HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2024-242 - Notice of Intention to Designate 56 Duke Street West under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: June 11, 2024
SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals,
519-741-2200 ext. 7070
PREPARED BY: Deeksha Choudhry, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7602
DATE OF REPORT: May 13, 2024
REPORT NO.: DSD-2024-242
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 56 Duke Street West 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 56
Duke Street West 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 56 Duke Street West
under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
itage value was
taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on April 2, 2024. On this meeting date, the
Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the
cultural heritage value or interest of 56 Duke Street West be recognized and
designation pursued.
The key finding of this report is that the property municipally addressed as 56 Duke
Street West 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 with this recommendation.
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:
th
56 Duke Street West is a two-storey early 20 century building constructed in the Gothic
architectural style. The building is situated on a 0.34 acre parcel of land located on the
north side of Duke Street between Young Street and Ontario Street in the City Commercial
Core Planning Community of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo (Figure
1). The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the presbytery.
Figure 1. Location Map 56 Duke Street West
A full assessment of 56 Duke Street West 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 April 2, 2024.
On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 on the
Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest value of 56 Duke Street West
by 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
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 at the April 2, 2024
meeting were contacted via a second letter dated April 3, 2024, and invited to contact the
property owners was received by Heritage Planning Staff.
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
value and interest.
Figure 2. Façade fronting onto 56 Duke Street West.
56 Duke Street West is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and
contextual values (Fig. 2). It satisfies five (5) of the nine criteria for designation under the
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 because it is a Yes
rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type,
material, or construction method.
2. The property has design value or physical value because it No
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 because it Yes
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 it No
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 because it Yes
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 important in Yes
defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area.
8. The property has contextual value because it is physically, Yes
functionally, visually, or historically linked to its surroundings.
9. The property has contextual value because it is a landmark. No
Design/Physical Value
The design and physical values relate to the notable, rare, and unique Gothic architectural
style of the building. Construction of the building was completed in October 1922 at the
cost of $46,000 (Fig. 3). The building is two-and-a-half storeys in height, in good condition
with many intact elements including but not limited to: flattened gothic arch windows
openings, gothic pointed arch windows openings with tracery; round windows with
quatrefoils; projecting porticos on two elevations of the building, and red brick construction.
It is likely that the windows and roof of the building have been replaced. However, the
original window openings remain. Furthermore, the round windows with quatrefoils and
gothic pointed arch windows with tracery also maintain their original design.
Figure 3. 1924 Fire Insurance Maps showing the Presbytery.
Historic/Associative Value
The historic and associative values relate to the original owner and use of the property and
buildings and the contribution they made to the history of Berlin (now Kitchener). The
of the property was a presbytery.The building also has associative value for being
designed by Charles Knechtel, a prominent architect in Berlin (now Kitchener) for more
than 40 years.
Charles Knechtel was a prominent architect in the Region of Waterloo at the turn of the
th
20 century, having worked on more than 100 buildings including commercial offices,
factories, and private residences as far away as Galt.
Contextual Value
The contextual value of 56 Duke Street West relates to the physical, historical, functional
and visual links to the buildings surroundings. The building is located on the block
bounded by Duke Street West, Young Street, Weber Street West and Ontario Street, and
.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage attributes of 56 Duke Street West resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and architectural style of the building, including:
o The location, massing and scale of the building;
o all elevations of the building;
o The roofline, including wall dormers;
o red brick construction;
o paired two storey projecting bays on front elevation;
o all windows openings and decorative details, including:
flattened gothic arch windows;
segmental window openings with false wood shaping;
gothic pointed arch windows with tracery;
round windows with quatrefoils;
o dentils on the dropped cornice; and,
o all door openings, including transom and sidelights
All elements related to the contextual value of the building;
o The original location of the building on Duke Street West and its contribution
to the Duke Street West Streetscape.
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 January 16, 2024.
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
Municipal Heritage Register Review Project April 2024 Update (DSD-2024-131)
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A Updated Statement of Significance for 56 Duke Street West
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
56 Duke Street West
Summary of Significance
Social Value
Design/Physical Value
Historical Value Economic Value
Contextual Value
Environmental Value
Municipal Address: 56 Duke Street West
Legal Description: Plan 399 Lot 7
Year Built: 1922
Architectural Styles: Gothic
Original Owner:
Original Use: Rectory
Condition: Good
Description of Cultural Heritage Resource
56 Duke Street West is an early 20th century building built in the Gothic architectural style. The building
is situated on a 0.34 acre parcel of land located on the north side of Duke Street between Young Street
and Ontario 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 presbytery.
