Downtown Neighbourhoods and Districts

Downtown Kitchener

With more people now calling downtown home, the newly formed Downtown Kitchener Neighbourhood Association was created to help neighbours connect with each other, feel a sense of belonging and have a voice on things that are important to us. The DTKNA area is bounded by Victoria, Weber, Benton and Joseph streets.  You can get involved and keep in the loop by connecting on Twitter or Facebook, emailing to dtkneighbours@gmail.com, or by joining the mailing list at dktna.wordpress.com/ 

Olde Berlin Town

Defined by the area between Weber, Victoria, Lancaster and Frederick streets, this neighbourhood is rich with cultural and historical significance. The Olde Berlin Town Neighbourhood Association aims to foster pride in their neighbourhood, maintain a safe community and promote community awareness. Arts, culture and entertainment abound with The Centre in the Square, Art Gallery, Library and historical gaol [aka jail] nearby on Queen Street -the birthplace of Waterloo Region. Many beautiful homes owned by industrialists from the ‘Busy Berlin’ era are still maintained as family residences in this community-minded neighbourhood. Most of the area is designated as the Civic Centre Heritage Conservation District under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Victoria Park

The neighbourhood centering around Victoria Park, so-named for Queen Victoria and is the first park in Kitchener. They are the first Heritage Conservation District designated by the city. It is a popular residential area with large, beautiful, single-family detached homes, more modest homes, multi-unit homes, condominiums and rental units. There are also businesses, shops, bakeries, social support organizations, a health clinic, a senior citizens home, churches, and Joseph Schneider House Museum and Gallery and National Historic Site (built in 1816 – Kitchener’s oldest building). Boundaries are Queen Street South, Joseph, Victoria, Spadina, and West. As well as partnering with DNA, they sponsor a few independent programs at DCC and are committed to making their neighbourhood a better place to live.

 Cedar Hill

The neighbourhood between the boundaries Benton, St. George, Queen, Courtland, Madison, and King Streets is a grass roots community was originally called Sand Hills and it overlooks main street Kitchener. They promote a safe and healthy community through regular inclusive interaction. A number of locations have historical significance in this long-established neighbourhood. In addition to supporting the principles of DNA, this community sponsors programs at the Mill-Courtland Community Centre.

 Auditorium Neighbourhood

Ringed on one side by the Conestoga Parkway and by Weber Street East, Krug and Ottawa Streets. Near the hub of this grand residential community is “The Aud”. The association promotes community pride and social activities, and encourages vigorous citizen participation in all issues affecting the neighbourhood.

King East

This unique neighbourhood is located in and around the Market District with boundaries of King East, Cedar, Weber and Stirling Avenue. This primarily residential area borders the East entrance to Downtown Kitchener with the renowned Kitchener Market as one of its focal points. 

Mt. Hope

This neighbourhood is located on the West side of downtown Kitchener is part of the Mt. Hope Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association. The train station is nearby and the proposed Light Rail Transit seems to be spurring growth as many structural changes are occurring, such as a huge condo development, in this long-established residential downtown community. Their annual Jane’s Walk tour highlights the old Fire Hall #2, Little City Farm, and Mt. Hope cemetery that holds the key to many great stories of early settlers, businessmen and former slaves who are all buried there – a great way to learn the history of Kitchener.