Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments would pave the way for one of the tallest buildings in Niagara Falls, with the 50-storey Music City Hotel now the tallest development proposed in its Clifton Hill area. Designed by Matthew Schmid Architecture for Plan B Developments, the mixed-use hotel and entertainment destination would rise at 4898 Kitchener Street, with an adapted heritage-listed, 1918-built church incorporated into its base as a live music venue. 

A high-angle view looking north to Music City Hotel, designed by Matthew Schmid Architecture for Plan B Developments

The proposal spans two properties totalling approximately 7,922m² near the southeast corner of Kitchener and Hunter streets, just west of Victoria Avenue and south of Falls Avenue. The primary development site occupies a 1,472m² triangular parcel containing the heritage-listed former Kitchener Street United Church, along with a later 1954 church hall addition and a former manse. Across Kitchener Street, the 6,450m² property at 4873 Kitchener Street is currently operated by the City of Niagara Falls as a municipal parking lot. Victoria Avenue to the east is lined with hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other tourist-oriented businesses serving the Clifton Hill district, while low-rise residential streets extend west of the site.

Looking south to the church at the current site, image from submission to City of Niagara Falls

Designed by prominent Niagara Falls architect William Nichols, the church is recognized for its distinctive amphitheatre plan, Gothic Revival detailing, and stained glass. The original sanctuary, most recently occupied by the Niagara Falls Korean Presbyterian Church, would be preserved and transformed into a 500-seat music venue.

Looking south to the podium and retained church, designed by Matthew Schmid Architecture for Plan B Developments

Rising 50 storeys and 167.03m, the hotel would feature a four-storey podium growing from one side of the church building, replacing the 1954 addition, with a Gross Floor Area of 28,164m² and a Floor Space Index of 19.13 times coverage of the development parcel. The adjacent manse would be removed. 

Hotel ground floor plan, designed by Matthew Schmid Architecture for Plan B Developments

Above the music venue, the hotel would contain 412 guest rooms occupying Levels 7 through 49, supported by a range of amenities throughout the lower floors, as well as a restaurant and lounge overlooking the city from the 50th floor. Besides the music venue, the development would also incorporate dedicated industry space, including recording studios, artist green rooms, and flexible workspaces intended to support musicians and related businesses while complementing performances within the restored church. 

Looking southeast to the parking structure, designed by Matthew Schmid Architecture for Plan B Developments

Across Kitchener Street, a companion parking structure would incorporate one underground level, four levels above grade, and rooftop parking. A total of 485 parking spaces are proposed, comprising 447 spaces within the structure and 38 surface spaces, replacing the site’s existing municipal parking supply. The building would also introduce approximately 1,022m² of ground-floor commercial space along the Victoria Avenue and Kitchener Street frontages.

Looking east to the hotel (left) and parking structure (right), designed by Matthew Schmid Architecture for Plan B Developments

A landscaped plaza, conceptually named Music City Park, is planned along Victoria Avenue. A raised patio beside the restored church is proposed at the corner of Kitchener and Hunter streets.

Parking structure site plan, designed by Matthew Schmid Architecture for Plan B Developments

Niagara Region Transit routes 104 and 204 operate along nearby Victoria Avenue, with stops located roughly 200m to 350m from the development, while the WEGO Blue Line stop at Casino Niagara lies approximately 400m to 450m away. Victoria Avenue also forms part of the Region’s Strategic Cycling Network, linking to the Niagara River Parkway and the provincial cycling network, with planned infill cycling connections identified nearby.

An aerial view of the site outlined in red and surrounding area, with residential in yellow, commercial in red, institutional in blue, and parking in grey, image from submission to City of Niagara Falls

The proposal joins a growing number of stale high-density development proposals in Niagara Falls’ tourism district. Applications include the 17-storey Ice Sculpture Centre & Hotel to the southeast, and farther west, the 14-storey proposal at 5640 Stanley Avenue and the 30-storey development proposed at 5438 Ferry Street. To the south, 35- and 36-storey towers are planned for 5613-5633 Victoria Avenue. 

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, if there is any, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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