Heritage Value
56 Duke Street West is recognized for its design/physical, historic/associative, and contextual values.
Design/Physical Value
The design and physical values relate to the notable, rare and unique Gothic architectural style of the
building. The building is two-and-a-half-storeys in height and features: hip roof with wall dormers; red
brick; paired two storey projecting bays on front elevation; flattened gothic arch windows; segmental
window openings with false wood shaping around the windows; gothic pointed arch windows with
tracery; round windows with quatrefoils; dentils on the dropped cornice; and, wood doors with transom
and sidelights.
Front Façade (South Elevation)
The front façade of the building has a brick portico with voussoirs, and two projecting bays with gothic
arched windows and voussoirs on either side on each storey with decorative dentil moulding. The
projecting entrance has brick pillars on each side with steps leading down to the main street. There
are three gabled parapet dormers above the second storey, with arched windows with tracery and
voussoirs.
Side Elevation (East Elevation)
The side façade also has a brick portico and voussoirs, and decorative dentil moulding. The first and
second storey of the building has 6 gothic arched double windows with voussoirs, 4 on the left side of
the entrance and 2 on the right side of the entrance. There is an additional tripartite window above
the main entrance on with tracery. All the windows have voussoirs and sills. There is also decorative
dentil moulding with a dropped cornice on the upper storey and 4 gabled parapet dormers, with gothic
arched windows and voussoirs and tracery, a round window with tracery, and a double window with
tracery. Due to the topography of the hill the building is located on, part of the stone foundation can be
seen with double windows on the lower level.
Rear Elevation (North Elevation)
The rear elevation of the building has an irregular fenestration pattern, with arched windows and
voussoirs. There are also projecting entrances on the façade that provide an alternate entrance to the
building, as well as connect it to the church.
Side Elevation (West Elevation)
The side façade also has a brick portico and voussoirs, and decorative dentil moulding. The first and
second storey of the building has 6 gothic arched double windows with voussoirs, 4 on the left side of
the entrance and 2 on the right side of the entrance. There is additional tripartite window above the
main entrance with tracery. All the windows have voussoirs and sills. There is also decorative dentil
moulding with a dropped cornice on the upper storey and 4 gabled parapet dormers, with gothic
arched windows and voussoirs and tracery, a round window with tracery, and a double window with
tracery. Due to the topography of the hill the building is located on, part of the stone foundation can be
seen with double windows on the lower level.
Historical/Associative Value
The historic and associative values relate to the original owner and use of the property and buildings
and the contribution they made to the history of Berlin (now Kitchener). The original owner of the
original use of the property was a
presbytery. The building also has associative value for being designed by Charles Knetchel, a
prominent architect in Berlin (now Kitchener) for more than 40 years.
The historic and associative values
73 Young Street) relate to the original owner and use of the property and buildings, and the
contributions they made to . This land has always been used a church and contains
one of the oldest churches in Kitchener.
The church today sits on land that was purchased on August 16, 1854 from David Weber for $200.00.
ch to
attend mass. In 1852, Kitchener (Berlin) was chosen to be the county seat. Since this was chosen to
be the leading community, the Jesuits chose the this area to make a community centre. Father Rupert
Ebner S.J., who was the spiritual leader from 1848 to 1856, encouraged the Catholics of Strassburg
Williamsburg, Bridgeport, and Lexington to unite with those of Berlin to build a church, and the group
agreed. On September 17, 1854, the cornerstone was laid by Bishop DeCharbonnel of the Toronto
Diocese. The church was completed in 1856, blessed by Bishop Farell, the first Bishop of Hamilton,
and was given the title of St. Mary of the Seven Dolors. The original church measured 80 by 40 feet
with additions being constructed in the next few years.
On June 26, 1892, a meeting held in the church resulted in a discussion for funding the construction
of a new church because of crowding and it was decided that the church would collect monthly
funding to fund the new church. By 1899, the church had sufficient funds to purchase the adjoining
land from John Fennell for $7,500.00. On September 30, 1900, Bishop T. J. Downing laid the
cornerstone and in the late autumn of 1903, the church was completed. It had been planned by Arthur
William Holmes of Toronto. Iner was
Berlin, makes this church one of the oldest churches and buildings in Kitchener, thus having
significant historical and associative value.
The Rectory
Father Laufhuber S. J. began a house-to-house canvass for funds to build a sacristy and rectory
shortly after his arrival as a pastor in 1857. The sacristy was built first, and he lived there until the
rectory was completed, and took an active role in planning and directing the construction of the
building. The first floor became the first separate school and the rooms on the second floor became
This building was situated immediately infront of where the
present church stands, and was torn down in 1897.
