U/C Waterloo Region Courthouse | 28 m | 7 fl | Completion March 2013

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

According to this DTS report, it looks like there's going to be two cranes on site.

Looks like we are going to blow my little tower crane poll out of the water!

[Spokes]

Looks like we are going to blow my little tower crane poll out of the water!

Here's hoping!

[Spokes]

Wait, isn't there like 4 at UW alone already?

[UrbanWaterloo]

April 22, 2010

[UrbanWaterloo]

May 21, 2010

[panamaniac]

Has there been any hint yet of when we might be seeing some renders of the building? If the structure is to occupy the entire site, it is going to be huge.

[Spokes]

Everything we've heard says it'll occupy the whole site, so you're right, it'll be huge.

[UrbanWaterloo]

May 24, 2010

[panamaniac]

The old Sand Hills name suddenly takes on new meaning...

[UrbanWaterloo]

Has there been any hint yet of when we might be seeing some renders of the building?

The renderings were to be released at a groundbreaking ceremony (although it's weird the ground has already been broken). Keep checking the politician's websites (John Milloy, etc..) from time to time as I'm sure they'll want a photo op.

If the structure is to occupy the entire site, it is going to be huge.

Iirc there's supposed to be a plaza area, which will eventually allow for expansion. At 355,392 sq feet this will be a huge structure: 50% larger than either the Galleria Towers (236,251 sq ft) or Market Square (237,593 sq ft).

[UrbanWaterloo]

May 27, 2010
There's more equipment on site as this hole continues to grow. Only four more days left to make the anticipated May 2010 Crane Installation.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Unfortunately C-Month is about to pass us without the anticipated installation.

May 31, 2010

[van Hemessen]

Are there still no renders of this project? How strange.

[jay]

I agree it is weird that we have not seen any renders for this, especially with the amount of activity on the site

[UrbanWaterloo]

Nothing as of yet. There was a building permit application last week though.

Permit No 10111240
Site Address 70 DUKE ST E
Work Description PERMIT IS FOR A FOUNDATION ONLY FOR THE COURT HOUSE (LEVELS B2 AND B1) - INCLUDES ELECTRICAL AND UNDERGROUND PLUMBING FOR B2 AND B1, NOT GROUND FLOOR. A SEPARATE PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR THE BALANCE OF
Status Status Letter Sent
Permit Category Gov't/Institutional Building
Permit Type Government Office Building
Application Date April 18, 2010
Issued By
Issue Date
Final Date
Work Proposed Foundation - Only
Construction Value 10562000
Special Conditions All work shall comply with the 2006 Building Code Final Inspection Deposit waived. Plumbing work to be carried out by a Plumbing Contractor Licensed by The City of Kitchener. See notes on drawings. *** Notify Terri Rau x2713 in Legal Services once permit for new Court House is issued (agreement stipulates payment required upon permit issuance).
Contractor ELLISDON
Contractor Contact Info 89 QUEENSWAY W MISSISSAUGA ON L5B 2V2

Permit No 10114402
Site Address 70 DUKE ST E
Work Description PERMIT IS FOR THE SHELL ONLY FOR THE NEW COURTHOUSE.
Status Application
Permit Category Gov't/Institutional Building
Permit Type Government Other Building
Application Date May 26, 2010
Issued By
Issue Date
Final Date
Work Proposed Shell - Only
Construction Value 0
Special Conditions *** Notify Terri Rau x2713 in Legal Services once permit for new Court House is issued (agreement stipulates payment required upon permit issuance). NEW CONSOLIDATED COURTHOUSE ADDRESS TO BE 70 DUKE ST E. 73-87 FREDERICK & 35-39 WEBER ST E WILL BECOME HISTORIC
Contractor ELLISDON CORPERATION
Contractor Contact Info 89 QUEENSWAY AVE W MISSISSAUGA ON L5B 2V2 phone 905-896-8900 phone2 905-803-6393

[taylortbb]

At least we know it'll be at least 3 storeys though.

Found an update on that, The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. Looks like an industry association advocating for more P3s. They state that it will be a "5-8 storey building" on their website, , http://www.pppcouncil.ca/pdf/tracker.pdf , it's at the bottom of page 17. Given it probably represents the firms involved I expect it's accurate, but I can't be sure, just found it via Google.

[UrbanWaterloo]

There was a bit of talk regarding the courthouse at the Downtown Advisory Committee meeting this afternoon. Apparently the renderings and site plans are at the EllisDon construction office, but the province has deliberately held them back to date until they decide to go public. Access to Information Request anyone? Here's what I did find on the EllisDon website (from April)...

Integrated Team Solutions (ITS) has been awarded the contract to build the new Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse.
April 12 2010 12:28 | http://www.ellisdon.com/search/?i=424
The award includes the design, construction, commissioning, finance and 30 year operation of the facility. EllisDon, a key part of ITS, is responsible for the design, construction and commissioning. The Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse (WRCC) development is a state of the art courthouse, being built at Duke and Frederick Streets in downtown Kitchener. This new building will consolidate the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice, currently operating in three locations across the Waterloo Region. This new seven-storey, 430,000 square foot building will comprise 30 courtrooms. This building will have 100% emergency backup, a fully integrated electronic security system and will also achieve significant new physical security requirements. In particular the program includes a Multiple Accused High Security (MAHS) courtroom for high profile trials. The design responds to the local area by incorporating a Grand River theme throughout the landscaping and major public spaces. The natural forms of the gorge and river extend from the entry plaza into the lobby through curvilinear stone walls, plantings, floor patterns, furniture and light forms. There will be significant landscaping in the civic square at the corner of Frederick and Duke Streets with opportunities for public art. The exterior will comprise of stone, zinc and precast concrete. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification, which focuses on energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The project began in March 2010 and is scheduled for completion March 2013.

[Urbanomicon]

Well it's not a render, but at least we have some information to visualize it better.

[Spokes]

Wow great news! I wish they'd just release the renders already though.

This thing has the potential to be a really cool design, between Frederick and Scott street there must be at least a two storey change? Maybe 3?

[panamaniac]

Civic square at the corner of Frederick and Duke? I guess the building still standiing on the corner will eventually come down.