City Centre Condominiums (formerly known as Centre Block)

On April 6, 2009, Kitchener city council underscored its commitment to the Centre Block redevelopment project by receiving the land purchase and sale agreement between the city and Andrin Investments Limited.

The tabling of the agreement is an important milestone, as it goes a long way in supporting the city's goals of achieving residential growth downtown; attracting talent to the core; and re-energizing King Street.

The agreement of purchase and sale identifies, among other things, the sale price of the land and buildings; security terms to ensure performance and protect the interests of the city and the developer and it sets out timing provisions to ensure the development proceeds on a timely basis.

• April 6, 2009 Council Report
• Centre Block Agreement of Purchase and Sale 
• Media Release from April 6, 2009

Andrin Ltd. hopes to open their sales office in 2010.

Project Background 

A multimillion dollar redevelopment proposal by Andrin Limited, the same development company that recently completed downtown's Kaufman Lofts, is expected to breathe new life into the core's prominent Centre Block site. City Council recently approved Andrin as the developer of City Centre Condominiums on the Centre Block site based on their design concepts which will knit together condominium and live-work units; new retail space; a café and gallery; a boutique hotel and spa; and public and private parking.

The Andrin proposal met all of the criteria and objectives set out in the Centre Block Terms of Reference adopted by Council in October 2006. Additionally, Andrin's proposal has wide public support and it fits within the financial framework that the City had anticipated for this project.

Andrin proposes a high-quality, mixed-use development which includes diverse residential development, ground floor retail, and combinations of safe, connected public and private outdoor spaces.

The project sets a new standard for architecture and urban design for a high-density residential development in Waterloo Region. It achieves maximum density on the site and makes a significant contribution to Kitchener's downtown as a vibrant urban place by attracting new residents and contributing to an improved balance between employment and residents in the downtown.

The proposal also addresses the City's requirement for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, supporting Kitchener's Environmental Strategy. It also advances the objectives of the City's Economic Development Strategy by creating a new magnet for talented young people and investment, strengthening the brand of Downtown Kitchener.