Waterloo Approves Redevelopment at Former Brick Brewing Site

  • 01/11/17
  • |          Waterloo

WATERLOO — A mixed-use building has been approved at the former Brick Brewing site at 181 King St. S.

On Monday, Waterloo councillors approved the 19-storey project, which includes 188 condos with 214 bedrooms, 520 square metres of commercial space and 159 parking spaces.

Mayor Dave Jaworsky said in an interview the site’s redevelopment is part of the changing landscape of the city’s core.

“Industrial sites in uptown cores have served their purpose and they need to move on to more commercial or residential type opportunity,” he said.

The project incorporates former Brick Brewing facades into the building. Part of the non-designated yellow brick heritage building on site will be integrated into the new tower.

Hip Developments asked for a zone change, expanded range of land uses and reduced building setback, amenity area and parking requirements.

The approved proposal is a slight decrease from the original proposal for 20 storeys with 194 residential units, 304 bedrooms and 223 parking spaces.

That proposal didn’t sit well with some residents.

Past concerns included the density of the project and that it wouldn’t fit with the character of the neighbourhood.

Resident Allan Toews lives on Freemont Street. He told council he supports intensification, but that he and others in the neighbourhood have concerns including the height of the building and traffic.

“I support revitalizing brownfield sites and that’s exactly what we’re looking at here,” he said. “I support reasonable intensification as long as it’s well-planned.

“What I don’t support is the height of the building.”

Jaworsky said he understands the concern, but that there wouldn’t be much difference in shadow impacts on other properties if the building was shorter.

“All things being equal, everyone would prefer things to be shorter but the reality is that as the building height decreases the shadows cast by it didn’t decrease very much,” he said.

Brick left the site in 2014 after shifting beer production to its facility on Bingemans Centre Drive in Kitchener.

The site will be about 0.3 hectares after a portion of the property is conveyed to the Region of Waterloo for road widening, with residential parking off Caroline Street and commercial and residential entrances off King Street.

The project will have a podium and tower design with lower level terraces overlooking King and Caroline streets.

Amenities include a fitness centre, lounge and green roof.

Commercial uses will include a restaurant and patio.

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