The Region of Waterloo and City of Kitchener are working towards a vision for a mixed-use development on the former Charles Street Terminal site, in the heart of downtown Kitchener. This vision will be informed by environmental and technical findings, financial modeling and community engagement.
Located at 15 Charles Street West, the property occupies a key location in downtown Kitchener. With a footprint of 10,470 square meters (1.047 hectare / 2.59 acres in size), the size and location of the property make the future use of this site an important discussion point for the community.
Based on the strategic direction of the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener, and determined by the community, the site's four guiding priorities include:
- Affordable housing options
- Climate action
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
- A thriving economy
Technical studies to date include completion of a property boundary survey to understand current physical infrastructure on the site, as well as Environmental and geotechnical work to understand the make-up of the soil, and the presence of any contaminants in the ground or groundwater as a result of previous and/or surrounding uses.
Visioning the future use of Charles Street Terminal
Community engagement beginning in 2021, including community-inspired feedback led by Land Back Camp, included aligned support for the project’s guiding priorities, emphasized community needs and ambitions across downtown Kitchener, and provided site-specific features to be reflected in preliminary design concepts.
Engagement phases to date include:
- Phase 1: Project Priorities - Public Engagement
- Phase 2: Identifying Needs - Community Engagement
- Phase 3: Identifying Site-Specific Features - Equity-focused Engagement, Community and Interest Holder Consultation
- Phase 4: Designing the Vision
Phase 4: Designing the Vision
Phase 4 focuses on creating preliminary design concepts for the Charles Street Terminal redevelopment, guided by community input, that reveals the potential for a sustainable, human-scale redevelopment vision around Charles Street and downtown Kitchener. The established preliminary design concepts will guide future decision-making and redevelopment plans in early 2025.
Design Firm
Brook McIlroy (BMc), an award-winning and interdisciplinary design firm, is leading Phase 4 of the Charles Street Terminal Visioning Project. For more information on Brook McIlroy, please visit their website https://brookmcilroy.com/
Leveraging the diverse building fabric surrounding Charles Street and downtown Kitchener, the project will ensure that future buildings and open spaces promote a memorable, people-focused, sustainable, and human scale community environment. The Charles Street Terminal Lands offers an extraordinary contemporary growth opportunity, that will have a positive regenerative effect on the surrounding mixed-use neighbourhood within downtown Kitchener.
Design Process
BMc has thoroughly reviewed existing policies, frameworks and community feedback from earlier engagement phases, ensuring the designs are informed by the extensive efforts from community and City and Regional staff. The developed design concepts will ensure to reflect community input and the local context. In addition, BMc will conduct engagement for Phase 4 of the project, which will continue to inform the visioning for the project.
Incorporating Indigenous Cultural Knowledge and Placekeeping
A key part of this project is the involvement of Brook McIlroy’s Indigenous Design Studio. BMc and its Indigenous Design Studio is committed to embedding Indigenous feedback, honoring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. This work includes:
- Indigenous Space Needs Assessment Review
- Incorporate Indigenous cultural knowledge and community-led engagement work conducted by O:se Kenhionhata:tie LandBack Camp
- Conduct Indigenous-Focused Workshops: These workshops aim to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and practices into the design process. Invitations to workshops will be sent directly to Indigenous interest holders who have expressed interest and consent to be engaged in this work.
Previous Community Engagement and Public Feedback
Throughout 2024, the public provided comments and feedback on the draft design concepts for the Charles Street Terminal redevelopment. The completed public engagement sessions included:
Design Workshop
Downtown Kitchener community members and interest holders were invited to a collaborative design workshop to discuss and contribute to the design aspects of the Charles Street redevelopment project. This was an event to collaborate with others, share ideas, and ensure the redevelopment reflected the needs and priorities of the community. The workshop focused on specific design elements—such as pathways, green spaces, gathering areas, and building massing—through interactive group activities.
These pop-up public input sessions provided information and feedback on the Charles Street redevelopment design options. Residents and community members reviewed design concepts, asked questions, and shared their thoughts with the project team. These sessions gathered feedback from the community to ensure the designs would meet local needs and aspirations.
Online Survey: Feedback on Preliminary Design Concepts for the Charles Street Terminal Site
Phase 4 of the project focused on preliminary design concepts that incorporated important technical considerations, city policies and guidelines, financial analysis and community input. These design concepts showcased the potential for a vibrant and sustainable site that strives to balance the project's financial viability with community’s needs and aspirations. It was important to note that these designs were not final; they served as aspirational ideas to guide redevelopment planning.
