The Urban Design Brief for 144 Park street Waterloo Ontario

1. 144 PARK - TOWER 2
PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST
WATERLOO, ONTARIO Date: November 21, 2011
Project No.:08.104-Tower 2
Urban Design Brief
DRAFT

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction ..................................................1
1.1 Context ....................................................2
1.2 Vision Identity ......................................... 3
2.0 Landscaping .................................................4
3.0 Built Form/Elevations ...................................5
4.0 Parking .........................................................7
5.0 Transit ..........................................................8
6.0 Features .......................................................8
7.0 Lighting.........................................................8
8.0 Site Furnishings ...........................................8
9.0 Service Areas ...............................................9
10.0 CPTED Principles ........................................9
11.0 Sustainability ..............................................10
12.0 Conclusions................................................11

3. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
1.0 Introduction
This design brief has been prepared by Turner
Fleischer Architects Inc. to detail the design approach
for the second tower of the residential development
at 144 Park Street by Mady Developments
Corporation. The Tower 1 development is located Tower 1 Tower 2
Site Site
il
Tra
at the east corner of Park Street and Allen Street
rse
Ho
ron
dI
West in Waterloo Ontario. Tower 2 of the residential
ate
loc
Re
development takes the one acre parcel that is
directly east of the Tower 1 development. Tower 2
is proposed to be 19 storeys, and will front along
Caroline Street South and the relocated Iron Horse
Trail. Expansion of the Tower 1 parking and terrace
will connect the two towers. The site is presently
unoccupied and is being used for parking. The scope
of this Design Brief is to illustrate how the site will be
designed, function and impact on the community of
Waterloo.
Figure 1.0 - Aerial Photo
Figure 1.0.1 - Corner of Park and Allen Figure 1.0.2 - Park Street Looking Towards Allen Figure 1.0.3 - Corner of Caroline and John
Page 1

4. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
1.1 Context End of Existing
Iron Horse Trail
The land parcel for Tower 2 is zoned in three
parts, with two parts being Industrial and one part
l
rai
dT
Commercial. The existing neighbourhood consists of
ate
loc
Re
varied types of residential buildings, including single
ed
os
op
Pr
detached houses, townhouses and condominiums.
Existing Iron Horse Trail
There is a commercial main street running along
King Street South. Being located in the Old
Westmount neighbourhood overlooking Uptown
Waterloo, residents will have access to many
Figure 1.1 - Proposed Trail Relocation Map Figure 1.1.1 - Zoning Map
upscale amenities within close range. Amenities LEGEND
range from retail, restaurants, parks, scenic walking
trails, galleries, entertainment venues, city hall, and
a recreational centre. The Iron Horse Trail runs
through the property and will be relocated.
SUBJECT SITE
Figure 1.1.2 - Neighbourhood Reference Photos Figure 1.1.3 - Aerial Map of Amenities
Page 2

5. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Tower 2
Condominium
Entrance
1.2 Vision Identity
The vision for this site is for design creativity in Townhouse
Tower 2
Entrance
architecture and landscaping to be used to create
Tower 2
a complimentary building to Tower 1. Tower 2 will Townhouse
Entrance
be 19 storeys, containing 190 units with 4 three
storey townhouses at its base. This will add to the
140 units and the 8 townhouses of Tower 1. Both
towers will be connected though its townhouse base,
parking structure and the fourth floor terrace. The
design attempts to fit in with the existing residential
surroundings by using a mix of brick, stone and glass
on the exterior facade. The goal is to help redefine
the urban streetscape of Waterloo. The building
will include tenant amenities including guest suites,
fitness centre, party room, landscaped terrace,
theatre, carwash bay and bicycle storage area. A
section of the Iron Horse Trail will be relocated directly
to the south-east of the building and is a historic link Figure 1.1 - Vision Identity- Site Plan
between Waterloo and Kitchener. Parking, service
Tower 2 Tower 2
and garbage areas will be located away from the Townhouse Townhouse
Entrance Entrance
street front, behind the primary building frontage.
Parking will be located on four floors, with one floor
below grade and three floors above.
Figure 1.2 - Concept Site Plan
Page 3

6. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
2.0 Landscaping
The landscape treatment along the street edge
should compliment the architecture. The plants
selected should provide all season interest. The
outdoor fourth floor terrace will include soft and hard
landscaping. Landscaped areas with trees, planters,
stone and trellises will be provided to make it an
inviting gathering area for tenant social events. The
Iron Horse Trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail, and
an important historic link between downtown Kitchener
and uptown Waterloo. Part of it runs north-south
through the property and will be relocated directly to the Figure 2.0.1 - Landscaping Streetscape Rendering
south-east of the building. As well as relocation, the
trail will be upgraded and both will be at the developers
expense. These upgrades will improve the trail for
cyclists and pedestrians with increased landscaping
along the newly paved section of trail.
Figure 2.0.2 - Landscaping Terrace Rendering
Figure 2.0 - Landscaping Roof Reference Photo Figure 2.0.3 - Iron Horse Trail Reference Photo
Page 4

7. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
3.0 Built Form/Elevations
Tower 2 will have complimentary architecture to Tower 1. The buildings are designed to be visually attractive
and create an upscale urban identity. It will be a mix of a high rise condominium and street level townhouses.
The condominium will be 19 storeys high, which will be 6 fewer than is permitted on site. Surrounding the
base of the tower will be three storey townhouses. The towers will be connected by the fourth floor outdoor
terrace that will be landscaped with both soft and hard landscaping. The base townhouses will be a mix
of brick, precast panel, stone, and ample glazing. Each one will have a third storey balcony. The mix of
these materials with pedestrian scaled architecture will help tie the development into the existing residential
neighbourhoods and help reinforce the urban condition. The condominium will be a mix of glass and precast
panels with each unit having a walk out balcony. The use of the different materials will create a distinct base,
middle and top. EIFS cornice mouldings will help detail the building and add a unifying element between
the condominium tower and the townhouses. Canopies will be provided over all townhouse entrances. The
condo lobby entrance will be along Caroline Street
Figure 3.02 - Tower 1 Rear Reference Rendering
where it intersects with the relocated Iron Horse
Trail. The lobby will feature a glass entrance that will
act as a feature for the street.
Figure 3.0 - Tower 1 Lobby Reference Rendering Figure 3.0.1 - Tower 1 Front Reference Rendering Figure 3.0.3 - Tower 1 Street Reference Rendering
Page 5

8. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Figure 3.0.4 - Allen Street View Figure 3.0.5 - Caroline Street View
Figure 3.0.6 - Iron Horse Trail View Figure 3.0.7 - Park Street View
Page 6

9. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Tower 2 grade Tower 2 grade
level parking level parking
4.0 Parking entrance entrance
Parking for Tower 2 will work in conjunction with
the Tower 1 parking and will be screened behind the
building frontage. There will be four levels of parking
with three levels above grade and one below.
There will be an access between the two towers
Tower 1 entrance
on all levels except for grade level. There are three to parking ramp.
Access to Tower 2
entrances to the parking. The Grade level parking levels above and
below grade.
has two entrances from Caroline Street. The below
grade and two levels above are accessed from Allen
Street. Those levels must be reached by using the Figure 4.0 - Below Grade Parking - Underground Level Figure 4.0.1 - Grade Level Parking - Level 1
ramps in the Tower 1 section of the parking levels.
A total of 311 parking spaces are to be added within
the four floors of the Tower 2 parking section. They
will be added to the 159 parking spaces provided
in the Tower 1 section. The total parking spaces
provided will exceed the minimum requirement by
128 parking spaces. 194 lockers and 117 bicycle
parking spaces will be provided within the parking
structure, meeting the required number. A Traffic
Impact Study analyzed impact the increase in Traffic
on Park Street and surrounding road network and
concluded the effect would be of minimal impact.
Figure 4.0.2 - Above Grade Parking - Level 2 Figure 4.0.3 - Above Grade Parking - Level 3
Page 7

10. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
5.0 Transit 6.0 Features
The development is close to existing Grand River The development will provide many tenant
transit lines, with existing bus routes running along amenities. Guest suites , a concierge, a fitness room,
King street. The site is in close proximity to a planned theatre room and party room will be provided. The Figure 7.0 Nighttime Terrace Rendering
stop for the future light rail rapid transit, which will Party room will be equipped with a caterers kitchen
be a $300 million investment by the Government of and bar. There will be direct access to the fourth floor 8.0 Site Furnishings
Ontario. The new transit will better connect the cities terrace from the party room. The landscaped terrace
will feature gas barbecues. The indoor parking will The thoughtful design and placement of site furniture
of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. It will provide
be heated. Storage areas for bicycles will also be will contribute to the character and visual continuity
a better link to the existing Grand River Transit and
provided. of the development. Site Furniture will be placed on
Go Transit.
the fourth floor terrace. Trash receptacles, benches,
tables, shade umbrellas and barbecues will be
co-ordinated and consistent in terms of design,
colour and materials.
Figure 6.0 Landscaped Terrace Rendering
7.0 Lighting
Lighting will be used throughout the development
to enhance visibility, safety and to reinforce the
architectural and landscape design. Decorative
lighting will be used on the fourth floor terrace to
provide ambient night time lighting.
Figure 5.0 - Future Light Rail Transit Map Figure 8.0 Terrace Furniture Rendering
Page 8

11. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
9.0 Service Areas 10.0 CPTED Principles
Service and delivery areas will not be visually The residential development should integrate CPTED
obtrusive to the public. Consideration will be given principles (Crime Prevention Through Environmental
to sight lines from public streets and neighbouring Planning) to ensure safety and security. These principles
buildings. The visual impact of these areas will be range from access control through surveillance and
minimized and screened behind the primary building territorial controls. Any CPTED opportunities should be
frontage. monitored and promoted by the condo management.
1. Access Control: Signs should clearly mark public
entrances, spaces. Zones not open to the public
should be secure, such as garbage areas which
should have a gate and not be accessible to the
general public. Sidewalks and public areas should
be clearly marked by way of special paving or
landscaping with a change in texture.
2. Natural Surveillance:The parking areas should be well
Tower 2 Loading lit. Areas not visible should incorporate an electronic
and access to
garbage type of surveillance system. Loading areas should
not create dead-end alleys or blind spots. Plant
materials should be sited so that visual penetration
into areas is provided. Plant materials should not be
grouped to allow a person to hide under the material.
3. Territorial Reinforcement: Property perimeters and
borders should be defined by a strong landscape
edge including fencing where possible. Signage
should be large enough to be visible from the
street.
Figure 8.0 - Plan Service Areas
Page 9

12. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
11.0 Sustainability
Providing a sustainable environment will be an important aspect of the proposed development. Alternative
modes of transportation will be supported through close proximity to transit stops, and provision of bicycle
storage areas. Apartment units will be designed to minimize energy and water use by using Energy Star
dishwashers and fridges and through the use of low flow toilets and showers. The central heat HVAC systems
will have high efficiency boilers which will reduce gas consumption and the lighting design will incorporate
energy efficient fixtures. Low VOC paints will be used to protect the air quality and lessen the impact on the
Figure 11.0.1 - Energy Star + Recycling Logos
environment. Recycling facilities will be created that permit the separating and disposing of recyclables. The
4th floor terrace will be landscaped and will use eco friendly furniture.
Figure 11.0.2 - Energy Star + Recycling Logos
Figure 11.0 - Transit Stop Reference Photo Figure 11.0.3 - Green Terrace Reference Photo
Page 10

13. 144 PARK - TOWER 2, PARK STREET AND ALLEN STREET WEST, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
12.0 Conclusions
144 Park - Tower 2 will attract young professionals and empty nesters to one of Waterloo’s best known neighbourhoods by being pedestrian friendly in nature and
in close proximity to numerous amenities within the neighbourhood. Careful attention to detail has been incorporated in order to fit within the existing neighbourhood.
All parking and services are appropriately screened from the public view. The building will provide many desirable features to the tenants and shall incorporate
many green initiatives that will be beneficial to the community. The development will help the community by enhancing the urban environment, help the economy
by creating new housing whose tenants will make use of neighbourhood amenities, and it will help the environment through its green initiatives that will benefit both
tenants and the community as a whole.
Page 11