KITCHENER — A transformative project approved in April 2023 is set to redefine Kitchener’s urban landscape as King Charles Properties (Kitchener) Limited (Vive Developments) receives approval from the City Council for a 30-storey mixed-use residential development at 1001 King Street East.
The subject lands, comprising lots municipally addressed as 1001, 1027, 1051 King Street East and 534, 564 Charles Street East in the City of Kitchener and Region of Waterloo, are situated mid-block within the King Street East, Ottawa Street South, Charles East, and Borden Street South.
The underutilized site currently houses a car parts supplier store, a repair shop, single detached residential uses, and an e-waste collection facility.
The lots are planned to be consolidated to create a parcel of land 0.64 hectares (1.61 acres) in size.
This prime location, nestled within a Major Transit Station Area and a short distance away from Downtown Kitchener’s core area, is ideal for intensification with a mix of uses.
The development blueprint encompasses a 30-storey tower, an 11-storey building, and a 4-storey podium featuring a shared rooftop amenity area and structured parking facility.
The project boasts a total of 464 residential units, comprising 1-bedroom units (130), 1-bedroom + den units (202), 2-bedroom units (115), and 3-bedroom units (10). In addition, seven two-storey live-work units fronting Charles Street East will provide a dynamic blend of residential and workspace functionalities.
In line with the city’s vision for vibrant mixed-use communities, the development includes approximately 450 square metres of commercial/retail space at grade, contributing to the project’s activation of street-level engagement and pedestrian vibrancy.
Parking provisions, a crucial component of the development, encompass approximately 300 spaces for the entire development, primarily housed within a multi-level parking garage spanning both underground and above-grade levels within the podium.
A reduction in the parking ratio was approved from 1.0 to 0.54 spaces per residential unit and 0.1 spaces for visitor and commercial uses.
The project also integrates bicycle parking facilities, aligning with contemporary urban mobility standards. Strategically located near key transit hubs such as the Borden ION station and existing bus routes along King Street East, Ottawa Street, and Charles Street, the development promotes sustainable urban mobility and accessibility.
Following the green light on the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments, the project is poised to usher in a new era of urban living in the heart of the city.
The approved Official Plan Amendment includes a change in the land use designation from ‘Mixed Use Corridor with Special Policy Area 1’ to ‘Mixed Use Corridor with Special Policy Area 10’ in the King Street East Secondary Plan.
The amendment aligns with the city’s vision for urban intensification and mixed-use development, facilitating a Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 8.1, an increase from the maximum permitted 4.0.
Additionally, a zoning amendment to rezone the site from High Intensity Mixed Use Corridor Zone (MU-3) to High Intensity Mixed Use Corridor Zone (MU-3) with Special Regulation Provisions 544R and 788R and Holding Provision 100H has been granted, paving the way for the development.
The amendments permit an increased building density, reduced setbacks, a decrease in the required parking rate, and allowance for live-work units on the ground floor, among other provisions.
The approved amendments reflect a collaborative effort between the developer and city officials to address urban design policies and Tall Building Guidelines, ensuring the project’s alignment with the city’s vision for sustainable growth and vibrant mixed-use communities.
With the necessary approvals secured, the project is poised to become a landmark in Kitchener’s skyline, embodying contemporary design principles and catalyzing urban revitalization.
The development represents a forward-thinking approach to city-building, promising to shape Kitchener’s urban fabric for generations to come.
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