Downtown Kitchener, Ont. office building being turned into rental units
For the first time in the City of Kitchener, a downtown office high-rise is being converted into rental units.
The building at 22 Frederick Street housed City of Kitchener administration for years but now the building is undergoing a transition to housing, making it the third time the building has been recycled for a new purpose.
“I think it’ll bring a lot of good value for the community,” said Josef Jakubovic, co-owner of the building’s property owner Europro.
The vacant office building will be turned into 91 rental units with a restaurant on the ground floor which will be accessible to residents and the public.
“22 Frederick is an ideal point tower configuration that the distance between the core and the window is a responsible distance to be able to provide residential units,” said Laird Robertson, president creative director at Neo Architecture Inc.
According to Europro, it will take 12 to 18 months to renovate the space into 91 rental units. The plan for the 12-storey building is to have nine units per floor with a mix of one and two bedroom units.
“I think it’s harder to do than people give it credit for because when you have a blank slate, you have to make sure you are maximizing space,” said Jesse Nathanson, vice president of Europro. “This building…worked very well for the conversion. We’re in for a tender right now, we’re estimating north of $20 million.”
A look inside the building at 22 Fredrick Street in Kitchener on June 5, 2023. (CTV News/Hannah Schmidt)
How much it will cost per unit is still up in the air, according to Europro, as they’re waiting to see what the market looks like at the time they are complete.
Additional parking spaces will also be offered to renters of the units.
“So there’s ample parking now and in the future, paid parking obviously,” Nathanson said. “So we’ll be able to accommodate residents’ needs with parking especially with Market Square Right across the street.”
Robertson said the building was left vacant for over a year, making it a perfect opportunity to convert into housing as demand for office space remains low.
“There’s a housing crisis, we all know about the housing crisis…an incredible demand for housing,” he said. “So conversion allows to sort of advance the time frame of getting housing on the market.”
While this may be the first office to housing transition in the area, the City of Kitchener believes it’s likely more vacant spaces will be converted into residential units amid shortages.
“It’s certainly something we are seeing a growing interest in and from an environmental perspective, it’s a great opportunity to reuse an existing building,” said Garrett Stevenson, director of planning at the City of Kitchener. “It’s repurposing existing floor area to a much needed use which is housing.”
Europro said the completion of the renovation work is expected mid to late 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.