Upcoming Loft and Condo Developments in Downtown Kitchener

By Warren McNeil,

We have been contacted recently by a few people who are thinking about moving into the Kitchener Downtown Core because of a couple of upcoming developments. These new developments are the “City Centre Condominiums” which is being developed by Andrin Homes award winning builder of the Kaufman Lofts and the Arrow Lofts which are being built by Auburn Developments. These new upcoming developments in downtown Kitchener are going to be happening in the next couple of years. Here is a quick breakdown.

The Centre Block Development by Andrin Homes is a multimillion dollar redevelopment of the centre block. This new development is expected to breathe new life into the downtown area. Andrin homes proposes a mixture of residential development, ground floor retail and connected private and public outdoor spaces.

For more information about this new development, please see the FAQ for the Centre Block proposal 

The Arrow Lofts are a factory conversion of the old Arrow Shirt factory. Here is a breakdown of what the lofts will be like:

• converted factory with 134 units
• 16 storey building with 184 units
• 900-1300 sq.ft
• 12 foot ceilings
• top floor units are proposed to be 2 bedroom units with a nice view of downtown Kitchener and Victoria Park

Here is a quote from Auburn Developments about the new Arrow lofts that are going to be built:

“Combining Kitchener’s rich heritage with modern, spacious design, Arrow Lofts will see the conversion of the former Arrow shirt factory into a beautiful residential space.  Located on Benton Street, this exciting two-phased development will include 134 units in the converted factory, and 184 units in the new 16-storey building just to the west.  Ample parking and nearby amenities will make Arrow Lofts the perfect base to take advantage of Kitchener’s vibrant city life.”

In addition the afformentioned developments, there is also the Tannery District which I mentioned the other day in a blog post…

“The Tannery District“. The redevelopment of this property was a result of the city’s 30 million investment in the new U of W’s School of Pharmacy which is located nearby. The Tannery District will be filled with restaurants, retail and office space catering to emerging technology. The Tannery’s central courtyard will be a venue for special events and festivals.

These new developments are really going to help transform the downtown core. In five years, downtown Kitchener is going to look alot different. If you don’t want to wait for these condominiums to be built, there are plenty of resale lofts and condos available.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca

April Home Sales Continue to Set Records

KITCHENER-WATERLOO – The sale of residential homes set a new record for April, surpassing the previous level set in 2007. Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener‐Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB) recorded 724 transactions, edging above the previous record set in 2007 of 711.

The 724 homes sold in April represent an increase of 12.6 percent relative to April 2009 results. In March there were 738 sales.

“April was a continuation of the spring surge which began a little earlier than usual this year with a record breaking March, “said, Ted Scharf, President of the Kitchener‐Waterloo Real Estate Board. “Buyers and sellers had an added sense of urgency this spring with the impending HST implementation and threat of rising interest rates.”

April’s sales included 482 detached homes (up 15.6 percent from 2009), 128 condominium units (up 18.5 percent from 2009), 46 semis (down 13.2 percent from 2009) and 62 townhouses (down 3.1 percent from 2009).

More homes selling in the higher price ranges was a notable trend last month notes Scharf. In April 2009 it was the lower priced residential homes driving the market out of the recession, now however; we are seeing a significant increase in the number of homes being sold above the $250,000 mark. 58% of the homes sold last month went for more than $250,000, compared to 43% in April 2009.

Stronger sales in the upper end of the residential market resulted in a 12.9 percent increase in the average residential price in April to $289,017, as compared with one year ago. Detached homes saw an average sale price of $331,366 a 14.3 percent increase relative to April 2009.

During the first four months of the year, there has been a 38.2 percent increase in the number of residential sales, with 2,437 residential sales compared to 1,763 in the same period one year ago.

REALTORS® believe that healthy communities depend on a strong economy, safe neighbourhoods, a clean environment, access to housing and the protection of rights of property owners. The KWREB recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo region.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca

Hi All,

I am using the Blackberry WordPress app and found it really useful for sending out quick blog posts for open houses. I also have my WordPress blog tied into Ping.fm which updates many other social sites such as Facebook, Twitter and any other site you can imagine. You just have to make sure that you accounts at all of them and Ping.fm knows about them.

Another convenient thing about this app is it is easy to update categories and tags on your posts. I syndicate my Activerain blog to my WordPress blog but for some reason the categories are always set to Unrecognized. The app makes it convenient to fix categories and tags.

Thanks!

Warren

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca

We are doing an open house today at 169 Joseph St in Kitchener.

For more information about this listing, see www.clickthathouse.com

Thanks for reading!
Warren and Melanie

Stop the HST Sales Tax

I received this email last night and I felt compelled to spread the word. Looks like they are trying to impede the implementation of this new tax. Other then Dalton and his group, I wonder if there is anyone who approves of the HST. I understand there is a similar campaign going on in British Columbia.

Here is the email below that I received from her last night. It was nabbed as spam so I thought posting it on my blog might get more people to read it.

We Have One Chance Left To Stop Dalton McGuinty’s Sales Tax Increase!

On July 1st Dalton McGuinty will be be increasing the cost of everyday household items for you and your family :

• The cost of gym membership INCREASES by 8%
• The cost of hair cuts INCREASES by 8%
• The price of vitamins INCREASES by 8%
• Your mutual fund fees INCREASE by 8%
• The cost of dry cleaning INCREASES by 8%
• The price of taxi fares INCREASES by 8%

Time is running out to voice your objection to this unprecedented tax grab.  We need you to join us at our STOP THE HST RALLY on:

Wednesday, May 19th

Front Lawn, Ontario Legislature

11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Later that day, Tim Hudak and the PC Caucus will push to stop the HST until Ontarians can have their say in an election. 

You too can have your say by coming to Queen’s Park on May 19th to show your support for this initiative and to fight the $3 Billion HST tax grab.

I do hope to see you there!

Lisa MacLeod, MPP, Nepean-Carleton

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca