HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2023-458 - Notice of Intention to Designate 58 Queen Street South
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: November 7, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Manager of Development Review, 519-741-2200
ext. 7070
PREPARED BY: Victoria Grohn, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7041
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: October 5, 2023
REPORT NO.: DSD-2023-458
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 58 Queen Street South 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 municipally addressed as 58
Queen Street South as being of cultural heritage value or interest.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to request that Council direct the Clerk to publish a Notice
of Intention to Designate the property municipally addressed as 58 Queen Street
South under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
An updated Statement of Significance on
taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on June 6, 2023. On this meeting date, the
Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the
cultural heritage value or interest of 58 Queen Street South be recognized and
designation pursued.
The key finding of this report is that the property municipally addressed as 58 Queen
Street South meets the criteria for designation under Ontario Regulation 9/06
(amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22) and has been confirmed to be a significant
cultural heritage resource.
There are no financial implications.
Community engagement included informing residents by posting this report with the
agenda in advance of the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting, providing written
correspondence to the property owner, and consulting with Heritage Kitchener. In
addition, should Council choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice
will be served to the Owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust.
This report supports the delivery of core services.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located on the west side of Queen Street South between King
Street West and Charles Street East.
Figure 1: Location Map
A full assessment of 58 Queen Street South has been completed and included a field
evaluation and detailed archival research. The findings concluded that the subject property
cultural heritage value was taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on June 6, 2023.
On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the
Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 58 Queen Street South be
recognized and designation pursued. This work was undertaken as part of the City of
Kitchener Municipal Heritage Register (MHR) Review, initiated in February of 2023. The
to amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act introduced
in January of 2023 through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. The City contacted
owners of listed properties through an initial letter dated May 23, 2023, to inform them of
this undertaking. Owners of properties recommended for designation were contacted via a
second lette
with any comments, questions, or concerns. Per standard procedure, should Council
support the Notice of Intention to Designate, Owners will be contacted a third time through
a Notice of Intention to Designate (NOID) Letter. An ad for the NOID will also be published
in a newspaper. Once the letter is served and the ad posted, there will be a 30-day appeal
period in which Owners may object to the designation.
REPORT:
Identifyingand protecting cultural heritage resources within the City of Kitchener is an
important part of planning for the future, and helping to guide change while conserving the
buildings, structures, and landscapes that give the City of Kitchener its unique identity. The
City plays a critical role in the conservation of cultural heritage resources. The designation
of property under the Ontario Heritage Act is the main tool to provide long-term protection
of cultural heritage resources for future generations. Designation recognizes the
value; encourages good stewardship and conservation; and promotes knowledge and
understanding about the property. Designation not only publicly recognizes and promotes
awareness, but it also provides a process for ensuring that changes to a property are
value and interest.
Figure 2: Front Façade of 58 Queen Street South
The property municipally addressed as 58 Queen Street South contains a three-storey late
th
19 century building constructed in the Renaissance Revival architectural style. The
subject property is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative and contextual
values. It satisfies four out of the nine criteria for designation under Ontario Regulation
9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22).
Criteria Criteria Met (Yes/No)
1. The property has design value or physical value Yes
because it is a rare, unique, representative or early
example of a style, type, material, or construction
method.
2. The property has design value or physical value No
because it displays a high degree of craftsmanship or
artistic merit.
3. The property has design or physical value because it No
demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific
achievement.
4. The property has historical value or associative value Yes
because it has direct associations with a theme, event,
belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is
significant to a community.
5. The property has historical or associative value because No
it yields, or has the potential to yield, information that
contributes to an understanding of a community or
culture.
6. The property has historical value or associative value No
because it demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of
an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is
significant to a community.
7. The property has contextual value because it is Yes
important in defining, maintaining or supporting the
character of an area.
8. The property has contextual value because it is Yes
physically, functionally, visually, or historically linked to
its surroundings.
9. The property has contextual value because it is a No
landmark.
