The ones that got away...

[DHLawrence]

The ones that got away...
Lost Buildings of Waterloo Region

As the title indicates, this thread is to remember buildings that didn't make it.

[DHLawrence]

Jim Quantrell, At A Glance... (http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion/columns/article/853487--1990-the-demolition-of-the-dorchester-hotel)

20 YEARS AGO
Third week of August 1990

An eight-man crew took only 12 hours to demolish a 142-year-old fixture on King Street at Fountain Street. The destruction of the Dorchester Hotel, formerly the Kress Hotel and before that the North American Hotel, left traffic in the area badly snarled and attracted a steady stream of onlookers who watched mattresses, light fixtures and other furnishings tumble out of the hotel as a large demolition crane tore at the building’s frame. City council had approved the demolition of the former resort hotel two months previously fearing that the vacant structure was both a fire hazard and a temptation for vandals. The owner planned to build a commercial/residential condominium on the site.

Twenty years later, there is Kressview Springs, one condominium building miles behind where the Dorchester once stood. The lot at King and Fountain is still vacant, the foundation of the Dorchester still visible in aerial photographs. Twenty years and (at least) two proposals later, we're still waiting. And the Preston Springs stands sentinel across the street, waiting for her own rebirth after twenty years of vacancy and three revival attempts.

What's it going to take?

[panamaniac]

Just did a walk in my mind down King St from Victoria to Scott St and it left me a bit sad, even with the recent signs of life Downtown. Between demolitions, fires, and bad renovations, a lot has been lost and only some of what has replaced it seems an improvement, never mind the gaps that still sit empty. City Hall and the School of Pharmacy are steps up for sure. I might add the newly renovated Shoppers Drug, although I have fond memories of Kresge's back in the day. The Goudies building is still there, but the Museum cafe is no match for the old Grill Room (think tea and older ladies with hats, gloves and blue hair). The worst replacement structure has got to be the Bank of Montreal at Queen St (I hate that thing, especially when I think of its distinguished predecesor).

Old City Hall, Cenotaph Square and the Market, Kitchener Hotel (OK that was a dump), and the old old Post Office at King and Frederick; the old Waterloo Trust at King and Ontario (that was a beauty under the grey concrete cladding they put on in the '70s), the Lyric (very sad), the Fox. Gone but not forgotten.

[Spokes]

Just did a walk in my mind down King St from Victoria to Scott St and it left me a bit sad, even with the recent signs of life Downtown. Between demolitions, fires, and bad renovations, a lot has been lost and only some of what has replaced it seems an improvement, never mind the gaps that still sit empty. City Hall and the School of Pharmacy are steps up for sure. I might add the newly renovated Shoppers Drug, although I have fond memories of Kresge's back in the day. The Goudies building is still there, but the Museum cafe is no match for the old Grill Room (think tea and older ladies with hats, gloves and blue hair). The worst replacement structure has got to be the Bank of Montreal at Queen St (I hate that thing, especially when I think of its distinguished predecesor).

Old City Hall, Cenotaph Square and the Market, Kitchener Hotel (OK that was a dump), and the old old Post Office at King and Frederick; the old Waterloo Trust at King and Ontario (that was a beauty under the grey concrete cladding they put on in the '70s), the Lyric (very sad), the Fox. Gone but not forgotten.

I was sitting in coffee culture last night thinking the same thing! Given the size of it's lot, it's got potential down the road.

[panamaniac]

From today's Record. The article is about the Bank's 150th anniversary in the Region, but I thought the accompanying photo should be posted here.

Edit: Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to copy the photo. Perhaps someone else would have better luck.

[IEFBR14]

Here you go...

http://media.therecord.topscms.com/images/89/31/dc77c8154172b497b7d292d06e58.jpeg

[DHLawrence]

And another one bites the dust...

Council Ok's demolition of St Clement School (http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/300998--council-ok-s-demolition-of-st-clement-school)

A nearly century-old school about to be demolished for--that's right--a parking lot. We've come a long way in the past forty years, haven't we?

[UrbanWaterloo]

Am I correct to believe that's King Street at the top of this picture? I'd like to know more about the factories which got replaced by the plaza. It's a shame they aren't still around as they could have been caught up in the recent conversion buzz.

607 King Street West - 1950's?

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Heritage/Lost%20Structures/Breithaupt-block-old-pics-cropped.jpg
Source: Perimeter Development Group (http://perimeterdevelopment.com/Breithaupt-Block.html)

607 King Street West - 2009

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Heritage/Lost%20Structures/607%20King%20Street%20West%20(Google%20Streetview% 202009).jpg
Source: Google Streetview (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=607+king+street+west,+kitchener&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=607+King+St+W,+Kitchener,+Waterloo+Regional+ Municipality,+Ontario&ll=43.453864,-80.501114&spn=0.003598,0.029311&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=43.453864,-80.501114&panoid=3B50gpB-1pMvUlVNil86fg&cbp=13,189.06,,0,3.68)

[Spokes]

Yes you would be correct, King St West at the top of the photo.

Nice find!