Waterloo Region Development News - Page 5

WaterlooInvestor · #81 Posted: **May 3, 2007, 11:33 AM**

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Cambridgite · #82 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 1:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony

Sure you can. You cannot however advertise something you have vested interest in or are involved with that clearly doesn't have anything to do with urban issues. Also, Welcome!

In that case, aweseome!! Here's the thread for Waterscape condominiums in the downtown Galt area of Cambridge.
http://www.waterscape.ca/
It's height separates it from a lot of other recent developments in that area. Because of the historic streetscape and low-rise nature of Galt, tall glass spikes don't fit in as well as they would in downtown Kitchener or even Uptown Waterloo. In the case of this development, it's slightly offset from the very core. It's next to the Grand River, right by the trail and just south of GCI (oldest operating high school in Ontario), by the train tracks.

Cambridgite · #83 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 1:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony

Sure you can. You cannot however advertise something you have vested interest in or are involved with that clearly doesn't have anything to do with urban issues. Also, Welcome!

In that case, aweseome!! Here's the site for Waterscape condominiums in the downtown Galt area of Cambridge.
http://www.waterscape.ca/
It's height separates it from a lot of other recent developments in that area. Because of the historic streetscape and low-rise nature of Galt, tall glass spikes don't fit in as well as they would in downtown Kitchener or even Uptown Waterloo. In the case of this development, it's slightly offset from the very core. It's next to the Grand River, right by the trail and just south of GCI (oldest operating high school in Ontario), by the train tracks.

Cambridgite · #84 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 1:54 AM**

Here's a project that was recently completed there as well.
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/s...ge-Ontario.pdf
This one was basically the kick-off for URBAN developments in Cambridge. It was being developed at around the same time as the U of W architecture campus. Since then, buyers and developers are slowly gaining confidence. A few other developments have followed and more are to come! In fact, the city is now worried about the core becoming overdeveloped with projects that don't fit in, so they have frozen new development until the city's urban design guidelines are complete.
I like the idea of downtown campuses that UW and WLU are supporting. It's a great way to give a boost to the cores and it's a more fun and interesting environment for most students as well. Too bad UW's main campus is out in the middle of suburbia, surrounded by parking lots on all sides...yuck.

Cambridgite · #85 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 2:10 AM**

Finally, here's one more Galt project. This one's not quite downtown, but in an older neighborhood, about a 5 minute walk away.
http://www.sprucegardenlofts.ca/
By the way, does anyone have any information about "the block that rocks" on King, between Francis and Water streets in downtown Kitchener? I heard there was a developer looking to revitalize that entire block of decay. It makes sense with all the other developments popping up, plus it's REALLY close to the soon-to-be UW School of Pharmacy.

Cambridgite · #86 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 2:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterlooInvestor

OFFICE DEMAND IS BOOMING

CBRE: 1Q-2007 Office Report

WaterlooInvestor, isn't this forum supposed to be about specific developments and not just boosterizing the Region's economy? I know that could explain many of the developments, but I thought this thread was about the developments themselves. Anyways, what does German heritage have anything to do with a high-tech company wanting to locate in Kitchener? And for that matter, why would they site that reason for a city where the proportion of people who are of German origin is in decline? Glad to see the office market is booming nevertheless.

jeremy_haak · #87 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 3:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cambridgite

In that case, aweseome!! Here's the site for Waterscape condominiums in the downtown Galt area of Cambridge.
http://www.waterscape.ca/
It's height separates it from a lot of other recent developments in that area. Because of the historic streetscape and low-rise nature of Galt, tall glass spikes don't fit in as well as they would in downtown Kitchener or even Uptown Waterloo. In the case of this development, it's slightly offset from the very core. It's next to the Grand River, right by the trail and just south of GCI (oldest operating high school in Ontario), by the train tracks.

I have no idea which highschool can lay claim to the title of oldest in Ontario, but while 155 years is a long time to be in existance, my alma mater (Lisgar Collegiate Institute in Ottawa) was established in 1843 and is 9 years older.

Cambridgite · #88 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 3:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy_haak

I have no idea which highschool can lay claim to the title of oldest in Ontario, but while 155 years is a long time to be in existance, my alma mater (Lisgar Collegiate Institute in Ottawa) was established in 1843 and is 9 years older.

Did the research and it turns out it's only "one of the" oldest high schools in Ontario. It turns out Galt Collegiate was indeed established in 1852. So we can just sum it up by saying it's a really old school.

WaterlooInvestor · #89 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 9:16 AM**

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ldoto · #90 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 3:12 PM**

CBC eyes growth in region

Fri, May 4, 2007

The London area is at the top of the list for a Radio One station.

By HANK DANISZEWSKI, SUN MEDIA

Fans of CBC Radio One in the London-Kitchener area might finally get their own full-scale station.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is considering a plan to beef up its presence in 15 areas across Canada it considers "underserviced."

The Southwestern Ontario market is at the top in the list because it's the most populous, said Ted Kennedy, chief of staff for CBC's English Radio network.

"Southwestern Ontario is the No. 1 priority . . . we're talking about one-and-a-half million people," he said.

CBC has a two-person news bureau in London but local listeners get a morning show based in Toronto and an afternoon show out of Ottawa.

Kennedy said the CBC recognizes the region deserves better service.

"There was a time when Toronto was more representative of southern Ontario than it is now. Many people in Southwestern Ontario define themselves as 'not being Toronto,' " Kennedy said.

