marcus_a_j
Senior Member
Downtown Kitchener felt like that in early 2000's when I was a student at UW. I need to go back and spend a few days walking around KW to see all the changes in the last 10-15 years.
Kitchener DTK Condos | ?m | 39s | IN8 Developments | srm Architects
- Thread starter Bjays92
- Start date
AlbertC
Superstar
Same in the late 2000's and early 2010's. Even though the WatCard offered free bus transit in the Tri-City area, I wasn't really aware of anyone who'd actually make the trek over to Kitchener for anything notable. Anything social life related always revolved around either the UW Plaza, Uptown Waterloo along King, or Conestoga Mall. It's been years but I still miss going to Jane Bond at Princess & King.
artyboy123
Senior Member
Many describe KW as a "mini Toronto" but to each their own! ops I should mention I seen the transformation started in late 2014, I lived there for approximately 7 years from 2014-2021!
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AlbertC
Superstar
Not back when it was around 2008-10-ish or earlier than that. Majority of the transformation has been in the past 10 years or so.
artyboy123
Senior Member
I say the biggest transformation is around the University area, Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener...the LRT was a game-changer!
Bjays92
Senior Member
I'd argue still not a whole lot in Waterloo. The city council is ass backwards when it comes to high rise proposals in the core. Many major developments that seem to have just been sitting for years now and are probably abandoned at this point.
University area and downtown kitchener definitely have a big city vibe now though.
emphurent
Active Member
New photo series taken on a quiet Monday night yesterday.
Move ins will likely start within the next few months, I'm curious how the foot traffic here will change when it's occupied. Right now it's rather eerie all dark at night, usually construction lights would be left on.
The recently redone parkette in front is busy occasionally with people eating at the tables and enjoying the space, will likely be more so when the food block across the street reopens with restaurants again. The variety of seating and lighting is appreciated.
The ground level is pretty abysmal on the tower, so I didn't really feel like even taking a photo of it up close. You can see it in this photo and this is about as close as you wanna get. Maybe with some good retail I'd actually wanna look at it.
The memorial park across the street was also recently redone with better lighting, pavers, and seating. Lost some larger trees in the process though which I think could've been saved.
Move ins will likely start within the next few months, I'm curious how the foot traffic here will change when it's occupied. Right now it's rather eerie all dark at night, usually construction lights would be left on.
The recently redone parkette in front is busy occasionally with people eating at the tables and enjoying the space, will likely be more so when the food block across the street reopens with restaurants again. The variety of seating and lighting is appreciated.
The ground level is pretty abysmal on the tower, so I didn't really feel like even taking a photo of it up close. You can see it in this photo and this is about as close as you wanna get. Maybe with some good retail I'd actually wanna look at it.
The memorial park across the street was also recently redone with better lighting, pavers, and seating. Lost some larger trees in the process though which I think could've been saved.
emphurent
Active Member
The parking lot of the Kaufman lofts is really primed for some densification, it's huge waste of space at the moment.
Taken today:
Taken today:
emphurent
Active Member
Skating rink in progress in Victoria Park, DTK on the right.
The American Block restoration in front will host an upscale Tim Hortons. The heritage lighting is a nice bonus.
DTK poking up from the back, still rather odd how dark it is at night, move ins seem far off yet.
The American Block restoration in front will host an upscale Tim Hortons. The heritage lighting is a nice bonus.
DTK poking up from the back, still rather odd how dark it is at night, move ins seem far off yet.
Bjays92
Senior Member
A picture I grabbed the other day of the downtown skyline. DTK visible on the left.
gabe
Senior Member
Bjays92
Senior Member
This thing owns claim to the title of worst podium I've ever seen. Holy hell
emphurent
Active Member
Photo series from yesterday, with some editing this time.
Starting with my favourite shot I think, the new urban backdrop from the schoolyard.
The pace of unit fit out has been very slow, you can tell from earlier photos to now based on the lit up rooms at night.
The tower looks okay at a distance, but walking up close to it isn't worth it. As I said before, IN8 has done way better podiums on their misdrises, I don't know what happened to make this one so soulless and flat. I can only blame SRM, and since their offices are close to this thing, I hope it haunts them.
The street murals around town are always a joy. With all the new buildings around I'd hope to see these sidewalks brimming with life soon.
The lamp post hides the fact there is still an unfished section months later...
Just for fun since I usually listen to new music while going for walks like this: the album I was listening to was: Let's Do It - Minako Yoshida (1978), track #6 was especially a bop.
Starting with my favourite shot I think, the new urban backdrop from the schoolyard.
The pace of unit fit out has been very slow, you can tell from earlier photos to now based on the lit up rooms at night.
The tower looks okay at a distance, but walking up close to it isn't worth it. As I said before, IN8 has done way better podiums on their misdrises, I don't know what happened to make this one so soulless and flat. I can only blame SRM, and since their offices are close to this thing, I hope it haunts them.
The street murals around town are always a joy. With all the new buildings around I'd hope to see these sidewalks brimming with life soon.
The lamp post hides the fact there is still an unfished section months later...
Just for fun since I usually listen to new music while going for walks like this: the album I was listening to was: Let's Do It - Minako Yoshida (1978), track #6 was especially a bop.
emphurent
Active Member
New podium addition in testing.
Excuse me but, they cannot be fr... Couldn't the strip layout at least be cohesive? (And this is coming from someone who enjoys RGB!)
Excuse me but, they cannot be fr... Couldn't the strip layout at least be cohesive? (And this is coming from someone who enjoys RGB!)
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