HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2024-443 - Notice of Intention to Designate 44-54 Queen Street South under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: November 5, 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
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: October 7, 2024
REPORT NO.: DSD-2024-443
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 44-54 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 44-
54 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 44-54 Queen Street
South under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
l heritage value was
taken to the Heritage Kitchener Committee on August 6, 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 44-54 Queen Street South be recognized and
designation pursued.
The key finding of this report is that the property municipally addressed as 44-54
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. The property is recognized for its design/physical,
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
44-54 Queen Street South is a two-storey early 20century building constructed in the
Classical Revival architectural style. The building is situated on a 0.19 acre parcel of land
located on the west side of Queen Street South between Halls Lane and Charles Street in
the Commercial Core area of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo (Fig. 1).
The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the commercial building.
Figure 1. Location Map 44-54 Queen Street South
A full assessment of 44-54 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 August 6, 2024.
On this meeting date, the Committee recommended that pursuant to Section 29 on the
Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 44-54 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
Ontario Heritage Act introduced
in January of 2023 through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. The City contacted
owners of the listed properties through an initial letter dated May 23, 2023, to inform them
of this undertaking. The property owners were contacted via a second letter dated August
8, 2024, and were
questions, or concerns. No response from 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
ral heritage
value and interest.
Figure 2. Front Façade of 44-54 Queen Street South
44-54 Queen is recognized for its design/physical, associative, and contextual values (Fig.
2). It satisfies four (4) of the nine (9) 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
in provided in the table below.
CriteriaCriteria 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 No
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 building has design/physical value as it is an early representative example of the
Classical Revival Architectural style located within the commercial downtown core of
present-day Kitchener. Built c. 1904-1907, this building is likely to be one of the oldest
buildings in the City and still maintains most of its original elements, specially on the front
façade. The building features brick construction with stone accents; intricate brickwork at
and below the roofline; brick pilasters with stone capitals; and rectangular window
openings with stone label moulds.
Associative Value
The building has associative value with the theme of early settlement and economic
development of Berlin (present-day Kitchener). The intersection of Queen and King Street
was one of the main commercial intersections when Berlin was being developed. Even
though no prominent businesses operated out of this building, this building has always
been used for commercial purposes and institutional purposes, contributing to the
economic development and Berlin and then Kitchener since the town was first
incorporated.
The Euler Business College also operated out of this building for a number of years. The
college was founded by William Daum Euler, who was a senator in the Canadian
Parliament. He was born in Conestogo in the Township of Woolwich in 1875 and attended
the Berlin High School between 1891 and 1893. He then became a teacher and taught at
the Suddaby High School for a number of yearsbefore opening a successful business
college. He also served a mayor of Berlin (present-day Kitchener) from 1914 to 1917. He
then went to on to become a member of the Canadian Parliament in 1917, after being
elected to the House of Commons. As a Liberal MP, he held many positions including but
not limited to the Member of the Privy Council, Minister of Customs and Excise, Minister of
National Revenue and Minister of Trade and Commerce. In 1940, he was appointed to the
Senate by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie. Euler was also the first Chancellor of
Waterloo Lutheran University ( now known as Wilfrid Laurier University). He died in 1961.
Contextual Value
44-54 Queen Street South has contextual value because it is physically, functionally,
visually and historically linked to its surroundings. The building exists in its original location
within the downtown core. The property also has contextual value because it is important
in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of the area. The building contributes to
the visual and architectural continuity of the streetscape, and forms part of the historic
Downtown. The building is located on Queen Street South, which served as an important
historic transportation route and continues to serve as an important transportation route
into the Downtown. The building is also located within the Downtown Cultural Heritage
Landscape.
The heritage attributes of 44-54 Queen Street South resides in the following heritage
attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Classical Revival architectural style
(excluding the front façade of the ground storey) of the building including:
o Location, orientation and massing of the building;
o Rectangular Plan;
o Flat roof and roofline;
o Brick construction with stone accents;
o Window openings on the front façade with stone label moulds and sills, and
window openings on the rear facade,
o Brick buttresses with stone capitals;
o Alternating stepped brick courses;
o Projecting cornice; and
o intricate brick blind arcade above the cornice.
All elements related to the contextual value of the building, including:
o Its original location on Queen Street South and its contribution to the Queen
Street South commercial 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
the Heritage Kitchener committee meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
Municipal Heritage Register Review August 2024 Update DSD-2024-333
Ontario Heritage Act, 2022
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A Statement of Significance 44-54 Queen Street South
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
44-54 Queen Street South
Summary of Significance
Social Value
Design/Physical Value
Historical Value Economic Value
Contextual Value
Environmental Value
Municipal Address: 44-54 Queen Street South
Legal Description: Plan 391 PT LOT 5 & 6
Year Built: c. 1904-1907
Architectural Styles: Classical Revival
Original Owner: Unknown
Original Use: Commercial
Condition: Good
Description of Cultural Heritage Resource
44-54 Queen Street South is a 3-storey circa 1904-1907 brick commercial building built in the Classical
Revival architectural style. The building is situated on a 0.19 acre parcel of land located on the west side
of Queen Street South between King Street and Charles Street in the Commercial Core Area 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
44-54 Queen Street South is recognized for its design/physical and contextual values.
Design/Physical Value
The building is a early representative example of the Classic Revival architectural style located within
the commercial downtown core of present-day Kitchener. Built c. 1904- 1907, this building could most
likely be one of the oldest buildings in the City. The building has a rectangular plan, a flat roof, is 3
storeys in height, and is in good condition.
Front (South) Façade
The ground-storey of the front façade is being used for commercial purposes and has been
significantly altered. Above the ground storey, the second and third storey can be divided into three
bays with four brick pilasters with stone capitals. Each bay includes four 2/2 awnings with fixed
rectangular window pattern, two on each floor, with decorative stone label moulds and sills. Above the
third storey windows and stone capitals are decorative alternative stepped brick courses. The building
has a flat roof with a decorative brick pilasters and intricate brick blind arcade above the cornice.
Side (East) Façade
The east façade is a blank façade and does not contain any windows.
Rear (North) Façade
The rear façade has been extensively altered. The main storey of the building has been parged with
cement with altered door openings. The second and third storey contain six awnings over fixed
windows on each storey with concrete headers.
Side (West) Façade
There are no notable features on the west façade as it is adjoined to the neighboring building.
Associative Value
The building has associative value with the theme of early settlement and economic development of
Berlin (present-day Kitchener). The intersection of Queen and King Street was one of the main
commercial intersections when Berlin was being developed. Even though no prominent businesses
operated out of this building, this building has always been used for commercial purposes and
institutional purposes, contributing to the economic development and Berlin and then Kitchener since
the town was first incorporated.
The Euler Business College also operated out of this building for a number of years. The college was
founded by William Daum Euler, who was a senator in the Canadian Parliament. He was born in
Conestogo in the Township of Woolwich in 1875 and attended the Berlin High School between 1891
and 1893. He then became a teacher and taught at the Suddaby High School for a number of years
before opening a successful business college. He also served a mayor of Berlin (present-day
Kitchener) from 1914 to 1917. He then went to on to become a member of the Canadian Parliament in
1917, after being elected to the House of Commons. As a Liberal MP, he held many positions
including but not limited to the Member of the Privy Council, Minister of Customs and Excise, Minister
of National Revenue and Minister of Trade and Commerce. In 1940, he was appointed to the Senate
by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie. Euler was also the first Chancellor of Waterloo Lutheran
University ( now known as Wilfrid Laurier University). He died in 1961.
Contextual Value
44-54 Queen Street South has contextual value because it is physically, functionally, visually and
historically linked to its surroundings. The building exists in its original location within the downtown
core. The property also has contextual value because it is important in defining, maintaining or
supporting the character of the area. The building contributes to the visual and architectural continuity
of the streetscape, and forms part of the historic Downtown. The building is located on Queen Street
South, which served as an important historic transportation route and continues to serve as an important
transportation route into the Downtown.
Other Values
Economic Value
Even though no notable businesses have operated out of this building, this building does contribute to
the economic development of Berlin and Kitchener. Located on the main economic intersection of
Berlin, where the first buildings of present-day downtown core were built, this building contributes to
how Kitchener has developed over time.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage attributes of 44-54 Queen Street South resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Classical Revival architectural style (excluding the front
façade of the ground storey) of the building including:
o Location, orientation and massing of the building;
o Rectangular Plan;
o Flat roof and roofline;
o Brick construction with stone accents;
o Window openings on the front façade with stone label moulds and sills, and window
openings on the rear facade,
o Brick pilasters with stone capitals;
o Alternating stepped brick courses;
o Projecting cornice; and
o Brick pilasters and intricate brick blind arcade above the cornice.
All elements related to the contextual value of the building, including:
o Its original location on Queen Street South and its contribution to the Queen Street South
commercial streetscape.
Photos
44-54 Queen Street South Front Façade
44-54 Queen Street South Front and East (side) elevation
44-54 Queen Street South Rear Facade
CULTURAL HERITAGE EVALUATION FORM
Deeksha Choudhry
44-54 Queen Street South
Address: Recorder:
Commerical
June 15, 2024
Description: Date:
Photographs Attached:
Rear Facade
Front Facade Left Façade Right Façade 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
arrangement, finish,
craftsmanship and/or detail
Yes N/A Unknown No
noteworthy?
Yes
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
* Additional archival work may be
es
required.
Additional Research
Required
Function: What is the present
Unknown Residential Unknown Residential Com
function of the subject
Commercial
mercial
property?
Office Other Church
Office Other - Industrial
* 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: