HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2023-479 - Notice of Intention to Designate 4 King St E and 1 Queen St N
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: Raida Chowdhury, Student Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7078
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 10
DATE OF REPORT: October 10, 2023
REPORT NO.: DSD-2023-479
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street
North 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 4
King Street East/1 Queen Street North 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 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North under Part IV of the
Ontario Heritage Act.An
st
heritage value was taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on August 1, 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 4 King Street East/1
Queen Street North be recognized, and designation pursued.
The key finding of this report is that 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North meets
the criteria for designation under Ontario Heritage Act Regulation 9/06 (amended by
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 meeting and consultation 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 Ontario Heritage Trust, and
published in the local newspaper.
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:
4 King Street East / 1 Queen Street North is a 19th century commercial building built in the
Italianate architectural style. The building is situated on a 0.46 acre parcel of land located
on the north east corner of King Street East and Queen Street North in the City of
Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The subject property is located in the Downtown
Cultural Heritage Landscape, and is listed on the Municipal Heritage Register as a non-
designated property of heritage value or interest.
A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and Conservation Plan (CP), both prepared by
MHBC Planning in 2017, were submitted to support the redevelopment of the subject
property and adjacent properties. The proposed redevelopment included alterations to the
ground floor commercial storefronts, west façade (Queen Street), south façade (King
Street), as well as the interior. The HIA concluded that the subject property is a significant
cultural heritage resource and meets the criteria for designation under Part IV of the
Ontario Heritage Act. As of 2023, the redevelopment of the subject property has been
completed, and the rehabilitation work included improvements to the structural integrity of
the building, repairs to the masonry, and updates to the egress. Additions to modernize
the building such as an elevator and washroom were included. The exterior was finished
with various elements appropriate to the style of the building, including trim, decorative
moulding, and cornices.
Figure 1: Location Map for 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North
Figure 2: 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North After Restoration
Figure 3: 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North Before Restoration
A full assessment of 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North 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
st
on August 1, 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 4 King
Street East/1 Queen Street North 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 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 letter dated August 25, 2023,
s, 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 our City 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 importance of a
property to the local community; protects the
encourages good stewardship and conservation; and promotes knowledge and
understanding about the property. Designation not only publicly recognized the promotes
awareness, it also provides a process for ensuring that changes to a property are
value and interest.
The property municipally addressed as 1 Queen Street North is recognized for its
design/physical, historical/associative, contextual, and economic values. It satisfies 5 out
of the 9 criteria of 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 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 design and physical values relate to the Italianate architectural style that is in good
condition with many intact original elements. The building features: yellow brick
construction; individual facades, including some original main street storefronts; simple
cornice with single wood brackets; and semi-circular window openings with brick
voussoirs. The building has been painted white.
South (Front) Façade
The existing building is 3 storeys in height and constructed of brick with a flat roof. The
ground floor contains a commercial unit and the upper storeys contain two full 6/6 semi-
circular hung windows with brick voussoirs and one partial 6/6 semi-circular window that it
shares with 8-10 King Street East on each storey. At the top of this façade, there is a
cornice with decorative brackets and decorative brick work that extends throughout the
façade. The cornice and the brackets used to be red but have since been painted black.
West (Side) Façade
This façade extends along Queen Street North and has a similar fenestration pattern as
the front façade. The façade contains commercial stores at the ground level, with 15
windows on each storey. These windows are 6/6 semi-circular hung windows with brick
voussoirs and sills. At the top of this façade is the cornice with decorative brackets and
decorative brickwork.
North (Rear) Façade
The façade has been altered. The façade did not have any window openings or door
openings and was a blank façade. Since then, the window has been altered with window
openings on each storey.
Although there have been several alterations to the building over the years, including the
alterations that had to be made because of a fire, the building still maintains some of its
original elements and is still representative of its Italianate architectural style and retains
its heritage integrity.
Historical/Associative Value
The historical and associative values relate to the original owner and use of the building.
The original owner of the building was Louis Breithaupt while the original use of the
building was a hotel the American Hotel. The American Hotel was built by Louis
Breithaupt in 1862-1863 for $9000.00. It is estimated that the building has served as a
hotel for approximately 100 years. The building is the oldest commercial building in the
City. Louis Breithaupt was a prominent business in Berlin as well as a former mayor, and
commercial and industrial development.
Contextual Value
This building has contextual value as being built in the downtown commercial core of
Berlin, before it became Kitchener, and is a part of a group of buildings that were built at a
time when industrial and commercial development in Berlin (now Kitchener) was
happening. 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. Furthermore, this
building is the oldest commercial building in the City and located a prominent intersection
in the downtown city core, contributing to its contextual value.
Other Values
Economic Value
The existing building has economic value as being representative of a building with a
history that contributes to the economic development that was taking initially in Berlin, and
thth
then in Kitchener in the late 19 and early 20 century.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North resides in the following
heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Italianate architectural style of the building,
including:
o yellow brick construction;
o individual front, rear, and west facades on the second and third storey,
except for the east facade;
o roof and roofline;
o Decorative brickwork around the single wood brackets;
o simple cornice with single wood brackets; and,
o semi-circular window openings with brick voussoirs and sills on the front and
west (Queen Street) facade;
All contextual elements related to the building including:
o Its original location on Queen Street South streetscape and its contribution to
the Kitchener downtown commercial area.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital BudgetThe recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget.
Operating Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM This report has been
of the council / committee meeting.
