TEK Tower (30 Francis) | 45 fl | U/C

[tomh009]

$700K would still be 20% cheaper than the average house in K-W. So, I really don't think the sticker shock would be there.

Factor in condo fees. Factor in that those needing 3 bedrooms probably want some property (for their kids). It's a different clientele entirely that buys these condos vs a townhome/semi/house.

Sure, there are condo fees. But you also pay for maintenance, repairs and utilities in a house, so it's not all that much difference once you do the math.

Anyway, I don't think anyone was suggesting 2000 sqft 3BR condos, but 1000-1200 sqft with 2BR or 2BR+D seems quite reasonable, whether for a smallish family or for empty-nesters. Not everyone has three or four kids.

[dtkmelissa]

Factor in condo fees. Factor in that those needing 3 bedrooms probably want some property (for their kids). It's a different clientele entirely that buys these condos vs a townhome/semi/house.

Sure, there are condo fees. But you also pay for maintenance, repairs and utilities in a house, so it's not all that much difference once you do the math.

Anyway, I don't think anyone was suggesting 2000 sqft 3BR condos, but 1000-1200 sqft with 2BR or 2BR+D seems quite reasonable, whether for a smallish family or for empty-nesters. Not everyone has three or four kids.

I was speaking to a local builder recently who said that he hears from a lot of people that want them to offer 3 bdrms but when they do, those are always the very last to sell (and they usually only offer a handful of them). He said he believed it to be the cost led more people to choose single-detached or town homes for that cost.

Though I do think we (society) need to reconsider what amount of space we actually need to live decently. I suspect it's much smaller than much of the housing in our region.

[plam]

Though I do think we (society) need to reconsider what amount of space we actually need to live decently. I suspect it's much smaller than much of the housing in our region.

Yeah, our 1500sqft 3BR condo is objectively really much more than the two of us need, especially since we've been in a 1BR in Wellington for the last year. But we like it. (Also it's for rent till December if anyone wants one, let me know).

[Acitta]

Tallest condo tower in Waterloo Region will be ‘centre ice’ in downtown Kitchener


30 Francis Street South Condos

[adjlar]

I'm glad that they're developing that open parking lot with this project - great location IMO

[LesPio]

I'm glad that they're developing that open parking lot with this project - great location IMO

As a kid we would visit the "haunted house" that was in bad shape on this lot at Charles & Francis....this corner has basically sat as a parking lot for over 40 years. So I would have to say it's about time.

[ac3r]

But...the shadows...and wind!

Seriously speaking though, this project is almost guaranteed to go ahead for the reasons mentioned. It has been a desolate parking lot with weeds growing through the cracks for so long. There is no reason to not approve it and with no low rise houses nearby, shadows aren't going to be a problem.

[Lebronj23]

Tallest condo tower in Waterloo Region will be ‘centre ice’ in downtown Kitchener


30 Francis Street South Condos

Nice! Does anyone have the Non-Paywall version you could share?

[DK519]

Tallest condo tower in Waterloo Region will be ‘centre ice’ in downtown Kitchener


30 Francis Street South Condos

Nice! Does anyone have the Non-Paywall version you could share?

https://outline.com/xVJbWJ

[Michaelkokokons]

I hope they keep this building the way it is! Maybe do something about that parking garage. IMO I would just have a complete wall & let an artist paint some sort of mural on it that goes well with the building and the surrounding architecture. Either way I like it! Good to see some density downtown! Hope for some more!

[ac3r]

Let's not curse ourselves here by mentioning anything about the parking haha. In fact, nobody should say anything about this project because IN8 Developments and SRM Architects could easily ruin it entirely if they attempt to redesign it like they did with Duke Tower.

[Bjays93]

I think its likely to approved more or less as is and if anything depending on the market we may see more floors tacked on afterward as we have with charlie west, dtk and garment st. There was a 6 floor bump at dtk (iirc) so it wouldn't be ridiculous to suggest this could maybe brush up to 50 stories if it feels like the demands is there for the developers

[ktmbtsmrt]

They should make a ground floor unit for Ziggy's and then hopefully when that building (Ziggy's) gets redeveloped, we don't lose an independent downtown retailer. Or make space for a box store so people who live downtown don't have to go to a mall or the boardwalk or the future smartcentre on Victoria to do their 'basic brand/retail' shopping

[Chris]

They should make a ground floor unit for Ziggy's and then hopefully when that building (Ziggy's) gets redeveloped, we don't lose an independent downtown retailer. Or make space for a box store so people who live downtown don't have to go to a mall or the boardwalk or the future smartcentre on Victoria to do their 'basic brand/retail' shopping

I can't see Ziggy's moving out of a building they own to rent in in a condo.

[panamaniac]

Agree, although it would be great to see the Ziggy's building taken down for an expansion of Francis Green ....