CTV Kitchener’s former King St. building could be turned into 44-storey apartment tower
CTV Kitchener’s former home could be replaced with a 44-storey apartment tower.
An application has been submitted to redevelop the property at 864 King Street West.
If council approves the plan, the building would add 455 new apartments to the busy corridor between downtown Kitchener and Uptown Waterloo. According to the proposal, it would also include 261 parking spaces, 461 bicycle storage spaces and 5,389 square metres of indoor and outdoor amenity space.
CTV Kitchener called 864 King Street West home for nearly 70 years before before moving to the Sportsworld area in November 2023.
Reaction to proposed plan
CTV News spoke to people living near the former television studio to find out what they think about the proposed development. The height of the building and the number of new residents were their biggest concerns.
“I don’t like the idea,” said Joe DaSilva. “I think we have enough high-rises. Anything over 20 storeys is high enough.”
Artist's rendering of proposed 44-storey apartment tower at 864 King Street West in Kitchener. (Source: MHBC Planning, Urban Design & Landscape Architecture)
The building wouldn’t be the only apartment tower at the corner of King and Pine Street.
Across the street, construction continues on a 25-storey apartment building.
“I’m really not happy about it,” said Rosemany Longpre, who has lived on Mary Street for about 45 years.
She fears the area is changing too quickly.
“This was a very quiet neighbourhood,” Longpre said. “Honestly, I’m really disappointed that they’re building all these towers.”
She wants to see more homes built in the city but worries a 44-storey tower is too high for the older, residential area.
“For me, it’s not feasible,” Longpre said. “I understand the housing [issue], but to have it that high, it takes away from the aesthetics of the whole neighbourhood [and] blocks the sun from the house.”
Map of 864 King Street West in Kitchener. (Source: MHBC Planning, Urban Design & Landscape Architecture)
Share your opinion
A virtual neighbourhood meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18. Residents can ask questions and voice their concerns to city staff.
The City of Kitchener said recommendations will be submitted to council next fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Air Canada flights could halt next week: Here's the latest
Air Canada's potential work stoppage could ground flights, halt cargo and leave travellers scrambling to reschedule next week. Follow along with live updates here.
Former NHL enforcer Stephen Peat dies after being hit by car in B.C.
Stephen Peat, the former Washington Capitals enforcer who fought concussion issues and was homeless at times after leaving hockey, has died from injuries sustained late last month when he was struck by a car while crossing a street. He was 44.
Canadian health regulators ban this common food additive. Here's what you need to know
In a move to safeguard public heath, Health Canada has officially banned the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) as a food additive. Here's what you need to know.
Driver charged with killing NHL's Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level
The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew as they bicycled on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey, a prosecutor said Friday.
Police investigating 'targeted' triple homicide in Lloydminster, Sask.
Police in Lloydminster have confirmed they are investigating a triple homicide in the border city.
'I was scared:' Ontario woman fears home will collapse after roofing scam of $158K
An Ontario woman who just wanted to get some gutter guards to keep leaves out of her eavestroughs said she was convinced her home was going to collapse and handed over $158,000 in a roofing scam.
New Brunswick premier's comments about asylum seekers spark controversy
Claims from New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs that Ottawa wants to force the province to take in 4,600 asylum seekers are 'largely fictitious,' says federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
Workers at Walmart warehouse in Mississauga, Ont. vote to unionize in a Canadian first
A group of workers at a Mississauga, Ont. Walmart warehouse has become the first in Canada to unionize at one of the company’s warehouses.
North Korea gives a glimpse of a secretive uranium-enrichment facility as Kim pushes for more nukes
North Korea offered a rare glimpse into a secretive facility to produce weapons-grade uranium as state media reported Friday that leader Kim Jong Un visited the area and called for stronger efforts to 'exponentially' increase its number of nuclear weapons.