Design/Physical Value
The design and physical value of 58 Queen Street South relates to the building being a
representative example of the Renaissance Revival architectural style that is in good
condition with many in-tact original elements. While the front (east) façade of the building
is largely in-tact (save and except for the recently replaced windows), the rear (west)
façade has been extensively altered since it was first constructed.
Historical/Associative Value
The historical and associative value of 58 Queen Street South relates to the original owner
development.
The building has direct associations with John Fennell, a hardware company merchant
and founding president of the Kitchener Board of Trade and founding organizer of the
Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
The building has direct associations with Carl N. Weber, a hardware company owner,
long-time member and president of the Kitchener Board of Trade, and director for Canada
Trust, the Equitable Life Insurance Company, and the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance
Company.
The existing use of the building is for The Working Centre, an organization established as
a response to the unemployment and poverty in downtown Kitchener.
Contextual Value
The contextual value of 58 Queen Street South relates to its contribution to a collection of
buildings constructed during the industrial and commercial development of Kitchener. The
building on the subject property is in its original location and maintains historical and visual
links to its surroundings.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 58 Queen Street South resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Renaissance Revival architectural style
of the building, including:
o A rectangular plan;
o Flat roof;
o Brick construction;
o Decorative brick buttresses;
o Decorative brick work; and
o Window openings with stone headers and sills; and
All contextual elements related to the building, including:
o Its original location on the Queen Street South streetscape and its
contribution to Kitchener downtown commercial area.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
of the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting.
CONSULT Heritage Planning staff have consulted with the Heritage Kitchener committee
regarding designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. Property owners were invited to
consult via two separate letters dated May 23, 2023 and August 25, 2023.
Section 29(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act requires Council to consult with the Municipal
Heritage Committee (Heritage Kitchener) before giving notice of its intention to designate a
property. Heritage Kitchener will be consulted via circulation and consideration of this
report (see INFORM above). 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 the right of appeal
to the Ontario Land Tribunal. It should be noted that should Council decide not to proceed
Heritage Register until January 1, 2025, after which it will be removed according to the
changes enacted by Bill 23. Once removed, it cannot re-listed on the Register again for
five (5) years, i.e. January 1, 2030.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
Ontario Heritage Act, 2022
REVIEWED BY: Rosa Bustamante, Director of Planning
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A Statement of Significance for 58 Queen Street South
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
58 QUEEN STREET SOUTH
Summary of Significance
Design/Physical Value Social Value
Historical Value Economic Value
Contextual Value Environmental Value
Municipal Address: 58 Queen Street South
Legal Description: Plan 391 Part Lot 6 RP 58R-9667 Part 3-5
Year Built: c. 1900
Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival
Original Owner: Weber Hardware
Original Use: Commercial
Condition: Good
Description of Cultural Heritage Resource
58 Queen Street South is a late 19th century building built in the Renaissance Revival architectural style.
The building is situated on a 0.06 acre parcel of land located on the west side of Queen Street South
between Charles Street East and King Street in the City Commercial Core Planning Community of the City
of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is
the commercial building.
Heritage Value
58 Queen Street South is recognized for its design/physical, significant historical/associative and
contextual values.
Design/Physical Value
The design and physical values of 58 Queen Street South relate to the Renaissance Revival
architectural style that is in good condition with many intact original elements. The building features: a
rectangular plan; brick construction; decorative brick work; and, paired 1/1 hung windows with
transom and stone headers and sills.
East (Front) Façade
The existing three-storey building is constructed of brick and has a flat roof. The ground floor of the
front façade is currently occupied by The Working Centre, and includes floor-to-ceiling windows with a
recessed entry. The second and third storeys include three windows each with decorative stone
headers and sills. The windows are not original and have been recently replaced. Above the third
storey windows are three rectangles with decorative brickwork. This façade also has a brick buttress
on the left side that extends all the way up to the roof of the building.
North (Side) Façade
This façade abuts the neighbouring building at 54 Queen Street South.
West (Rear) Façade
This façade has been extensively altered since it was first constructed. On the first storey, there is a
door with multiple building system units installed. The second storey contains three row windows in a
one-on-one orientation with stone sills and brick soldier course on the left side of the building, and on
the right side there is a single window with stone sills. The third storey contains three windows placed
at an equal distance from each other with stone stills and brick soldier coursing. The window on the
right-most side has a small balcony.
