HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-12-044 - Designation under Part IV - 214 Queen St S - York ApartmentsREPORT TO:Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING:
April 3, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
PREPARED BY:
Michelle Drake, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2839
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: March 19, 2012
REPORT NO.:
CSD-12-044
SUBJECT:
Designation of 214 Queen Street South (York Apartments)
under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
RECOMMENDATION:
That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a
Notice of Intention to designate the property known as 214 Queen Street South (York
Apartments), as being of cultural heritage value and interest.
BACKGROUND:
Located on the west side Queen Street South between Courtland Avenue West and Joseph
Street, the York Apartments building is a seven storey residential apartment building in close
proximity to Downtown Kitchener. The property is of exceptional cultural heritage value and
interest as it is the earliest example of an apartment building in the City of Kitchener. Heritage
Planning staff are of the opinion that given the cultural heritage significance of this building, the
property should be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
REPORT:
Identifying and protecting cultural heritage resources within our City is an important part of
planning for our future, and of helping to guide change while conserving the buildings, structures
and landscapes that give our City its unique identity. The City plays a critical role in the
conservation of cultural heritage resources. The listing of non-designated property of cultural
heritage value or interest on the Municipal Heritage Register provides a minimum level of
interim protection from demolition and the opportunity to require further studies as part of land
use planning processes in order to ensure that all conservation options are considered. The
designation of property under the Ontario Heritage Act is the main tool that the City has to
provide long-term protection of cultural heritage resources for future generations. Designation
recognizes the importance of a property to the local community; protects the property’s cultural
heritage value; encourages good stewardship and conservation; and, promotes knowledge and
understanding about the property. Designation not only publicly recognizes and promotes
awareness, it also provides a process for ensuring that changes to a property are appropriately
managed and that these changes respect the property’s cultural heritage value and interest.
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On February 1, 2010 the property municipally addressed as 214 Queen Street South and
commonly known as the York Apartments was listed by Council as a non-designated property of
cultural heritage value and interest on the Municipal Heritage Register. The property was listed
for its design, physical, contextual, historical and associative values. Given the cultural heritage
significance of the building and the fact that listing does not provide long-term protection from
changes to the heritage attributes of the building, Heritage Planning staff are of the opinion that
the property should be designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The design and physical value relates to the Neo-Georgian architectural style of the building.
The contextual value relates to the property’s location in close proximity to Downtown Kitchener
and Victoria Park. The building contributes to the continuity and character of the street through
the use of materials and design details that are found elsewhere on Queen Street. In addition,
the building is an important visual landmark within the neighbourhood. The associative and
historic value relates to the original owner, builder and use of the property. The original owner of
the property was York Realty of Toronto. Construction of the building began in the spring of
1928 with Casper Braun acting as the general contractor. The plans represented Kitchener’s
tallest and most modern apartment building at that time making the York Apartment building
Kitchener’s first high rise apartment building. Casper Braun was a well known builder and
general contractor and a prominent political figure in Berlin (now Kitchener). Additional
information about the cultural heritage value of the property can be found in the Statement of
Significance attached as Appendix ‘A’ to this report.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Community Priority – Quality of Life
The City has its own unique culture and heritage. The City has places, spaces and stories that
enrich, enlighten, and guide growth and development. These cultural heritage resources are
integral to the identity of the City, but they also play a significant role in economic development
by helping to enhance quality of life, strengthen distinctiveness, stimulate revitalization and
attract tourism. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, the City can designate properties of cultural
heritage value or interest. Designation publicly acknowledges a property’s heritage value and
ensures its conservation for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. As a
Quality of Life
result, designation supports the Community Priority of the City of Kitchener
Strategic Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
A courtesy letter was sent by registered mail to the property owner on February 24, 2012
advising of the cultural heritage significance of the property and the proposal to designate the
property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Verbal correspondence was received from
the owner expressing objections to the designation. As of the date of this report, the owner
opted not to submit comments in writing. The primary objection relates to the concern that the
designation will impact the sale of the property. Heritage Planning staff advised the owner that
studies have shown that heritage designation does not negatively impact the value of property.
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The owner is unable to attend the April 3 Heritage Kitchener Committee meeting and
requested that his objections be conveyed. Heritage Planning staff offered to delay
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consideration of the proposal to designate to the May 1 or June 5 Heritage Kitchener
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Committee meeting; however, the owner advised that a delay would not change the situation.
The owner does not plan on attending any meetings.
Section 29(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act requires Council to consult with the Municipal Heritage
Committee (Heritage Kitchener) beforegiving notice of its intention to designate a property.
Heritage Kitchener will be consulted via circulation and consideration of this report. Members of
the community will be informed via circulation of this report to Heritage Kitchener and via formal
consideration by Council.
In addition, should Council choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice will be
served on the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in the local
newspaper (The Record). Once notice has been served, the owner has a right of appeal to the
Conservation Review Board.
