Tower proposed near Wilfrid Laurier campus
Apartment would replace two homes on Albert Street and Seagram Drive
A new development application on file at the City of Waterloo would see two homes on Albert Street, at the north corner of Seagram Drive, replaced by a 24-storey apartment building.
The proposed development across from the Wilfrid Laurier University campus still must be reviewed by city planners and presented to council for Official Plan and zoning amendments that would permit increased density, as well as reductions in requirements for parking, setbacks and open space.
The design concept on engagewr.ca shows plans for a 19-storey tower atop a five-storey podium with 146 units and 172 bedrooms — a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. There would be 44 vehicle parking spaces (26 underground) and storage for up to 88 bicycles, as well as 492 square metres of indoor and outdoor amenity space, it says.
The location at 177-179 Albert St. is what an MHBC planning consultant refers to as a “transitional area” between the Albert-McGregor Heritage Conservation District to the south, characterized by lowrise buildings, and the Northdale neighbourhood to the north, characterized by mid- to highrise buildings. A shadow study has been completed and is available for review online.
The home currently at 177 Albert St. has been a part of the Waterloo Lutheran community since 1911, at one time providing temporary residence for students and faculty, and has more recently been used as a counselling centre where graduate students from Martin Luther University College and Wilfrid Laurier University train as therapists.
The Seagram Drive frontage would be redeveloped with a raised outdoor patio to connect with internal amenity space. A row of trees is proposed next to the existing sidewalk, with raised planters separating the patio from the street. Plantings are also included along the northern property line.
“The upper floors introduce a new design language that references the modern designs in the Northdale neighbourhood,” the design brief states, with glazing and yellow and purple panels referencing the colour palette of the adjacent university.
The podium would incorporate a mix of red brick and glass, complementing the surrounding character of single-detached dwellings, it says.
A five-metre-high ground floor would feature amenity space and access to parking and loading areas. The podium roof would include an outdoor amenity space accessible via the sixth floor.
The planning application is deemed complete with supporting reports and studies on file and is open for public comment while it’s under review by the city’s planning department.