Category - Real-estate
Weekly ‘Roundup’ of real estate news from Waterloo Region and Guelph
Ten articles from the week of May 11th to the 17th
City aims to make Kitchener a musical destination
This city’s push to leverage live music for economic development puts it ahead of larger and smaller municipalities across southern Ontario, the head of Music Canada said. The Record
The city’s 68km off-road trail system is about to get a little bit longer in Hespeler. Cambridge Times
Eateries lead the charge in downtown revitalization
A couple of women are sitting in the shade under the awning at Holy Guacamole on Duke Street — a small block hailed as big success for downtown revitalization. The Record
Privatization of city parking an option, Guelph committee hears
Officials working on a parking master plan for the downtown core have considered all options, including privatization, a city committee heard Monday. Guelph Mercury
Leap of faith gives convent new life in Guelph
The Sisters of Loretto Convent was never the architectural superstar of Catholic Hill, a collection of 19th century limestone religious and educational buildings perched high above the city of Guelph, Ont. Globe and Mail
MacNeil Consumer Healthcare expanding in Guelph
Major expansion work is underway at the McNeil Consumer Heathcare facility on Woodlawn Road in the city. The plant manufactures over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Benadryl, Imodium and Sudafed. McNeil is a division of Johnson & Johnson Inc. Guelph Mercury
City politicians have identified eight key priorities for the continued growth and success of uptown Waterloo. Waterloo Chronicle
City hall wants Guelph to grow faster
City staff is recommending council approve more residential units than usual this year, after building the last few years has come in under target. Guelph Mercury
Delta in downtown Kitchener to become a Crowne Plaza hotel
The Delta Hotel in downtown Kitchener is being turned into a Crowne Plaza hotel and is undergoing an extensive multi-million dollar renovation. Guelph Mercury
Waterloo falls short on development charge targets
The City of Waterloo failed to meet its development charge targets in 2012, mostly due to the changing landscape of residential development. The Record
Weekly ‘Roundup’ of real estate news from Waterloo Region and Guelph
Eight articles from the week of May 4th to the 10th
Downtown BIA to ask council for expansion of its boundaries
Local digital media cluster gathering momentum
Waterloo approves putting St. Louis lands up for sale
Cambridge shirt company resurrected … sort of
Flowers no more: Construction firm takes over iconic Gmelins building in Cambridge
Saying goodbye to Waterloo Lanes: city’s only bowling alley closing after 64 years
Waterloo council balks at spending for planning around LRT stations
Weekly ‘Roundup’ of real estate news from Waterloo Region and Guelph
Nine articles from the week of April 27th to May 3rd
Waterloo, developers working things out on Northdale appeals
The City of Waterloo is hoping it can settle appeals of its plan for the Northdale neighbourhood without a long battle at the Ontario Municipal Board. The Record
Controversial Guelph student housing proposal gets municipal board approval
A big hurdle seems to have been cleared over a controversial proposal to develop a student housing highrise across from the University of Guelph campus. Guelph Mercury
Property owners take city to municipal board over driveway
Controversy over a driveway has landed the City of Waterloo at the Ontario Municipal Board. The Record
Nothing plain about Jane’s Walk
Hot on the heels of Doors Open Guelph is another opportunity to see places and learn the stories of city you can’t find in a history book. Guelph Mercury
Taxpayers take hit for industrial and multi-residential properties
Homeowners will have to shoulder a bigger share of the property tax burden this year after city council decided Monday to shift some of the burden off of industrial and multi-residential properties. Guelph Tribune
City chiefs pitch joint economic development plan for all of region
In the next two months, city officials will consider an unprecedented move — working together on economic development and a strategy for industrial land. The Record
Value Village store proposed for St. Jacobs power centre
The power centre in St. Jacobs would see the addition of a Value Village location and a rearrangement of the Walmart store to allow for more grocery items under a plan introduced this week at Woolwich council. Observer Xtra
Office comforts without ties to the office
If you are running a small business, you may already be making regular trips to Staples for office supplies but thanks to a new project launched this week you can virtually operate your business from there as well. Guelph Mercury
Knape & Vogt to close Kitchener plant; 200 workers affected
U.S.-based manufacturer Knape & Vogt says its Kitchener plant will soon shut down, putting more than 200 people out of work. CTV News
Weekly ‘Roundup’ of real estate news from Waterloo Region and Guelph
Five articles from the week of April 20th to the 26th
Waterloo Region housing starts dip in annual analysis
A new Conference Board of Canada report suggests housing growth rates in Waterloo Region are slower than those in most major Canadian cities. CTV News
BGI Retail opens “flagship” of Brant 403 Business Park
BGI Retail opened the Brant 403 Business Park in a big way when it welcomed visitors on Friday for tours of its new home. Brantford Expositor
Kitchener backs digital media centre
The intersection of Charles and Gaukel streets will soon be an important crossroads for art, design and technology following city councillors’ unanimous support Monday for a digital media centre. The Record
Stratford Accelerator Centre aims to foster ecosystem of tech startups
