HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2026-086 - Notice of Intention to Designate 33 Ontario Street North
Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: March 3, 2026
SUBMITTED BY: Garett Stevenson, Director of Development and Housing Approvals,
519-783-8922
PREPARED BY: Michelle Drake, Senior Heritage Planner, 519-783-8909
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 10
DATE OF REPORT: February 9, 2026
REPORT NO.: DSD-2026-086
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Designate 33 Ontario 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 33
Ontario Street North as being of cultural heritage value or interest.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to request that Council publish a Notice of Intention to
Designate 33 Ontario Street North under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
An updated Statement of Significance describing the cultural heritage value or interest
of 33 Ontario Street North has been drafted by Heritage Planning staff.
The key finding of this report is that 33 Ontario Street North meets four (4) of nine (9)
criteria for designation under Ontario Heritage Act Regulation 9/06 (amended by
Ontario Regulation 569/22) and has been confirmed to be a significant cultural
heritage resource recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and
contextual values.
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 at their
January 6, 2026 committee meeting. Should Council choose to give Notice of Intention
to Designate, such notice shall be served on the property 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.
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BACKGROUND:
33 Ontario Street North is a six (6) storey parking garage built in the Brutalist architectural
style. The building is situated on a 0.74 acre parcel of land located on the east side of
Ontario Street between Goudies Lane and Duke Street in the Downtown Cultural Heritage
Landscape of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resource
that contributes to the heritage value is the parking garage.
Figure 1.0: Location Map of Subject Property (33 Ontario Street North)
A full assessment of 33 Ontario Street North has been completed, including: field
evaluation and archival research. The findings conclude that the subject property meets
four (4) of nine (9) criteria for designation under Ontario Heritage Act Regulation 9/06
(amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22). An updated Statement of Significance
describing or interest was presented to the Heritage
Kitchener Committee on January 6, 2025. The Committee recommended that pursuant to
Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the cultural heritage value or interest of 33 Ontario
Street North should be confirmed by pursuing designation of the subject property under
Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. This work was undertaken as part of the City
Municipal Heritage Register (MHR) Review, initiated in February of 2023. The MHR
to amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act introduced in
January of 2023 through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. Bill 200, the
Homeowner Protect Act, 2024, extended the time municipalities have, to designate
properties listed on their municipal heritage registers until January 1, 2027. The City
contacted all owners of listed properties through an initial letter dated May 23, 2023, and
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an update letter dated February 27, 2025, to inform them of this undertaking. Owners of
properties recommended for designation were contacted via a third letter. The property
owner for 33 Ontario Street North was contacted via third letter sent by mail dated January
9, 2026. This letter was accompanied by the updated Statement of Significance and a
ÐGuide to Heritage Designation for Property OwnersÑ prepared in June 2023. The letter
Senior Heritage Planner with any comments,
questions, or concerns.
Per standard procedure, should Council support the Notice of Intention to Designate
(NOID), the property owner will be contacted a fourth time through a letter advising of the
is
served on the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and the newspaper ad is
posted, there will be a 30-day appeal period in which the property owner may object to the
designation. Note that the City of Kitchener is the current owner and Heritage Planning
staff have spoken with Facilities Management and Parking Enterprise staff who did not
express concerns with the proposed designation.
Figure 2.0: East Elevation of 33 Ontario Street North
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 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 conservation of
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cultural heritage resources for future generations. Designation recognizes the importance
or
interest; 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 or interest.
Figure 3.0: North and West Elevation of 33 Ontario Street North (Google, 2026)
33 Ontario Street North is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and
contextual values. It satisfies four (4) of nine (9) criteria for designation under the Ontario
Heritage Act Regulation 9/06 (amended by Ontario Regulation 569/22). A summary of the
criteria that is or is not met is provided in Table 1 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.
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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 No
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
Table 1: Criteria for Designation under Ontario Regulation 9/06 (Amended by
Ontario Regulation 569/22)
Design/Physical Value
The design/physical value relates to the Brutalist architectural style. The parking garage is
a representative example of the Brutalist architectural style, characterized by a functional
utilitarian design with an open air deck and exterior helix exit ramp. This design gained
momementum in the 1950s and presented economic advantages since ventilation
systems were not required, fire codes were relaxed, and facades to the hide the parking
were no longer required. The parking garage is in good condition and features: a
rectangular plan and adjacent cantilevered exterior helix exit ramp; cast concrete façade
on Duke Street West and Ontario Street North, including decorative details that emphasize
horizontal and vertical lines; utilitarian, open air deck design; and, approximately 9 metres
of the Goudies Lane cast concrete façade with vertical lines and the Electrohome mural.
