KITCHENER — In a significant move towards urban revitalization, the City of Kitchener approved a high-density, mixed-use development at 4220 King Street East and 25 Sportsworld Crossing Road.
The project, led by The Tricar Group and planned by GSP Group, will transform this key area into a vibrant residential and commercial hub.
The site is currently occupied by Mandarin Restaurant and Home Style Furniture, which will be demolished to make way for the development.
The approved development will be rolled out in two phases over 2.04 hectares (5.1 acres) of land.
The development plan includes the construction of three residential towers atop podium structures with ground-floor commercial units.
Upon completion, the site will feature 526 residential units and approximately 5,280 square metres of commercial space, significantly enhancing the area’s housing and retail offerings.
Phase 1 of the project will develop 1.14 hectares (11,360.44 square metres) and introduce two residential towers.
The towers are as follows:
● Tower A: A 14-storey building with 158 units, oriented towards Sportsworld Crossing Road.
● Tower B: An 18-storey building with 156 units, fronting King Street East.
The towers will be supported by a 2-3 storey podium containing 2,935.36 square metres of commercial space, which will accommodate various retail and service businesses.
Parking solutions in Phase 1 are comprehensive, with 445 spaces allocated as follows:
● 43 surface spaces.
● 402 spaces are split between two underground levels and two above-ground structured levels.
Residents will also enjoy ample amenity spaces, including 636.38 square metres of outdoor terraces atop the podiums and 1,010.77 square metres of indoor amenities spread across the first two floors.
Phase 2 will cover 0.90 hectares and bring a 14-storey, L-shaped residential tower with 212 units.
The structure will elegantly frame the intersection of King Street East and Deer Ridge Drive.
The podium for Phase 2 will offer 2,344.08 square metres of commercial space, further enhancing the site’s commercial footprint.
Parking in Phase 2 will be robust, with 412 spaces provided:
● 85 surface spaces.
● 327 spaces across two underground and two above-ground structured levels.
Residents in this phase will have access to 382.18 square metres of outdoor amenity space and 1,013.16 square metres of indoor amenities, ensuring a dynamic living environment.
The development aligns with Kitchener’s strategic vision for transit-oriented growth because it is located adjacent to the future Sportsworld iON Light Rail Transit (LRT) station and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop.
The development’s approval required amendments to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law to accommodate the increased density and height of the buildings.
The Official Plan has been amended to redesignate the site from ‘Commercial Campus’ to ‘Mixed Use,’ permitting the higher density residential and commercial mix with a maximum Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 4.0.
The Zoning By-law was also amended to change the site’s classification from ‘Arterial Commercial Zone (COM-3)’ and ‘Campus Commercial Zone (COM-4)’ to a ‘MIX-3’ zone.
The parking ratio for the development, with 857 spaces for 526 units, translates to approximately 1.63 spaces per unit, which exceeds typical urban requirements and reflects the mixed-use nature of the project.
Both phases incorporate extensive indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, supporting the city’s standards for resident facilities.
Situated within a designated Major Transit Station Area (MTSA), the development is ideally placed to benefit from enhanced connectivity and accessibility.
The proximity to the planned LRT and BRT stops is a significant advantage, aligning the project with the region’s emphasis on sustainable and transit-oriented development.
The approval of this mixed-use development marks a pivotal step in Kitchener’s urban evolution.
The transformative development is poised to become a landmark in Kitchener, fostering a vibrant, connected community and setting a precedent for future urban projects in the region.
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