College, and was rented to the parish priests. Since the rectory was urgently needed to keep the
school functioning, the Fathers immediately took up residence in the new rectory.
A parish meeting was called on March 14, 1915 to discuss a new rectory, with a delegation being sent
to the Bishop to enquire about placing a mortgage on the church for this purpose. It took until August
22, 1921 to release the contract to build the new rectory. The Rectory (located at 56 Duke Street
West) was completed in October 1922, at the cost of $46,000. The Fathers moved into the rectory on
st
from 19-21 of October. The new rectory was designed by Charles Knetchel and Reitzel Brothers
from Waterloo were the builders.
The
Holy name Society and the Young Ladies Society. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman Krug, owner of the
prominent Krug Furniture Company, presented the furniture for the office and waiting rooms. In 1939,
the exterior of the rectory was painted, and in 1944 repairs were made to the interior and exterior of
the rectory. In 1956, the Church briefly hosted a distinguished visitor at the rectory, His Excellency
Archbishop Giovanni Panico, D.D. representative of His Holiness Pope Pius XII, and head of the
Apostolic Delegation to Canada on October 25, 1956. Today, the building is still used as a residence
and an office.
Charles Knetchel
Charles Knetchel was born in Mannheim, Waterloo County, Ontario on November 22, 1869. He never
formally studied architecture but instead received much of his knowledge of design and construction
from his father, Jonas Knetchel,
Knetchel then opened his own office in Kitchener (then Berlin) in 1895 and continued to practice until
after 1930.
He has worked on more than a 100 buildings in the Waterloo Region, including churches, schools,
commercial offices, factories, and private residences as far away as Galt and Durham in Ontario. He
remained active in the profession for nearly 40 years until 1928, and later died in Kitchener on
October 5, 1951.
Contextual Value
The contextual value of 56 Duke Street West relates to the physical, historical, functional and visual
links to the buildings surroundings. The building is located on the block bounded by Duke Street West,
Young Street, Weber Street West and Ontario Street, and is related
Church. The west portion of this block has been historically owned by the church. Historic buildings still
Dame Convent). In addition, the Presbytery has a strong visual presence, including important views,
on Duke Street as the building occupies a large site slightly elevated on a hill.
Other Values
Social Value
hip that has been in
Kitchener for over a century. This building has been supporting these services for over 100 years and
has become a landmark and a place of importance in the community. Places of worship often provide
intangible community value as a place where people gather and are often a central piece of a
community.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage attributes of 56 Duke Street West resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and architectural style of the building, including:
o The location, massing and scale of the building;
o all elevations of the building;
o The roofline, including wall dormers;
o red brick construction;
o paired two storey projecting bays on front elevation;
o all windows openings and decorative details, including:
flattened gothic arch windows;
segmental window openings with false wood shaping;
gothic pointed arch windows with tracery;
round windows with quatrefoils;
o dentils on the dropped cornice; and,
o all door openings, including transom and sidelights
All elements related to the contextual value of the building;
o The original location of the building on Duke Street West and its contribution to the Duke
Street West Streetscape.
Photos
56 Duke Street West
56 Duke Street West
56 Duke Street West
56 Duke Street West
References
Vernon, H. & Son. (1910). Alphabetical, Business and
th
Miscellaneous Directory: For the Years 1910-1911 (8 Ed.). Hamiltion, ON: Griffen & Richmond.
Centennial 1857-1957 Issue, accessed from The Kitchener Public Library
Archives, pp. 9-34
Town of Berlin Fire Insurance Maps 1904
City of Kitchener Fire Insurance Maps - 1925
N/A, Some Facts about
Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800-1950 (N/A), Knechtel, Charles, accessed via
http://www.dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/223
View of Young and Duke Street. 56 Duke Street highlighted by red arrow. (Kitchener Public Library, date
unknown)
View of Young and Duke Street. 56 Duke Street highlighted by red arrow. (Kitchener Public Library, date
unknown)
Approximate Location of 56 Duke Street highlighted in red box - 1904 Fire Insurance Maps
1924 Fire Insurance Map Location of 56 Duke Street West highlighted by red arrow.
CULTURAL HERITAGE EVALUATION FORM
Deeksha Choudhry
56 Duke Street West
Address: Recorder:
March 1, 2024
Description: Date:
Photographs Attached:
Front Facade Left Façade Right Façade Rear Facade Details Setting
Recorder Heritage Kitchener Heritage Planning Staff
Designation Criteria
Committee
1. This property has
N/A Unknown No
N/A Unknown No
design value or
Yes
Yes
physical value
because it is a rare,
unique,
representative or
early example of a
style, type,
expression, material
or construction
method.
2. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
design value or
Yes Yes
physical value
because it displays a
high degree of
craftsmanship or
artistic merit.
3. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
design value or
Yes Yes
physical value
because it
demonstrates a high
degree of technical or
scientific
achievement.
* E.g. - constructed with a
unique material
combination or use,
incorporates challenging
geometric designs etc.
4. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
historical value or
Yes
Yes
associative value
because it has direct
associations with a
theme, event, belief,
person, activity,
organization or
institution that is
significant to a
community.
* Additional archival work
may be required.
5. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
historical or
Yes
Yes
associative value
because it yields, or
has the potential to
yield, information
that contributes to an
understanding of a
community or
culture.
* E.g - A commercial
building may provide an
understanding of how the
economic development of
the City occured.
Additional archival work
may be required.
6. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
historical value or
Yes
Yes
associative value
because it
demonstrates or
reflects the work or
ideas of an architect,
artist, builder,
designer or theorist
who is significant to a
community.
* Additional archival work
may be required.
7. The property has
N/A Unknown No
N/A Unknown No
contextual value
Yes
Yes
because it is
important in defining,
maintaining or
supporting the
character of an area.
* E.g. - It helps to define
an entrance point to a
neighbourhood or helps
establish the (historic)
rural character of an area.
8. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
contextual value
Yes
Yes
because it is
physically,
functionally, visually
or historically linked
to its surroundings.
* Additional archival work
may be required.
9. The property has
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
contextual value
Yes Yes
because it is a
landmark.
*within the region, city or
neighborhood.
Notes
Additional Criteria Recorder Heritage Kitchener
Committee
Interior: Is the interior
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
arrangement, finish,
Yes
Yes
craftsmanship and/or detail
noteworthy?
Completeness: Does this
N/A Unknown No
N/A Unknown No
structure have other original
Yes
Yes
outbuildings, notable
landscaping or external
features that complete the
site?
Site Integrity: Does the
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
structure occupy its original
Yes
Yes
site?
* If relocated, is it relocated on its
original site, moved from another site,
etc.
Alterations: Does this building
N/A Unknown No
N/A Unknown No
retain most of its original
Yes
Yes
materials and design features?
Please refer to the list of
heritage attributes within the
Statement of Significance and
indicate which elements are
still existing and which ones
have been removed.
Alterations: Are there
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
additional elements or
Yes Yes
features that should be added
to the heritage attribute list?
Condition: Is the building in
N/A Unknown No N/A Unknown No
good condition?
Yes
Yes
*E.g. - Could be a good candidate for
adaptive re-use if possible and
contribute towards equity-building
and climate change action.
Indigenous History: Could this
site be of importance to
N/A Unknown No YN/A Unknown No Yes
Indigenous heritage and
Additional Research Required
es
history?
Additional Research
Required
*E.g. - Site within 300m of water
sources, near distinct topographical
land, or near cemeteries might have
archaeological potential and
indigenous heritage potential.
Could there be any urban
N/A Unknown No Yes
Indigenous history associated
Additional Research Required
with the property?
N/A Unknown No Y
es
* Additional archival work may be
Additional Research
required.
Required
Function: What is the present
Unknown Residential Unknown Residential Com
function of the subject
Commercial
mercial
property?
Office Other Church
Office Other -
________________
* Other may include vacant, social,
institutional, etc. and important for
the community from an equity
building perspective.
Diversity and Inclusion: Does
N/A Unknown No YN/A Unknown No Yes
the subject property
es
contribute to the cultural
Additional Research Required
Additional Research
heritage of a community of
Required
people?
Does the subject property
N/A Unknown No Yes
have intangible value to a
N/A Unknown No Y
specific community of people?
Additional Research Required
es
Additional Research
* E.g.- Waterloo Masjid (Muslim
Required
Society of Waterloo & Wellington
Counties) was the first established
Islamic Center and Masjid in the
Region and contributes to the history
of the Muslim community in the area.
Notes about Additional Criteria Examined
Recommendation
Does this property meet the definition of a significant built heritage resource, and should it be designated
under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act? (Does it meet two or more of the designation criteria?)
N/A Unknown No Yes
If not, please select the appropriate action for follow-up
Remove from the Municipal Heritage Register
Additional Research Required
Other:
General / Additional Notes
TO BE FILLED BY HERITAGE PLANNING STAFF:
Date of Property Owner Notification: