg

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[Trogdor]

With every day that goes by, I am more and more impressed with this project. Perimeter Development is doing an amazing job and I love their commitment to keeping the character of the building while completely refreshing it. I am especially impressed by the little things, for instance the fact they kept the outside cylinder, but repainted it and used it for branding. This project is certainly on par with the Tannery and I wish the developer great success.

[MonkeyGirl]

These pics are fantastic. The building is going to be a show stopper when all is done.

[metropolis]

Still a long way to go but I'm starting to think this may the best (re)development the Region has ever seen!

[BuildingScout]

Ditto, this is looking awesome. I'm thinking this will become the place of choice for tech companies in KW.

[Danielle.Babcock]

Breithaupt Block Development Ready for Leasing

In the heart of downtown Kitchener, the Breithaupt Block renovation nears completion.

Once a rubber factory in the early 1900’s, the renovation has reclaimed the building making it perfect for urban workspace both in design and location.

The most notable part of the construction is that many architectural details have been preserved, keeping the original character of the building in tact. Exposed brick and very high ceilings contribute to the unique aesthetic.

Light pours in through huge windows, illuminating the space naturally while providing a phenomenal view overlooking the region from all directions.

Developer of the project, Craig Beattie says the space is ideal for the tech crowd.

“It’s not isolated. It’s in the downtown core near transportation, living space and restaurants,” said Beattie.

By moving forward with developments such as the Breithaupt Block, the region is becoming increasingly more urban and tech driven.

Kitchener Ward 7 Councillor Bil Ioannidis says the development will contribute to attracting more tech companies to the area.

“I think it’s going to have a tremendous effect on our downtown core. We have a lot of momentum occurring in the core, especially with the tech industry, which seems to have that appeal towards the heritage and brownfield type of development. I have very high hopes it will attract more of these types of developments to the area,” said Ioannidis.

He also said, “There has been overwhelming support from all the residents,” in regards to the development.

“It’s definitely going to put us even further on the map and get us even more recognition.”

The chic workspace is available for leasing opportunities, visit http://www.thebreithauptblock.com/ for more details.

883 885 886 887
888 889 890 891
892 893 894 895
882 884 896

[metropolis]

Some fantastic new renders I had not seen before from the Breithaupt Block (http://www.thebreithauptblock.com/photogallery/) website, note the inclusion of LRT, the underpass and the new multi-modal station, which were not in the original render. This leads me to believe that the office building fronting King has changed in look (and for the better in my opinion):

897
898

[Lugnut]

I wonder if that means the Rumple Felt building will stay.

I really hope they do a 2nd phase and develop the surface lot to include a building with a parking structure.

[insider]

I wonder if that means the Rumple Felt building will stay.

I really hope they do a 2nd phase and develop the surface lot to include a building with a parking structure.

The Rumpel Felt building will stay for sure, but probably only the oldest part. Regarding the surface lot, it was considered from the beginning to be developed in the future as a second phase.

Also please note that the Multimodal station and grade separation are NOT accurate at all in these renderings.

[KWrealestate]

I guess nothing new on the "Facebook" rumour?

[Lugnut]

The Rumpel Felt building will stay for sure, but probably only the oldest part. Regarding the surface lot, it was considered from the beginning to be developed in the future as a second phase.

Also please note that the Multimodal station and grade separation are NOT accurate at all in these renderings.

In what way?

[mpd618]

In what way?

I believe that the multimodal station would be a substantially larger development than in the rendering. But I won't speak for insider.

[HillDweller]

In what way?

The LRT will be in the curb lanes under the bridge. They have it in the center here. The plans are not yet complete for the multimodal station. It likely won't even resemble that picture when it's built.

[HillDweller]

Another thing, they don't show the LRT coming down Duke street in the render.

[KayDubya]

Still a long way to go but I'm starting to think this may the best (re)development the Region has ever seen!Agreed. I love the way this is coming together. An addition the City of Kitchener and the entire region can be proud of when it's complete. (especially if those Facebook rumors were to come true:RpS_biggrin:)

[KevinL]

Another thing, they don't show the LRT coming down Duke street in the render.

And other details get missed, like an engine for the GO train.

[DHLawrence]

The building standing in for the multimodal station also looks far too "suburban office campus"-like to be a station of any sort. And then there's the matter of the surface lot right against the railway tracks.

[DKsan]

I think my favourite "bloop" is in the top render. The other mistakes are "fine."

But how does the station in the top render have an LRT on the fourth floor? :P

[insider]

I believe that the multimodal station would be a substantially larger development than in the rendering. But I won't speak for insider.

Exactly, larger in every aspect (height, floor area, massing). The LRT route is different, and the road will start going down at Victoria for a much smoother grade separation than what is shown.

[mpd618]

But how does the station in the top render have an LRT on the fourth floor? :P

Reflection! There's also cars in there.

