HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2023-462 - Notice of Intention to Designate 2-22 Duke Street East
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: Jessica Vieira, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7291
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 10
DATE OF REPORT: October 13, 2023
REPORT NO.: DSD-2023-462
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 2-22 Duke Street East 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 2-
22 Duke Street East 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 2-22 Duke Street East
under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
An updated Statement of Significa
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 2-22 Duke Street East be recognized and
designation pursued.
The key finding of this report is that the property municipally addressed as 2-22 Duke
Street East 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. The property is recognized for its design/physical,
historical/associative, and contextual value.
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 north side of Duke Street East, on the north-east
corner lot where Queen Street North intersects and west of the Frederick Street
th
intersection. It is a two-storey early 20 century brick commercial building constructed in
the Art Deco architectural style, situated on 0.09 acres of land in the City of Kitchener
within the Region of Waterloo.
Figure 1: Location Map of Subject Property
A full assessment of 2-22 Duke Street East has been completed and included a field
evaluation and detailed archival research. The findings concluded that the subject
property meets the criteria for designation. An updated Statement of Significance on the
en 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 2-22 Duke Street East
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:
Identifying and 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
s cultural heritage
value and interest.
Figure 2: Front Facade of 2-22 Duke Street East
2-22 Duke Street East is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and
contextual values. It satisfies six of the nine criteria for designation under Ontario
Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22). A summary of the criteria that is
met or not met is provided in the table below.
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 Yes
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 Yes
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 building municipally addressed as 2-22 Duke Street East has design and physical
value, being a notable and unique example of the Art Deco architectural style as well as
displaying a high degree of craftmanship through the many detailed elements of the
structure. The building is two-storeys in height and possesses approximately 50 metres of
frontage along Duke Street East, creating a long horizontal backdrop for the streetscape.
Historical / Associative Value
The property has historical and associative values, as it relates directly to the theme of
economic growth and development in the downtown area and has direct association with
the Breithaupt family through its original ownership.
Since its construction in 1931, 2-22 Duke Street has been home to numerous businesses.
The sites first tenant was Herman Ahrens, who worked as a local tailor. Other early shops
The commercial use of the building continues to this day.
The building was constructed and originally owned by William Henry Breithaupt. The
numerous businesses including the Breithaupt Leather Company, the Berlin Gas
Company, and the Berlin and Waterloo Railway. The family also had a strong political
presence, with different members acting as mayors of then-Berlin as well as being
members of the House of Commons. William H. Breithaupt carried on the Breithaupt family
interest in both the Berlin and Waterloo Railway and the Berlin Gas Company in the early
nineteen-hundreds. Other notable achievements of his include being the first chairman of
the City Planning Commission from 1917-1921 and directly contributing to the organization
and establishment of the Waterloo Historical Society in 1912, acting as the first president
and holding the position for 12 consecutive years. He was involved in numerous major
infrastructure projects and public enterprises, including the construction of the Bridgeport
line in 1902, the Grand River Country Clubhouse, and erection of the Memorial Tower, the
development of the Grand River Conservation Scheme, and the opening of Duke Street
from Queen to Frederick. Through these numerous contributions, William H. Breithaupt
can be defined as being significant to the community.
Contextual Values
The contextual value of the property relates to its physical, historical, functional, and visual
link to its surroundings. The building sits on the intersection of Queen Street North and
Duke Street East, in its original location. It retains its original use as the home to multiple
local businesses. It is surrounded by other historic buildings, including 49 Queen Street
e former
head office of the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Kitchener), and 15-29
Duke Street East to the north (the Federal Building, which is both a Recognized Federal
Heritage Building and listed on the Kitchener Municipal Heritage Register).
Heritage Attributes:
The heritage value of 2-22 Duke Street East resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Art Deco architectural style of the building,
including:
o Roof and roofline;
o Windows and window openings;
o Door openings;
o Concrete sills and soldier course headings;
o Two central brick pilasters topped with finials and decorated with floral
motifs;
o Two-storey semi-circular opening;
o Breithaupt Family Grant of Arms; and,
o Pilasters and decorative stone caps.
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
with a Notice of
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
Bill 23 Municipal Heritage Register Review (DSD-2023-225)
REVIEWED BY: Rosa Bustamante, Director of Planning
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A Statement of Significance for 2-22 Duke Street East
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
2-22 DUKE STREET EAST
Summary of Significance
Design/Physical Value Social Value
Historical Value Economic Value
Contextual Value Environmental Value
Municipal Address: 2-22 Duke Street
Legal Description: Plan 401 Pt Lot 11 Pt Lot 12
Year Built: 1931
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Original Owner: W. H. Breithaupt
Original Use: Commercial
Condition: Good
Description of Cultural Heritage Resource
th
2-22 Duke Street East is a two-storey early 20 century brick commercial building constructed in the
Art Deco architectural style. The building is situated on a 0.09-acre parcel of land located on the north
side of Duke Street East between Queen Street North and Frederick 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
2-22 Duke Street East is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual
value.
