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165 King St W | 3 fl | Completed
#76
(01-18-2019, 06:02 PM)tomh009 Wrote:
(01-18-2019, 05:35 PM)panamaniac Wrote: Most likely a massive blank concrete wall.   Only the section of Hall's Lane between Gaukel and Queen has potential in its current state.

Even between Ontario and Queen would be challenging. On the S side there are basically two parking lots (small one for Walper, large one for 55 King W), while on the N side there are the back entrances of a handful of buildings (including Rich Uncle) but sandwiched between the back walls of 55 King W and the Walper.

My magic development wand allows for sympathetic development of all the parking lots abutting Hall's Lane.  Smile
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#77
(01-18-2019, 04:50 PM)tomh009 Wrote:
(01-18-2019, 03:43 PM)panamaniac Wrote: True.  Without at least three or four businesses ready to commit, I couldn't see it going forward.  Maybe however Goudies Lane ends up after the Queen St improvements (is that scheduled for this summer?) will inspire people.

Also depends on what Charlie West does with its interface to Hall's Lane. If it's a three-storey-high parking garage wall it would not help this kind of concept.

Charlie West will have the sole parking garage entrance/exit be via Hall's Lane (just as 1 Victoria does, another Momentum project). Manulife also has a parking garage exit on that section of Hall's Lane. So the amount of vehicular traffic along there will be an impediment to pedestrianization, unless it's wider than I remember and sidewalks are feasible (or we actually take woonerfs seriously).
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#78
(01-18-2019, 04:50 PM)tomh009 Wrote:
(01-18-2019, 03:43 PM)panamaniac Wrote: True.  Without at least three or four businesses ready to commit, I couldn't see it going forward.  Maybe however Goudies Lane ends up after the Queen St improvements (is that scheduled for this summer?) will inspire people.

Also depends on what Charlie West does with its interface to Hall's Lane. If it's a three-storey-high parking garage wall it would not help this kind of concept.

The problem by CW is that the King St buildings don't really offer much and it's not that long.  Isn't there a significant grade drop?
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#79
(01-18-2019, 06:44 PM)taylortbb Wrote:
(01-18-2019, 04:50 PM)tomh009 Wrote: Also depends on what Charlie West does with its interface to Hall's Lane. If it's a three-storey-high parking garage wall it would not help this kind of concept.

Charlie West will have the sole parking garage entrance/exit be via Hall's Lane (just as 1 Victoria does, another Momentum project). Manulife also has a parking garage exit on that section of Hall's Lane. So the amount of vehicular traffic along there will be an impediment to pedestrianization, unless it's wider than I remember and sidewalks are feasible (or we actually take woonerfs seriously).

Ohhh that kinda squashes things
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#80
Well this brilliant idea is quickly being squashed haha.
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#81
We need to focus on activating streets before we can activate lanes.
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#82
Former Kitchener Budd’s building ‘fully rented’ as renos continue
Quote:Numerous construction delays, asbestos removal and “all sorts of problems” have thrown wrenches into the rehabilitation of 165 King St. W. in downtown Kitchener in recent months.

Last home to the former Budds men’s clothing store, which closed in 2016, the building has undergone a massive facelift over the past two years and counting since it was acquired by father-and-son investors Kamal and Jay Shah, the latter a well-known name in the downtown tech sector who saw big potential in the location, situated directly across from city hall.

While that potential is soon about to be realized — the space is already 100 per cent rented, though not yet fully finished — it probably would have made more sense, in retrospect, to tear the building down and start fresh, admitted Kamal Shah, who spoke to the Post recently, citing “all sorts of problems” since talking possession.
...
“We’ll have tech offices on the third floor, second floor and part of the first floor, and there are two retail stores in the front,” Shah said.

One will be a financial institution and the other is a high-end bar, advertised as AOK Craft Beer and Arcade.

Steve Jenereaux, who started AOK along with partner Dani Stock, said he expected to move in last October, however delays pushed that timeline back to March.

"Our focus is craft beer and retro arcade gaming," he said in an email. "We will have 12 rotating craft beers and around 20 arcade machines to play, including a couple of consoles. Our goal is to create a fun, inclusive space for people of all ages and interests to enjoy retro arcade gaming and pinball."
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#83
I thought the arcade was going in to the basement.  The “financial institution” will not, one hopes, be a payday cheque cashing place!  Smile
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#84
The tech tenant is Faire. They're currently in a temporary spot above Rich Uncle Tavern and not making any secrets about how excited they are for the long-term space.
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#85
AOK Craft Beer + Arcade
1 hr ·
Here's a little update from the Kitchener Post about our future home!

(Just one correction. Our space will be backing onto Halls Lane, but we are still accessible from King St.)
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#86
Makes some more sense.
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#87
There is now a street level window. Unfortunately, the inside still has boards propped against it so can't see what it looks like.
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#88
No boards when I walked past! Most windows were in, but looks like the insides haven't even been started yet, not even framework in for the walls
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#89
Slow hardly begins to describe it ...
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#90
(04-17-2019, 05:44 PM)panamaniac Wrote: Slow hardly begins to describe it ...

Maybe they're prioritizing interior finish on the upper floors? That's fully leased to Faire, which I understand to be extremely eager for more office space given their incredible growth. Whereas other than Aok there hasn't been any news on leases for the retail units. It definitely hasn't been a fast project though, probably due to an inexperienced developer.
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