[SP!RE]

Guys, this is a rendering done for Perimeter Development. The look of the intermodal station and what part of the street the LRT runs along are minor details... no need for them to be entirely accurate. It's a rendering to market the finished product to potential leasers. I'm impressed that they even had the future grade separation and intermodal station included at all... that's quite comprehensive for a small private developer's rendering.

[benjaminbach]

quite comprehensive for a small private developer's rendering.

This development is a partnership between Perimeter Development and Allied REIT. I wouldn't call either a small private developer: Perimeter & the principles involved have had a large impact on our Region, and Allied is one of the largest office landlords in Canada, with millions of square feet across the country. Locally, Allied owns 72 Victoria South.

[SP!RE]

I know the guys from Perimeter, and this seems to be a lot more their vision. I'd say Allied REIT is partnered with them, but it's Perimeter's development as far as I'm concerned.

Regardless, the point I was trying to make was that it's ridiculous to pinpoint details of a rendering that most developers would simply have not included. Rather than criticize, I'm happy they included them at all as it helps people envision the area in a few years more accurately.

[Greg Moore]

Regardless, the point I was trying to make was that it's ridiculous to pinpoint details of a rendering that most developers would simply have not included. Rather than criticize, I'm happy they included them at all as it helps people envision the area in a few years more accurately.
The feeling of the board used to be excitement and optimism. As it's grown, there is a weight of negativity that now overwhelms the positivity that was once here. The number of times I've seen posts criticizing half-built projects is, nicely put, discouraging. See the Domain Hotel and RIM Headquarters threads.

Thank you Sp!re for remaining positive.

[BuildingScout]

Actually I think DKsan knew that was a reflection and he was poking fun at KevinL, thus the :RpS_tongue: smiley next to it.

[Lugnut]

I know the guys from Perimeter, and this seems to be a lot more their vision. I'd say Allied REIT is partnered with them, but it's Perimeter's development as far as I'm concerned.

Regardless, the point I was trying to make was that it's ridiculous to pinpoint details of a rendering that most developers would simply have not included. Rather than criticize, I'm happy they included them at all as it helps people envision the area in a few years more accurately.

Well said. I feel the same way, it was theirs from the get go as Gibson was the one that snatched the factory up.

[BuildingScout]

The feeling of the board used to be excitement and optimism. As it's grown, there is a weight of negativity that now overwhelms the positivity that was once here. The number of times I've seen posts criticizing half-built projects is, nicely put, discouraging. See the Domain Hotel and RIM Headquarters threads.

Thank you Sp!re for remaining positive.

I think it is easy to lose hope when one sees opportunities missed, while forgetting overall progress made in the last ten years. A decade ago, GRT was a bus service for seniors and high school kids, zoning laws forbade increased density anywhere, Uptown Waterloo was a parking lot and Downtown Kitchener was in a death spiral.

Fast forward ten years later and we have the expanding iXpress system, the LRT on the wings, the Uptown square and district, the revitalized Downtown core and pushes in density right across town.

[mpd618]

The feeling of the board used to be excitement and optimism. As it's grown, there is a weight of negativity that now overwhelms the positivity that was once here. The number of times I've seen posts criticizing half-built projects is, nicely put, discouraging. See the Domain Hotel and RIM Headquarters threads.

I would say that general boosterism of urban development has been replaced with support as well as criticism (often constructive), and I would not call that a bad thing. In fact, I think it indicates broader participation here beyond the development/investing community.

There are ongoing projects which get large support here: LRT, the King/Victoria transit hub, the Red Condos, City Centre, Arrow Lofts, the Spur Line Trail, the Tannery, and Breithaupt Block - among others. Should any and all urban development be lauded by us as a good thing?

[WaterlooNative]

Should any and all urban development be lauded by us as a good thing?

Within reason, but mindless bulldozing of either our natural heritage (greenfields) or our built heritage should not. That said, I am pleasantly pleased with the results of projects like Kaufman, Lang and Breithaupt. It's a pity that Waterloo has virtually no built industrial heritage left. Can you imagine what might have been done if the old Seagram buildings hadn't burned down or if the Ontario Table and Chair property had had a more sympathetic development? We can't win them all, but when we lose them, they're gone for good.

[bcwessel]

An article on The Breithaup Block appeared in the Kitchener Post (http://www.kitchenerpost.ca/news/building-blocks/) last week. There wasn't much on the actual project itself, aside from the usual "we're excited" comments, and plenty of praise for the City and Region as good places for developers to do business. A few interesting not-Breithaup-Block-specific items, though:


Perimeter [Development Corp., The Breithaup Block developer] is so bullish on the market, they’re even planning to relocate their own office later this year, moving from Toronto to a property they own on King Street in the downtown core.


Coun. Jean Haalboom said she would like to see the parameters [of the City's brownfield incentivization program] expanded, allowing for adaptive reuse projects such as the former Uniroyal Goodrich tire plant on Strange Street to qualify.
“There are these buildings that are under-utilized, and it isn’t just because of the contaminated site. They’re very attractive to be re-used,” she said.

It's great to see how keen Perimeter is on Downtown Kitchener, and it's always a positive to bring a few more high-quality jobs to the core. Tthe article didn't specify exactly which property they plan to move their offices to, but I seem to remember the company purchasing the building next to Bobby O'Brien's last year with plans to update it into upscale offices in the future.

It's also encouraging to see some members of council actively pushing quality adaptive re-use beyond Downtown. Plenty of reasons to be excited about Kitchener's urban future.

[panamaniac]

Today's Mop and Pail reports that Facebook is NOT setting up a Canadian office in Breithaupt Block (or anywhere else in K-W).

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tech-news/no-facebook-office-planned-for-rims-hometown-source/article2366833/

[speed]

yawn............. told ya so :-)

[4Kitchener]

Thats too bad :RpS_sad:. Any news as to how this building is doing re:leasing? and do we know when the move in dates may be?




Today's Mop and Pail reports that Facebook is NOT setting up a Canadian office in Breithaupt Block (or anywhere else in K-W).

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tech-news/no-facebook-office-planned-for-rims-hometown-source/article2366833/

[bcwessel]

Thats too bad :RpS_sad:. Any news as to how this building is doing re:leasing? and do we know when the move in dates may be?

From the article in The Post:


The project is slated to be complete in about a month and discussions have begun with prospective tenants, including some major technology players.

“We’re looking for creative, tech-based companies. These types of buildings just seem to attract those types of tenants,” said Beattie.

Not really much to go on, but it sounds like some of the space may be occupied before the Spring is out.

[speed]

They are just finishing pouring the concrete floors in building C and tile guys are there installing tile in the common areas, hallways and bathrooms etc... still a few windows left to install. Elevators still not in service for a couple of weeks yet.

[speed]

An engineering company has taken 8,000sq/ft on level 2 of building C

[Smore]

An engineering company has taken 8,000sq/ft on level 2 of building C

Firm retained by region to run the LRT show?

[mpd618]

Firm retained by region to run the LRT show?

If you mean the General Engineering Consultant for the LRT, I can't imagine they are going to need that big a presence here. It's something else.

[panamaniac]

An engineering company has taken 8,000sq/ft on level 2 of building C

Where did you pick that up? I don't see anything online at the Record or 570News, so they must be sitting on it as a story.

[speed]

They are already starting the tenant outfitting, framing walls and getting ready to drywall etc.......
I was told the name of the company but cant remember it right now.
I did not read it anywhere, I was told in person while onsite.

[panamaniac]

............I did not read it anywhere, I was told in person while onsite.

As long as it wasn't the same guy who said Facebook was moving in ......:RpS_biggrin:

[markster]

On the topic of the Breithaupt Block:

There's going to be a Jane's Walk around the area this saturday, 10am.

Our walk will begin by examining some buildings that show our industrial past. Some of these are still active in manufacturing but most have been renovated for a variety of post-industrial uses. We will end with an organic farm in the heart of the city which points to exciting future uses of land.

Meeting Place:
Breithaupt Street in front of the Breithaupt Block
End Location:
Walk will end at Litte City Farm on Duke St. West (close to Duke and Waterloo streets).

[ColliersWR]

1166

We recently had a photographer go through the space and take some photos of mainly buildings E and C which are nearing completion. The 360 shots really show off the space.

Link to tour: http://www.myvisuallistings.com/vt/81948

[BuildingScout]

Looks fantastic.

[markster]

sexy

http://www.myvisuallistings.com/center/datacenter/tours-fs/81/81948/thumbs/680x510/virtual-tour-81948-05-1337236714-enlarge.jpg

not so sexy

[MidTowner]

Maybe not sexy, but I live just up the street, and this is actually nicer to walk past than what it was like before. Although it might have been nice to be able to save the small building that had been here, it is pleasant to have a newly-surfaced parking lot and some landscaping by the sidewalk. I don't think they did a bad job at all with the bit of landscaping they did do, actually.

[markster]

Maybe not sexy, but I live just up the street, and this is actually nicer to walk past than what it was like before. Although it might have been nice to be able to save the small building that had been here, it is pleasant to have a newly-surfaced parking lot and some landscaping by the sidewalk. I don't think they did a bad job at all with the bit of landscaping they did do, actually.

For a surface lot, it's not that bad, brand new.
Though, I do see it as a beautiful multi-level underground garage in the future! (Underneath some attractive office/residential development)

[garthdanlor]

We recently had a photographer go through the space and take some photos of mainly buildings E and C which are nearing completion. The 360 shots really show off the space.

Link to tour: http://www.myvisuallistings.com/vt/81948
Wow, that is brilliant! Parking lot not so much, but the benefits of this redevelopment far outweighs that negative. Eventually something else will end up on that spot.