CONSULT AND COLLABORATE 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.
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 Updated Statement of Significance for 4 King Street East/1 Queen
Street East
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
4 KING STREET EAST / 1 QUEEN STREET NORTH
Summary of Significance
Design/Physical Value Social Value
Historical/Associative Value Economic Value
Contextual Value Environmental Value
Municipal Address: 4 King Street East / 1 Queen Street North
Legal Description: Plan 364 Pt Lots 13 & 14
Architectural Style: Italianate
Year Built: 1862/1863
Original Owner: Louis Breithaupt
Original Use: Hotel
Condition: Good
Description of Cultural Heritage Resource
4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North is a 19th century commercial building built in the
Italianate architectural style. The building is situated on a 0.46 acre parcel of land located
on the north east corner of King Street East and Queen Street North 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
4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North is recognized for its design/physical, significant
historical/associative and contextual values.
Design/Physical Value
The design and physical values relate to the Italianate architectural style that is in good
condition with many intact original elements. The building features: yellow brick
construction; individual facades, including some original main street storefronts; simple
cornice with single wood brackets; and semi-circular window openings with brick
voussoirs. The building has been painted white.
South (Front) Façade
The existing building is 3 storeys in height and constructed of brick with a flat roof. The
ground floor contains a commercial unit and the upper storeys contain two full 6/6 semi-
circular hung windows with brick voussoirs and one partial 6/6 semi-circular window that
it shares with 8-10 King Street East on each storey. At the top of this façade, there is a
cornice with decorative brackets and decorative brick work that extends throughout the
façade. The cornice and the brackets used to be red but have since been painted black.
West (Side) Façade
This façade extends along Queen Street North and has a similar fenestration pattern as
the front façade. The façade contains commercial stores at the ground level, with 15
windows on each storey. These windows are 6/6 semi-circular hung windows with brick
voussoirs and sills. At the top of this façade is the cornice with decorative brackets and
decorative brickwork.
North (Rear) Façade
The façade has been altered. The façade did not have any window openings or door
openings and was a blank façade. Since then, the window has been altered with
window openings on each storey.
Although there have been several alterations to the building over the years, including
the alterations that had to be made because of a fire, the building still maintains some of
its original elements and is still representative of its Italianate architectural style and
retains its heritage integrity.
Historical/Associative Value
The historical and associative values relate to the original owner and use of the
property, as well as the contribution they made to the history of Berlin (now Kitchener).
The original owner of the building was Louis Breithaupt while the original use of the
building was a hotel the American Hotel. The American Hotel was built by Louis
Breithaupt in 1862-1863 for $9,000.00. It is estimated that the building has served as a
hotel for approximately 100 years. The building is the oldest commercial building in the
City. Louis Breithaupt was a prominent business in Berlin as well as a former mayor,
and his contributions to the development of Berlin form
commercial and industrial development.
Louis Breithaupt
Louis Jacob Breithaupt was born in Buffalo, New York, on March 3, 1855. His parents
Germany, who brought his family from the United States to Canada, which led to Louis
being educated in Berlin and Toronto, after which he joined his family in business in
Berlin, learning the trade of a tanner. He served many roles, from being a salesman,
bookkeeper, and commercial traveler for the house, and upon the death of his father in
1880, he became a member and acting manager of the form of Louis Breithaupt &
Company. In 1890, with Louis Breithaupt now the President of the Company, the
business was re-organized as a joint stock company, also becoming known as The
Breithaupt Leather Company Ltd, have extensive tanneries at Berlin, Penetanguishene
and Listowel, with the head office in Berlin. This company became one of the biggest
leather companies to operate in Canada. This contributed greatly to the economic and
industrial development of Berlin at the time, with Louis Breithaupt becoming one of the
most prominent members of the society.
Along with his business, he has also served as the President for the Ontario Bank
Company, President of the Berlin Gas, Electric Light & Power Company, a Director for
the Economical Fire Insurance Co. of Berlin, and was also the President of the North
Waterloo Agricultural Society. Additionally, he was the first Vice-President of The Berlin
Rubber Company. He was also the President of the Berlin Board of Trade.
For many years he was on the Waterloo County council as a member, serving was a
Warden of the County in 1898. For seven years, he was also served as a member of
the Berlin Town Council, and served as a mayor of the city in 1889.
Contextual Value
This building has contextual value as being built in the downtown commercial core of
Berlin, before it became Kitchener, and is a part of a group of buildings that were built at
a time when industrial and commercial development in Berlin (now Kitchener) was
happening. 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.
Furthermore, this building is the oldest commercial building in the City and located at a
prominent intersection in the downtown city core, contributing to its contextual value.
Other Values
Economic Value
The existing building has economic value as being representative of a building with a
history that contributes to the economic development that was taking place initially in
thth
Berlin, and then in Kitchener in the late 19 and early 20 century.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North resides in the following
heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Italianate architectural style of the
building, including:
o Yellow brick construction;
o Individual front, rear, and west facades on the second and third storey;
o Roof and roofline;
o Decorative brickwork around the single wood brackets;
o Simple cornice with single wood brackets; and,
o Semi-circular window openings with brick voussoirs and sills on the front
and west (Queen Street) facade;
All contextual elements related to the building including:
o Its original location on King Street East/Queen Street North streetscape and
its contribution to the Kitchener downtown commercial area.
Photographs
4 King Street East/1 Queen Street North Front (South) and Side (West) Façade