Complete BPR Lofts | 16m | 4 fl

[myfaceisonfire]

I thought there was a thread for this development on Regina, but apparently not. I drove by the site today and noticed that things have changed, there was a different rendering up and a sign for momentum developments (of th42 fame). I dug around a little and things have definitely changed from what I remember.

2 floors of commercial space and 2 residential. Not a bad little infill project but too bad about the house on the corner, at least they don't try to conceal the fact that it is there in the render

[RangersFan]

This looks like a really cool project, the website doesn't have much information on the residential units. As far as I know nobody has mentioned this project.

pictures taken by me Jan 24,2010
This is the office building at 36-40 Regina st in Uptown Waterloo. Construction was alot further along than I expected.

[WatDot]

Wow that's a much more exciting development then what they were originally shopping: http://www.dtzbarnicke.com/Client/JJ...t_Q1_Q2_08.pdf

Going by the site though, the frontage doesn't seem as close to the street as depicted here. Hopefully it does end up looking like it's illustrated.

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

What a cool development. I just hope it's not for students, but more of the young professional market. This will totally fit in in terms of scale with Regina Street.

[jay]

Nice!, I still thought this was going be the office building that was shown on the DTZ site. Really is a shame about the house on the corner, the owner probably wanted a arm and a leg for his property.

I have been watching this get built and it doesn't seem to have underground parking, and the land isn't too big so I'm not sure where people will be parking especially with the residential part taking at least 1 spot per unit.

[WatDot]

Well with 14 residential suites on 2 floors and given the sq footage of the lower floors, I think you are looking at 250-252 sq/ft per room... sorry... err suite?! I am starting to wonder like Duke-of-Waterloo who this will be targeted to.

But whatever, I still like the overall mixed use zoning and apparent brick design.

[Spokes]

Not bad at all!!

And Im assuming parking is around back?

[RangersFan]

Not bad at all!!

And Im assuming parking is around back?

Looks like it from the site plan, not sure how many spaces are planned though.

[uptownfoodcritic]

Has anyone done a photo thread of all the Regina Street businesses? I didn't see one here.

Regina Street is kind of the forgotten street of Uptown but it does have some nice businesses and buildings on it.

[Spokes]

Here's the site plan for it: http://www.momentumdevelopments.ca/d...-Site_Plan.pdf

Looks like they're planing some kind of art feature out front. A mini rusty bell?? haha

Hopefully even if it is set back a bit from the street, they can integrate the building and street with the patio/entrance to the building

[UrbanWaterloo]

Nice little addition to Uptown. It's good to see Momentum being active again so quickly.

leaffan had some construction pics of this site over in Small Urban Construction which have been moved here.

Has anyone done a photo thread of all the Regina Street businesses? I didn't see one here.
Regina Street is kind of the forgotten street of Uptown but it does have some nice businesses and buildings on it.

Good idea, I'll take a Regina Photo Tour sometime during spring this year.

[Spokes]

They must have had a decent enough amount of capital (from the42 maybe?) to invest in another project early, although its nothing to the scope of the42. None the less, good project, and hope it means we see them being active in Uptown for years to come.

[urbandreamer]

Retail at the bottom would make sense here. I'd go with no parking (this isn't the suburbs) and rent out the units as lofts to grad students.

[Greg Moore]

They must have had a decent enough amount of capital (from the42 maybe?) to invest in another project early, although its nothing to the scope of the42. None the less, good project, and hope it means we see them being active in Uptown for years to come.

I have heard from the developer of the42 that they already have another project in Uptown in the works that is to be the same scale as the42. That is exciting to me because the looks and the "green" factor. Momentum and the companies involved in the42, seem to be a forward thinking.

[WatDot]

Retail at the bottom would make sense here. I'd go with no parking (this isn't the suburbs) and rent out the units as lofts to grad students.

I agree, however the City of Waterloo has a policy that directly associates parking spaces with development sq/footage. Things won't get approved without the required amount of parking.

[mpd618]

I agree, however the City of Waterloo has a policy that directly associates parking spaces with development sq/footage. Things won't get approved without the required amount of parking.

That's not quite true -- it could get approved with an exception, like so many other zoning variances. If they ask council to waive parking requirements, I would be glad to speak there in support of them being allowed to do so.

[RangersFan]

I emailed Momentum Devlopments about this project, it seems that the units are rentals and not for sale. Sounds like a pretty cool project, I hope to see more projects from them Uptown.

The residential units are either 1BD+Den and 2 BD units ranging from 670 sq ft to over 850 sq ft

Term and Pricing:
· Occupancy to begin August 1, 2010
· Long and short lease terms available
· 12 month leases - $1295/month for 1BD+Den; $1395/month for 2BD+1Bath; $1495/month for 2BD+2Bath
· 6 month leases - $50/month premium to 12 month rate
· 3 month lease - $100/month premium to 12 month rate

Features and Finishes:
· 6 energy efficient appliances included
· Access to 1 parking spot
· Secure entrance
· Cardio room
· Common Meeting room
· 10’ Ceilings
· Granite countertops
· Storage lockers
· Energy and material efficient central heating and cooling systems
· Energy efficient windows and doors
· Energy efficient lighting
· Solar roof panels
· Low VOC paints and finishes in all suites and common areas
· Efficient water consumption faucets

[UrbanWaterloo]

I'd also speak in favour of waiving parking requirements in future developments. Remember Bridgeport Lofts a decade ago?

Old warehouse could house students; Owners seek parking exemption for downtown Waterloo property
Terry Pender , The Record - Kitchener, Ont.
Date: Sep 21, 2001; Start Page: B.01
Section: Local ; Text Word Count: 518 ; Abstract (Document Summary)

A city bylaw requires one parking space for every unit in the building, and the developers, Haastown Holdings Inc., want an exemption. They also have purchased an old house just to the north at 51 Regina St., which will be replaced with six parking spaces. But the bylaw requires 40 spaces.
"To think with 102 people that six parking spots will be enough is absolutely naive," said Rob Gural, who owns Mini Car Collectibles at 52 Regina St. "To just approve something to get the building fixed just doesn't make sense. If you approve this, there will be parking problems from Day 1."
Instead of student housing the new owners should create retail space on the first floor, and condominiums above, said Theresa Cisecki, who owns Double T Gallery at 76 Regina St. She said students living near her store cause enough problems, adding 102 more students down the block will only make matters worse.


Student housing plan approved
Author: Terry Pender ; The Record - Kitchener, Ont.
Date: Nov 13, 2001 ; Start Page: B.01
Section: Local ; Text Word Count: 520 ; Abstract (Document Summary)

HaasTown Holdings will spend about $4 million to buy and renovate the nearly 100-year-old former shoe factory at 12 Bridgeport Rd. E., at the corner of Regina Street, into student apartments that will house 103 people.
The first requires the developer to submit a letter of credit with the city in an amount sufficient to provide 18 spaces within a reasonable distance of the student apartment building. This is designed to ease concerns about the possible loss of the 18 spaces acquired this week when the three-year lease expires.
The parking shortage north of Erb was first identified as a problem 20 years ago, but resolving the issue was never a high priority with the city. South of Erb the city has more than 2,000 parking spaces among several lots, a parking garage and curb-side places. North of Erb there is only on-street parking.

[Spokes]

Units sound impressive. Nice and upscale. Priced to up and comers rather than students which is nice!