Design/Physical Value
The building municipally addressed as 2-22 Duke Street East has design and physical value, being a
notable and unique example of the Art Deco architectural style as well as displaying a high degree of
craftmanship through the many detailed elements of the structure. The building is two-storeys in
height and possesses approximately 50 metres of frontage along Duke Street East, creating a long
horizontal backdrop for the streetscape.
Front (South) Façade
The front of the building faces Duke Street East and is comprised of thirteen pilasters that create
twelve bays of varying widths. The two bays on the west and the three bays on the east may be
additions that were added after the original construction period, as the height of the roof is slightly
lower, and the pilasters differ in appearance. Further, they create an unsymmetrical composition and
lack masonry detailing about the second story windows that is visible on the seven center bays. The
three western-most pilasters and four eastern-most pilasters appear to be made from cast-concrete,
while the remaining six pilasters in the center are brick. Each of the thirteen are capped with
decorative stone detailing, with the two central most containing stone finials and floral motifs as well.
Each bay, except the central portion, contains two single hung windows with soldier course heading
and stone sills on the second story. The centre-most bay contains a two-storey semi-circular opening
that serves as a central entrance. Stonework with the Breithaupt Family Grant of Arms tops this semi-
circular arch.
West (Side) Façade
The west side façade faces Queen Street North and is framed by two pilasters composed of cast-
concrete and topped with a decorative stone cap. A stone belt course divides the two storeys. The
rest of the façade is covered with angel brick.
East Side Façade
The east façade directly abuts the adjacent building and is not visible.
Rear North Façade
The rear north façade is primarily composed of brick, though a portion of the eastern end has vinyl
cladding. Casement windows with stone sills are placed in a symmetrical pattern along the second
storey, except for the vinyl-cladded portion.
Historical Value
The property has historical and associative value as it relates to the theme of economic growth and
development in the downtown area as well as its direct association with the Breithaupt family.
The building was constructed and originally owned by Willia
a prominent family in the history of Kitchener, being involved in numerous businesses including the
Breithaupt Leather Company, the Berlin Gas Company, and the Berlin and Waterloo Railway. The
family also had a strong political presence, with different members acting as mayors of then-Berlin as
well as being members of the House of Commons.
William H. Breithaupt was a civil engineer by education, graduating from the prestigious Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute in New York in 1881. At the time of his death, he had lived to be one of the oldest
graduates of the school. Upon his return from the United States to Berlin in 1900, he carried on the
family interest in both the Berlin and Waterloo Railway and the Berlin Gas Company, which had been
previously managed by his late brother Carl. In addition, W.H. Breithaupt took grate interest in both city
planning and heritage preservation, being the first chairman of the City Planning Commission from
1917-1921 as well as a past president of the Ontario Historical Society. He directly contributed to the
organization and establishment of the Waterloo Historical Society in 1912, acting as the first president
and holding the position for twelve consecutive years.
W.H Breithaupt built the Bridgeport Line in 1902, which were later taken over by the city as public
enterprises along with the Waterloo line and the Gas Company. Other notable builds of his include the
casino for the Bridgeport Railway Park and the Grand River Country Clubhouse, which was the site that
first introduced golf to Kitchener. He was directly involved with the initiative which led to the erection of
the Memorial Tower and was a part of the development of the Grand River Conservation Scheme,
pioneering flood control and conservation through storage reservoirs. Through his efforts the opening
of Duke Street from Queen to Frederick Street was also secured.
Mr. Breithaupt was recognized by membership in the Engineering Institute of Canada (past member of
Council), the Institution of Civil Engineers (Great Britain), the American Society of Civil Engineers (Life
Member), the American Institute of Consulting Engineers and the academic fraternity of Sigma Xi.
Since its construction in 1931, 2-22 Duke Street has been home to numerous businesses. The sites
first tenant was Herman Ahrens, who worked as a local tailor. Other early shops included Freddie and
The commercial use of the building
continues to this day.
Contextual Value
The contextual value of the property relates to its physical, historical, functional, and visual link to its
surroundings. The building sits on the intersection of Queen Street North and Duke Street East, in its
original location. It retains its original use as the home to multiple local businesses. It is surrounded by
Duke Street to the west (the former head office of the Economical Mutual Fire Insurance Company of
Kitchener), and 15-29 Duke Street East to the north (the Federal Building, which is both a Recognized
Federal Heritage Building and listed on the Kitchener Municipal Heritage Register).
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 2-22 Duke Street East resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Art Deco architectural style of the building, including:
o Roof and roofline;
o Windows and window openings;
o Door openings;
o Concrete sills and soldier course headings;
o Two central brick pilasters topped with finials and decorated with floral motifs;
o Two-storey semi-circular opening;
o Breithaupt Family Grant of Arms; and,
o Pilasters and decorative stone caps.
References
Biography: William Henry Breithaupt. Waterloo Historical Society, Thirty-Second Annual Report.
Photographs
Front Elevation (South Façade)
Rear Elevation (North Façade)
Side Elevation (West Façade)
Masonry Detailing
Close up of one bay displaying the different pilasters and decorative brickwork above the second-
storey windows