The mural is part of the Kitchener Downtown Mural Programme which operated between
1995 and 2002. The mural is a mixed media and plaster installation designed by the artist
Cristina Peori, sponsored by Electroho
mural was completed on October 20, 1995.
Historical/Associative
The historical/associative value relates to the direct association with the theme of urban
renewal and association with the Kitchener Parking Authority, National Garages Inc. of
Detroit and McCargar, Hachborn & Associates (today known as WalterFedy). The parking
garage was the first project in Kitch
Kitchener Parking Authority championed the project by identifying the need for a large
parking facility in Downtown Kitchener. A land use analysis report was provided by the
Kitchener Urban Renewal Committee. The committee chose the site at Duke and Ontario
because it was accessible to major parking generators such as theatres, department
stores, churches and financial institutions. The director of planning, William Thompson,
brought in National Garages Inc. of Detroit, a parking garage expert, to prepare the
functional drawings. McCargar, Hachborn & Associates (R.D. McCargar) were brought in
as engineers for the final design and specifications. On June 23, 1967, Council awarded
the contract for construction of the 400-car concrete parking garage, including offices and
storage, to Karley and Kroetsch for $892,042. Council also had to purchase additional
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lands from George and Margaret Harre, Gouldie Building Limited and Kitchener News
Record to facilitate the construction of the parking garage. The total cost of the land and
construction was $1,350,000. The construction and operation of the parking garage were
managed by the Kitchener Parking Authority. The parking garage was officially opened on
June 14, 1968.
Contextual Value
The contextual value relates to the physical, functional and visual links to
adjacent properties and buildings. The parking garage is physically connected to the
former Goudies Department Store (now THEMUSEUM) and continues to provide a
functional link via a hallway between the garage and THEMUSEUM. The parking garage is
visually linked to the complex of buildings at 30-32 Duke Street East, which was built in the
International architectural style with Brutalist and Expressionist influences. The parking
garage and the adjacent complex both represent mid-century modern architectural styles
that broke from previous architectural precedents in their efforts to modernize as part of
the urban renewal plans of the late 1960s. Their similar age, style and materials define the
upper end of Ontario Street North.
Other Values Î Economic
The parking garage was featured in a 2009 European Audi automobile television
database.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 33 Ontario Street North resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Brutalist architectural style of the building,
including:
o rectangular plan and adjacent cantilevered exterior helix exit ramp;
o cast concrete façade on Duke Street West and Ontario Street North,
including decorative details that emphasize horizontal and vertical lines;
o utilitarian, open air deck design; and,
o approximately 9 metres of the Goudies Lane cast concrete façade with
vertical lines and the Electrohome mural.
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.
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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 three separate letters dated May 23, 2023, February 27, 2025 and January 9,
2026.
Section 29(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act requires Council to consult with the Municipal
Heritage Committee (Heritage Kitchener) before giving Notice of Intention to Designate
(NOID) 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.
Should Council choose to proceed with a NOID, such notice will be served on the property
owner, the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in the local newspaper (The Record).
Once notice has been served, the property owner has the right to object to the NOID and
appeal the Designating By-law. Should Council decide not to proceed with a NOID then
the building will remain
2027, after which it will be removed in accordance with the legislative changes enacted by
Bill 200. Once removed from the MHR, it cannot be re-listed on the MHR for five (5) years
(i.e., January 1, 2032).
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
Ontario Heritage Act
Heritage Kitchener Committee Work Plan 2022-2024 DSD-2023-053
Bill 23 Municipal Heritage Register Review DSD-2023-225
Kitchener Municipal Heritage Register Review August Update 2023 DSD-2023-
309
Municipal Heritage Register Review January 2024 Update DSD-2024-022
Municipal Heritage Register Review March 2024 Update DSD-2024-093
Municipal Heritage Register Review April 2024 Update DSD-2024-131
Municipal Heritage Register Review May 2024 Update DSD-2024-194
Municipal Heritage Register Review June 2024 Update DSD-2024-250
Municipal Heritage Register Review August 2024 Update DSD-2024-333
Municipal Heritage Register Review September 2024 Update DSD-2024-361
Municipal Heritage Register October 2024 Update DSD-2024-426
Municipal Heritage Register- November 2024 Update DSD-2024-444
Municipal Heritage Register Review March 2025 Update DSD-2025-031
Municipal Heritage Register Review April 2025 Update DSD-2025-108
Municipal Heritage Register Review August 2025 Update DSD-2025-317
Municipal Heritage Register Review October 2025 Update DSD-2025-357
Municipal Heritage Register Review December 2025 Update DSD-2025-467
Municipal Heritage Register Review January 2026 Update DSD-2025-467
Municipal Heritage Register Review February 2026 Update DSD-2026-044
REVIEWED BY: Sandro Bassanese, Manager of Site Plan
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services Department
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A Statement of Significance for 33 Ontario Street North
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STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
33 Ontario Street North
Summary of Significance
Social Value
Design/Physical Value
Economic Value
Historical/Associative Value
Contextual Value
Environmental Value
Municipal Address: 33 Ontario Street North
Legal Description: Plan 401 Part Lot 2 & 7 Plan 396 Part Lot 8
Year Built: 1967
Architectural Style: Brutalist
Original Owne r: City of Kitchener
Original Use: Commercial
Condition: Good
Description of Cultural Heritage Resource
33 Ontario Street North is a six (6) storey parking garage built in the Brutalist architectural style. The
building is situated on a 0.74 acre parcel of land located on the east side of Ontario Street between
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Goudies Lane and Duke Street in the Downtown Cultural Heritage Landscape of the City of Kitchener
within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the parking
garage.
Heritage Value
33 Ontario Street North is recognized for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual
values.
Design/Physical Value
The design/physical value relates to the Brutalist architectural style. The parking garage is a
representative example of the Brutalist architectural style, characterized by a functional utilitarian
design with an open air deck and exterior helix exit ramp. This design gained momementum in the
1950s and presented economic advantages since ventilation systems were not required, fire codes
were relaxed, and facades to the hide the parking were no longer required. The parking garage is in
good condition and features: a rectangular plan and adjacent cantilevered exterior helix exit ramp;
cast concrete façade on Duke Street West and Ontario Street North, including decorative details that
emphasize horizontal and vertical lines; utilitarian, open air deck design; and, approximately 9 metres
of the Goudies Lane cast concrete façade with vertical lines and the Electrohome mural. The mural is
part of the Kitchener Downtown Mural Programme which operated between 1995 and 2002. The
mural is a mixed media and plaster installation designed by the artist Cristina Peori, sponsored by
1995.
Historical/Associative Value
The historical/associative value relates to the direct association with the theme of urban renewal and
association with the Kitchener Parking Authority, National Garages Inc. of Detroit and McCargar,
Hachborn & Associates (today known as WalterFedy). The parking garage was the first project in
. The Kitchener Parking Authority championed the
project by identifying the need for a large parking facility in Downtown Kitchener. A land use analysis
report was provided by the Kitchener Urban Renewal Committee. The committee chose the site at
Duke and Ontario because it was accessible to major parking generators such as theatres,
department stores, churches and financial institutions. The director of planning, William Thompson,
brought in National Garages Inc. of Detroit, a parking garage expert, to prepare the functional
drawings. McCargar, Hachborn & Associates (R.D. McCargar) were brought in as engineers for the
final design and specifications. On June 23, 1967, Council awarded the contract for construction of
the 400-car concrete parking garage, including offices and storage, to Karley and Kroetsch for
$892,042. Council also had to purchase additional lands from George and Margaret Harre, Gouldie
Building Limited and Kitchener News Record to facilitate the construction of the parking garage. The
total cost of the land and construction was $1,350,000. The construction and operation of the parking
garage were managed by the Kitchener Parking Authority. The parking garage was officially opened
on June 14, 1968.
Contextual
The contextual value relates to the parking garage
properties and buildings. The parking garage is physically connected to the former Goudies
Department Store (now THEMUSEUM) and continues to provide a functional link via a hallway
between the the garage and THEMUSEUM. The parking garage is visually linked to the complex of
buildings at 30-32 Duke Street East, which was built in the International architectural style with
Brutalist and Expressionist influences. The parking garage and the adjacent complex both represent
Page 187 of 282
mid-century modern architectural styles that broke from previous architectural precedents in their
efforts to modernize as part of the urban renewal plans of the late 1960s. Their similar age, style and
materials define the upper end of Ontario Street North.
The parking garage was featured in a 2009 European Audi automobile television commercial and is
listed on the Ontario Media Developme
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 33 Ontario Street North resides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the construction and Brutalist architectural style of the building, including:
o rectangular plan and adjacent cantilevered exterior helix exit ramp;
o cast concrete façade on Duke Street West and Ontario Street North, including decorative
details that emphasize horizontal and vertical lines;
o utilitarian, open air deck design; and,
o approximately 9 metres of the Goudies Lane cast concrete façade with vertical lines and
the Electrohome mural.
References
City of Kitchener. (1966). Minutes of Council. City of Kitchener: Kitchener, Ontario.
City of Kitchener. (1967). Minutes of the Special Finance Committee. City of Kitchener: Kitchener,
Ontario.
City of Kitchener. (1967). construction of a parking garage and
the raising of money for that purpose. City of Kitchener: Kitchener, Ontario.
City of Kitchener. (1967). Building Permit A777 for a Parking Garage. City of Kitchener: Kitchener,
Ontario.
LocalWiki Contributor: Jensenius, D. (2012). Duke Street Parking Garage. Acessed on December 8,
2025 from https://localwiki.org/kitchener/Duke_Street_Parking_Garage
Unknown. (1966). Parking Garage Supported: Duke-Ontario Site Proposed. Waterloo Region Record:
Kitchener, Ontario. Accessed on December 8, 2025 from
https://www.newspapers.com/article/waterloo-region-record-1966-03-04-parkin/185285272/
Unknown. (1967). $1,350,000 Garage Gets Council OK. Waterloo Region Record: Kitchener, Ontario.
Accessed on December 8, 2025 from https://www.newspapers.com/article/waterloo-region-record-
1967-06-23-1350/185334778/
WalterFedy. (2025). About. Accessed on December 8, 2025 from https://www.walterfedy.com/about/
Page 188 of 282
Photographs
Page 189 of 282
Ontario Street South Elevation (North Façade)
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CULTURAL HERITAGE EVALUATION FORM
Michelle Drake
33 Ontario Street North
Address: Recorder:
1967, Brutalist architectural style
November 21, 2025
Description: Date:
(date of construction, architectural style, etc)
Photographs Attached:
Front Facade Right Façade Rear Facade Details
Left Façade Setting
Heritage Planning Staff
Designation Criteria
1. This property has design value or physical value because it is a rare, Yes
unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression,
material or construction method.
2. The property has design value or physical value because it displays a No
high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit.
3. The property has design value or physical value because it No
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 historical value or associative value because it has Yes
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 historical or associative value because it yields, or has No
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 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.
* Additional archival work may be required.
7. The property has contextual value because it is important in defining, No
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 contextual value because it is physically, functionally, Yes
visually or historically linked to its surroundings.
* Additional archival work may be required.
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9. The property has contextual value because it is a landmark. No
*within the region, city or neighborhood.
Notes
Additional Criteria Heritage Kitchener
Committee
Interior: Is the interior arrangement, finish, craftsmanship and/or detail
noteworthy? No
Completeness: Does this structure have other original outbuildings, Electrohome mural; park at Duke
notable landscaping or external features that complete the site? & Ontario
Site Integrity: Does the structure occupy its original site? Yes
* If relocated, is it relocated on its original site, moved from another site, etc.
Alterations: Does this building retain most of its original materials and Yes
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 additional elements or features that should be Mural
added to the heritage attribute list?
Condition: Is the building in good condition? 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 Indigenous Unknown
heritage and history?
*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 Indigenous history associated with the property?
Unknown
* Additional archival work may be required.
Function: What is the present function of the subject property? Commercial
* Other may include vacant, social, institutional, etc. and important for the community from
an equity building perspective.
Diversity and Inclusion: Does the subject property contribute to the No
cultural heritage of a community of people?
Does the subject property have intangible value to a specific community of No
people?
* E.g.- Waterloo Masjid (Muslim 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
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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
Keep on the Municipal Heritage Register
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:
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