In the modern, brightly lit offices, meeting rooms and common spaces of the recently launched Stratford Accelerator Centre, fledgling technology-based businesses are learning to fly. Stratford Beacon Herald
Doors open, Guelph
Residents and visitors alike will have an opportunity to view several of Guelph’s finest buildings – many not normally open to the public – at the 12th annual Doors Open Guelph on Saturday April 27. Guelph Tribune
Weekly ‘Roundup’ of real estate news from Waterloo Region and Guelph
15 articles from the week of April 6th to the 19th
The Elmira business now known as Premier Equipment has seen many changes in its history. With a groundbreaking ceremony this week, the company’s embarked on yet another: setting the foundation for a new home in the community. Observer Xtra
Servicing only one of the limits on growth in Breslau
Facing a demand for growth in Breslau that far outstrips capacity, Woolwich eased the situation somewhat in a cross-border agreement with Kitchener approved last week. Observer Xtra
Citizens and politicians sound alarms over OMB ruling
Waterloo Regional councillors and residents say the Region’s future hangs in the balance following a recent ruling by the Ontario Municipal Board. CTV News Kitchener
Developer agrees to changes on Waterloo residential project on Churchill Street
Krissons Holding Limited has made peace with the neighbourhood on a three-storey residential development project that will proceed after Waterloo city council approved a zoning change Monday. The Record
Bingemans president wants city to OK casino
A leading entertainment entrepreneur wants city councillors to say “yes” to a casino here so everyone can find out exactly what impact a gambling operation would have on the community. The Record
Brantford marked its fourth-highest year in 2012 when it came to the value of building permits in the city. Brantford Expositor
City council will be asked to put a timeline on any lease negotiated with the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre for the timekeeper’s building, Cockshutt Plow Co. office portico and surrounding lands. Brantford Expositor
Official plan review spurs many ideas
A smorgasbord of ideas came forward this week as the city kicked off a review of its official plan. Brantford Expositor
Ontario will apply to side with region in court case over urban sprawl
The Region of Waterloo now has a powerful ally in its bid to have the courts reverse a tribunal decision in January that opened much more land to suburban development than the region wanted. The Record
Historic train station store gets a new wing
One of the oldest buildings in Waterloo now has a new look. The Paul Puncher menswear shop, which sells high-end clothing, has added a new wing to the 103-year-old Waterloo Train Station where it is housed. CBC News
Members of the economic development advisory committee (EDAC) are about begin work on a new tool to assist people better understand the city’s planning process. Cambridge Times
New art and design hub proposed for downtown Kitchener
City of Kitchener staff are recommending that council facilitate the creation of a new space in the downtown for artists, designers, and technology professionals to collaborate. CBC News
Cambridge’s dwindling housing starts are causing concern for the city’s economic development advisory committee. Cambridge Times
Land clearing begins for new Lowes in Cambridge
Ground has been broken on the new Lowes store being built at the corner of Pinebush Road and Conestoga Boulevard behind the new Canadian Tire store. Cambridge Times
Grocer eyes former Price Chopper store
A city council task force on Wednesday heard about some promising developments for two vacant properties on Colborne Street East. Brantford Expositor
Weekly ‘Roundup’ of real estate news from Waterloo Region and Guelph
For the week of January 26th to February 1
Last year’s residential permits well below 10-year average
The value of commercial building permits issued by city hall climbed more than sixfold in 2012 over the previous year and was the highest total in the last decade or so. Stratford Beacon Herald
A&W looks to set up shop in former Guelph Taco Bell location
A new A&W Restaurant is coming to Guelph. The company is in the process of setting up a new location on Wellington Street, just east of Gordon Street, in what used to be a Taco Bell restaurant. Guelph Mercury
West end Guelph lands once again coming back before council
More than four years after a mediated settlement paved the way for development of a large west-end property, the issue is coming back before city council. Guelph Mercury
Another grocery store in the west end? And still the east has nothing
It looks like there could be another grocery store in the west end of the city. There’s an official plan and zoning bylaw amendment application in front of the city for the former La Farge lands, now referred to as Silvercreek Junction. Guelph Mercury
Next phase of Boardwalk shopping complex approved in Waterloo
City council gave the go-ahead Monday for construction to continue on the landmark Boardwalk development. The Record
Guelph residential properties will continue to gain value, Guelph Real Estate conference hears
House prices in Guelph will continue to rise, Chris Bisson told a room full of real estate agents, mortgage brokers, real estate lawyers and clients at the Guelph Real Estate Pulse Conference this week. Guelph Mercury
Weekly roundup of real estate news in Waterloo Region, Guelph and the surrounding markets
In our teams ongoing effort to inform and comment on the commercial real estate market in Waterloo Region and Guelph we are providing the first of of weekly “roundup” of the news related to the real estate market and the economy in our local market. We appreciate your comments or questions.
For the week of August 4th to August 10th, 2012.
While we find ourselves in middle of the summer holiday season and activity levels are a little slower, as a result, there was still some interesting news coming out this week including several new projects being announced, a significant infill site in Kitchener sells and some other ”tidbits”.
- UW grad donates technology park building to alma mater
- New tenant could save old building on Tannery property
- Barrel Yards developer to reveal hotel operator
- Longtime city planner retiring
- City considers planning study for Erbsville Road
- Local developer purchases long-empty Margaret Avenue land
- Medical centre will fill void in Waterloo area
- Guelph Curling Club is staying put
- Construction underway at new plaza in Guelph’s north end
- Highway 7 focus of by election
- Waterloo Region housing starts fall in July
- Proposed daycare plans causing a bit of stink
278 Pinebush Road, Cambridge
Last week I toured a client of mine through the available office space at 278 Pinebush Road,
Cambridge and then attended their Broker Open House the following day.
This building was formerly occupied by iQor Canada a call centre that at its peak occupied approximately 600 employees. iQor officially vacated the building in December 2011 leaving this 55,000 sq ft building vacant and ready for new tenants. The landlord undertook to convert the building from a single tenant to multi tenant and created a common lobby with an updated modern design. The landlord has since successfully leased up 11,000 sq ft to e-Sentire a growing local IT security company and is looking to fill the remainder of the building.
The property is well located with easy access and visibility to Highway #401 and provides ample on site parking. Currently the vacancy rate in Cambridge sits at 22.4% which represents approximatley 262,436 sq ft.
There are a number of of large blocks of space within the Cambridge market however this building is a good option for tenants who require some flexibility for expansion and see value in locating themselves along the #401 Corridor which stretches from Townline Road in Cambridge to Homer Watson Boulevard in Kitchener.
Canada’s Technology Triangle – Successfully selling Waterloo Region
I read an article in the Waterloo Chronicle last week announcing a new company that had decided to locate in Waterloo. Great news and a good win for the Region to attract this kind of research and development firm. However, the article has been awhile coming. Gabae Developments came to town and started setting up shop in 2007, when it leased the building at 75 Bathurst Drive in Waterloo. They have just recently leased another larger facility around the corner, at 815 Bridge Street, to house their first spin off operation, as I noted from my Market InSite Photos in July.
This is just one of many successes that quietly and sometimes unfortunately go unrecognized that have been as a result, directly or indirectly, from the hard work of the team at Canada’s Technology Triangle (CTT). Measuring and tracking the ROI of this kind of work is sometimes a challenge; where the results of the activities may only come to fruition years later. Hopefully, our local politicians and other stakeholders, recognize the value and the successes resulting from the efforts of having a consolidated entity externally representing our Region on the economic development front.
About the CTT:
Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc (CTT), established in 1987, is a not-for-profit, public/private economic development partnership (6 municipalities, 21 corporate partners) representing the Waterloo Region. CTT has two primary functions:
- To market the competitive advantages of the Waterloo Region to the world; and
- To connect enterprising business and entrepreneurs to data and information/business networks vital to business competitiveness and growth. CTT operates in four areas:
- Global marketing campaign – to make the Region (Greater Toronto), Province, Country, and World aware of the Waterloo Region as a place of profound opportunity.
- Business development – one-on-one interaction with businesses and people to facilitate the investment process.
- Data generation and management – to inform the investment decision making process.
- Private and public partnership development – to leverage resources and work together to advance economic development in the Region.