Kennedy said if the plan goes ahead the London-Kitchener outlet would be the largest of the new stations and would employ more than 20.

He doesn't expect strong opposition from private broadcasters serving the London and Kitchener markets because the CBC doesn't sell advertising and has a different focus. "They recognize we're fishing in a different pond."

Kennedy quietly held a meeting at the University of Western Ontario this week to unveil the CBC's plans to an invited group of about 30 civic and business leaders and academics. He said the plan to service all 15 areas will cost about $25 million a year and hinges on funding approval by the Harper government.

David Spencer, a professor of media and information studies at UWO, said the London area is a "gaping hole" in CBC radio coverage and a new station would be welcomed. He expects most of the staff in a London-Kitchener station would be in London.

Spencer said the new station would offer a full range of local news and programming.

"The station here would be very little different from the one in Toronto," he said.

Spencer expects there will be an outcry from private broadcasters in the area. But he said the Harper government, struggling to build its political base, may be surprisingly supportive.

"There are a lot of things happening with the government right now, but alienating the CBC is not one of them."

Cambridgite · #91 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 9:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterlooInvestor

http://www.csb-system.com/home/index...ge=021#germany
Headquarters:
CSB-System AG
An Fürthenrode 9-15
D-52511 Geilenkirchen
Germany
Tel: +49 2451 625-0

Branch office Canada:
CSB-System
INTERNATIONAL, Inc.
41 River Road East, Unit #2
Kitchener, Ontario N2B 2G3
Canada
Tel: + 1 519-579-7272

I imagine they cited German heritage because CSB-System International AG is a German company. I imagine a high-tech company choose Waterloo Region because of the University of Waterloo. Kitchener does still have a relatively large German base. From the 2001 census:

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/cens...530013&Prov=35
Ethnic origin Population Percent
Canadian 55,465 29.48%
German 47,380 25.18%
English 43,030 22.87%
Irish 29,520 15.69%
Scottish 29,320 15.58%
French 17,620 9.36%
Polish 10,515 5.59%
Dutch 7,240 3.85%
Portuguese 5,350 2.84%
Italian 4,670 2.48%

This is just my hypothesis. I'm not German. If you wanted the exact reasons, I'd recommend calling the company.

This is a report about buildings, not GDP.

The CB Richard Ellis reports do relate to development. They come out quarterly and show: office buildings under construction, major leases, absorption rates, vacancy rates, etc.. (the things that developers look at)

Knowing that the Waterloo Region area absorbed 333,008 sq. feet of office space in the first three months of the year, is helpful in discussing future developments. That's almost the size of One London Place (356,000 sq. ft), so it's conceivable that the Waterloo area could get a 100 m+ proposal in the next few years. Being informed on the current market conditions will lead to better discussions when proposals do arrive. (At a 4.9% vacancy rate, it is only a matter of time.)

It's nice to know that 177,396 sq. feet of development is currently under construction. Also that there's a 95,000 sq. feet building planned for the R&T park.

I'm not really sure how an office market report doesn't relate to development?

I see what you're saying about "developments themselves", but take a look around the message boards, and you'll find far less relevant information being posted than office building reports.

You're right. Even if it's declining, 25% is quite high. Higher than probably any other city in Canada. And I didn't realize it was a German company, so thanks for the clarification.

You're also right that there's a lot of irrelevant material being posted on skyscraper. So I guess that's not too far astray from the topic. Well, I hope we do see some major high-rise office developments in the core. The skyline is lacking! There's enough low-rise office parks being built not far from where I live, so I'm sure it's more than achievable.

Cambridgite · #92 Posted: **May 4, 2007, 9:44 PM**

"Southwestern Ontario is the No. 1 priority . . . we're talking about one-and-a-half million people," he said.

"There was a time when Toronto was more representative of southern Ontario than it is now. Many people in Southwestern Ontario define themselves as 'not being Toronto,' " Kennedy said.

This is absolutely true. Halifax has a major news station and it's a fair bit smaller than either of the London or Kitchener CMAs, the 10th and 11th largest in the country respectively (those positions will likely swap very soon). Kitchener is a very fast growing service area and would likely cover Guelph, Brantford, Stratford, and many small town/rural areas. I don't buy the "Kitchener is too close to Toronto for it's own news station" bit, since Hamilton has its own CH News and it even covers Halton Region (Milton and Oakville are quite close to Toronto)! In regards to merging into a London-Kitchener station, I'm not sure what the point of that would be. I actually think that Kitchener is a pretty separate entity from London and if anything, Toronto news would be more relevant to us than London news. Two separate stations makes the most sense to me.

the dude · #93 Posted: **May 5, 2007, 1:23 PM**

ya, hamilton has one REALLY shitty tv station that's stretched over the halton and niagara region. we've been begging cbc to come back here for years but i guarantee we'll be passed over yet again. i do feel that k-w and london should have their own stations but we'll see what happens.

WaterlooInvestor · #94 Posted: **May 6, 2007, 9:24 AM**

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WaterlooInvestor · #95 Posted: **May 6, 2007, 9:41 AM**

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Cambridgite · #96 Posted: **May 6, 2007, 3:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterlooInvestor

I'm not surprised the CBC would locate more people in London. The federal government completely screws over Kitchener.

There should be a seperate station in both markets.

That's because Kitchener isn't viewed as a city on the national stage. People view us as a satellite of Toronto. It kinda pisses me off. Just because we're an hour away doesn't mean we rely on Toronto for everything.