South (Side) Façade
This façade abuts 66 Queen Street South to the left, and only a portion of the third storey is visible.
This façade contains brick construction and another brick buttress towards the end of the façade.
Historical/Associative Value
The historical and associative values of 58 Queen Street South relate to the original owner and use of
the property and buildings, as well as the contributions made to the history of Berlin (now Kitchener).
This building has significant historical/associative value because of its historic and current use.
John Fennell
The building was once used as a hardware company. The hardware company was founded on June
1, 1863 by John Fennell and carried his name for 60 years. John Fennell was born on August 8, 1837
in Coburg, Ontario. He arrived in Kitchener (formerly known as Berlin) on June 1, 1863 as a young
hardware merchant. He became a prominent and successful businessman in the community as his
hardware company sold plated ware, paint, glass, oils, etc. He was also an important member of
society at the time. He was the founding president of the Board of Trade and was instrumental in
preparing the by-law, some of which is still applicable today. He was also the founding organizer of
the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In addition to these achievements, he also served
-1882, as a Justice of the Peace, and as a Church
d the property and firm
Carl Nicholas Weber
After Carl N. Weber purchased the property and firm, he renamed it to Weber Hardware Co. Ltd. in
1923. Carl N. Weber was born on January 19, 1899 in Elmira. For many years he operated Weber
Hardware Co. Ltd. In addition to his business interests, he was also a long-time member and
President of the Kitchener Board of Trade and was also elected as a chairman of the Kitchener Urban
Renewal Committee in 1971. He served as a Director for Canada Trust, the Equitable Life Insurance
Company, and the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
-W
Hospital Commission for 22 years, and was chairman for 20 of those years. He was a member of the
Board of Governors at the University of Waterloo from the time it was founded in 1957 until his death
in 1978.
Carl N. Weber was also an active member of the Lutheran Church. He served as a Canadian
delegate to the World Council of Churches in India in 1961, representing Kitchener and Canada on a
global platform. He was also a member of the executive council of the Lutheran Church in America, a
member and chairman of its board of publications, and a member of its pension board.
The Weber Hardware Co. Ltd. operated out of the building at 58 Queen Street South from c. 1918
until 1927 when it moved to the building at 66 Queen Street South. The company moved to the
building at 675 Queen Street South in 1987. The company still operates today as C.N. Weber Ltd.
and is one of the rare businesses surviving from the time when Kitchener was still Berlin.
The Working Centre
The existing use of the building at 58 Queen Street South is for The Working Centre. The Working
Centre has been operating out of this building since the mid-The
Working Centre was established in the spring of 1982 as a response to the unemployment and
poverty in downtown Kitchener. The Centre grew roots in the Kitchener downtown through the
dedication of Joe and Stephanie Mancini, a young married couple who had just graduated from St.
interest around responding to unemployment and poverty, developing social analysis and engaging in
creative action.
Contextual Value
This building has contextual value as being built in the downtown commercial core of Berlin, before it
became Kitchener, and is part of a group of buildings that were built at a time when industrial and
commercial development was occurring. Today, these buildings are located in the downtown
commercial core of Kitchener and greatly contribute to the character of the area. The building is in its
original location, and maintains historical and visual links to its surroundings.
Other Values
Economic Value
The existing building has economic value given its history and contribution to the economic
th
development that was taking place initially in Berlin, and then in Kitchener, in the late 19 and early
th
20 century.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 58 Queen Street South resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Renaissance Revival architectural style of the
building, including:
o A rectangular plan;
o Flat roof;
o Brick construction;
o Decorative brick buttresses;
o Decorative brick work; and
o Window openings with stone headers and sills; and
All contextual elements related to the building including:
o Its original location on the Queen Street South streetscape and its contribution to the
Kitchener downtown commercial area.
Photographs
58 Queen Street South Front (East) Façade
58 Queen Street South West (Rear) Façade
58 Queen Street South