CONCLUSION:
Staff are of the opinion that the York Apartment building located at 214 Queen Street South,
meets the City’s criteria for designation under part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, and Ontario
Regulation 9/06 with regard to cultural heritage value or interest, given the building is: a notable
example of the Neo-Georgian architectural style, which contributes to the continuity and
character of the streetscape; the first high rise apartment building in Kitchener; and, associated
with Casper Braun a well known builder and general contractor and a prominent political figure
in Berlin (now Kitchener). The associated Statement of Significance and List of Heritage
Attributes are attached to this report. Consequently, City staff recommends that the property be
designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
REVIEWED BY:
Leon Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO
Community Services Department
APPENDIX ‘A’:
Statement of Significance – 214 Queen Street South (York Apartments)
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Statement of Significance
214 QUEEN STREET SOUTH
Municipal Address:
214 Queen Street South, Kitchener
Legal Description:
Plan 393 Part Lot 57
Year Built:
1928
Architectural Style:
Neo-Georgian
Original Owner
: York Realty
Company of Toronto
Original Use
: Residential
Condition
: Good
Description of Historic Place
214 Queen Street South is a seven storey 20th century brick building built in the Neo-
Georgian architectural style. The building is situated on a 0.34 acre parcel of land
located on the west side of Queen Street South between Joseph Street and Courtland
Avenue in the Victoria Park Planning Community of the City of Kitchener within the
Region of Waterloo. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the
residential apartment building.
Heritage Value
214 Queen Street South is recognized for its design, physical, contextual, historical and
associative values.
The design and physical values relate to the Neo-Georgian architectural style that is in
good condition with many intact original elements. The building features: a symmetrical
façade; red and yellow brick construction; decorative brick work; 6/6 hung windows;
concrete surround, pediment and faux balustrade window details; concrete banding;
decorative concrete door surround, including inscription that reads “YORK”; decorative
wood cornice; and, roofline.
The associative and historic values relate to the original owner, builder and use of the
property. The original owner of the property was York Realty of Toronto (“Modern,”
1928) and hence the building is commonly known as the York Apartments. An
application to construct a new building was submitted by York Realty of Toronto and
Atlas Finance Corporation of Toronto in 1928 (“Modern,” 1928). At the time of
application, the zoning of the property was residential, which prohibited buildings more
than three stories (“Modern,” 1928). The new building was viewed as a large structure
that would be a benefit to the community (“Modern,” 1928). As a result, the Kitchener
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
City Planning Commission recommended that the zoning be changed to a business
section provided that the majority of adjacent property owners sign a petition in favour
of the change (“Modern,” 1928; “Council,” 1928).
“The plans of the building show that the structure will be 50 feet wide and 120
feet long and six stories high with a basement the ground floor of which however,
will be even with the present elevation. Six apartments will be provided on each
floor the majority of which will have five rooms. The ground floor or basement will
contain a lounge room, janitor’s quarters, a doctor’s room, boiler room and
lockers. Brick, concrete and reinforced steel will be used in the construction.”
(“Modern,” 1928)
The plans represented Kitchener’s tallest (seven stories, including basement/ground
floor) and most modern apartment house with 36 suites and a cost of $325, 000 (“New
apartment house,” 1928). Innovative and modern features included: reinforced brick;
fire proof; oak floors; tile bathrooms; black fixtures; inter-suite telephone system; dumb
waiters in the kitchens; hot water; Westinghouse electric stoves; cast-iron copper-plate
Majestic electric fireplaces; electric push button Otis elevator; grates; lockboxes; and,
electric refrigerators (Andrews, 2009; “New apartment house,” 1928; “Live,” 1933).
Construction of the building began in the spring of 1928 with Casper Braun acting as
the general contractor (“New Apartment House,” 1928). Construction was suspended
by Casper Braun in the fall of 1928 due to the financial difficulties of the York Realty
Company of Toronto. Almost a full year later, four local financial institutions (Mutual Life
Assurance Company of Canada, the Waterloo Trusts and Savings Company, the
Dominion Life Assurance Company and the Economical Fire Insurance Company)
attempted to enable construction of the Kitchener York Apartments to resume
(“Kitchener york apartments,” 1929; “Expect work,” 1930). Construction did not resume
until the summer of 1930 when Toronto interests assisted with refinancing (“Expect
work,” 1930). The Kitchener York Apartments opened on Saturday, February 14, 1931
with hundreds of City residents taking the opportunity to tour the building with the
Daughters of the Empire serving tea and Rudy Roth’s orchestra providing music
(“Hundreds viewed,” 1931). According to the Berlin Daily News (“Hundreds viewed,”
1931),“Windows in all apartments make the York a beautiful and homelike place in
which to live.”
Some of the first tenants at the Kitchener York Apartments included prominent family
names such as Breithaupt, Schreiter, Moser and Boehmer (Andrews, 2009).
Casper Braun was a well known builder and general contractor in Kitchener and
associated with the construction of many important additions and buildings, including:
additions to King Edward Public School, Suddaby Public School, and Victoria Public
School; additions and/or buildings at B.F. Goodrich Canada Limited, Dominion Rubber,
Krug Furniture, Lang Tannery, and Uniroyal; and, the Christian Science Church and St.
Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (Moyer, 1979a; Region of Waterloo, 2011). Casper
Braun began his business in 1889 and in his later years he engaged in the monument
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
business on the corner of King and Water Streets. He also owned and operated Ott
Brick and Tile Manufacturing Company (Region of Waterloo, 2011) and Berlin Granite
and Marble Company (Shea, 1989). Casper Braun was a prominent political figure in
Berlin (now Kitchener) and served as a member of the Board of Trade, a member of the
Water Commission and a City Councillor (“Veteran builder,” 1937; Shea, 1989). Bill
Moyer makes the following statements about Casper Braun: “By the standards of the
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early part of the 20 century, he could be considered a giant in the industry” and he
“contributed to the building up of Kitchener more than any other builder in the days
when the City enjoyed steady industrial growth” (Moyer, 1979b; “Veteran builder,”
1937). The York Apartments was his last contracting job before his death in 1937
(“Veteran builder,” 1937).
York Realty Company of Toronto also built apartment houses in Stratford, London and
Peterborough (“New apartment house,” 1928). The Stratford York Apartments were
built in 1928 (Bernie Weber, personal communication, 29 December 2011) by Casper
Braun. The Stratford York Apartments display many similarities to the Kitchener York
Apartments, including: brick and concrete construction; symmetrical façade; red and
yellow brick; 6/6 hung windows; decorative door surround with inscription that reads
“YORK”; and, banding and cornice. The Stratford York Apartments are designated the
Ontario Heritage Act (Bernie Weber, personal communication, 29 December 2011).
The building is the earliest example of an apartment building in Kitchener. The building
continues to be used as a residential apartment building.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 214 Queen Street South resides in the following heritage
attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Neo-Georgian architectural style of the
building, including:
brick, concrete and reinforced steel construction;
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symmetrical façade;
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red and yellow rugged brick laid in the Common Bond style;
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decorative brick work;
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windows and window openings, including:
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6/6 hung windows; and,
concrete surround, pediment and faux balustrade window details;
concrete banding;
o
front door opening, including:
o
decorative concrete door surround with inscription that reads
“YORK”;
decorative wood cornice; and,
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roof and roofline, including:
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narrow parapet with spindle-and-spool balustrade and decorative
concrete panels (currently covered);
plainly boxed cornice; and,
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
undecorated frieze board.
References
Andrews, C. (2009). Ahead of its time: York apartment residents still charmed by 1931-
style luxury. Grand Magazine, pp. 138-143.
Modern six story apartment now depends upon residents: Latter will be consulted
before zoning ordinance is changed to permit building; Elaborate structure.
(1928, January 27). Kitchener Daily Record.
Council will not act until residents express opinion: Decline to extend business area on
South Queen Street to permit erection of modern apartment. (1928, February
30).Kitchener Daily Record.
New apartment house de luxe to be finished by November 1: Work on South Queen
Street block to start immediately; Will have 36 modern suites: New structure to
be highest one in City: most of sub-contracts likely to be given to twin city firms.
(1928, April 26). Kitchener Daily Record.
Kitchener york apartments will be completed by four financial institutions here:
Arrangements underway to raise $150,000 for project and Waterloo Trust Co. will
operate two apartments. (1929, December 4). Kitchener Daily Record.
Expect work on york apartments to start shortly: Rumors say big job will soon be
completed; Building operations commenced two years ago. (1930, August 1).
Kitchener Daily Record.
Hundreds viewed york apartments on opening day: Thirty six smartly designed suites
add to City’s recent residential community: Has many advantages. (1931,
February 20). Kitchener Daily Record.
Live the modern way: Change all your ideas about apartment buildings. (1933,
September 20). Kitchener Daily Record.
Veteran builder ill four months. (1937, March 15). Kitchener Daily Record.
Moyer, B. (1979a). Yesterday revisited. KW Real Estate News.
Moyer, B. (1979b). Yesterday revisited. KW Real Estate News.
Region of Waterloo. (2011). Individual report for Casper Braun. Waterloo Region
Generations. http://generations.regionofwaterloo.ca
Shea, P. (1989). Historic building inventory: York apartments 214 Queen Street South.
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Weber, B. <bweber@city.stratford.on.ca> (2011, December 29). Re: York apartment
building. [Personal email]. (2011, December 20).
Photos
214 Queen Street South
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
214 Queen Street South – Front Door Surround
214 Queen Street South – 6/6 window with Concrete Pediment
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
214 Queen Street South – 6/6 windows with Concrete Surround and Faux
Concrete Balustrade
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