flar
Active Member
You can't show Kitchener without showing Waterloo. Uptown Waterloo is just up the road from Downtown Kitchener:
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- Thread starter flar
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Hipster Duck
Senior Member
I went to school there from 1999 to 2004, so this brings back memories.
Did you get a chance to go to Waterloo park and see S+P's Perimeter institute shimmering in its reflecting pool? It is one of Canada's architectural highlights of the last ten years.
The redevelopment of Waterloo Town Square - one of the ugliest blights in Canada - into something vaguely new urbanist and pleasant has been slow but steady.
Did you get a chance to go to Waterloo park and see S+P's Perimeter institute shimmering in its reflecting pool? It is one of Canada's architectural highlights of the last ten years.
The redevelopment of Waterloo Town Square - one of the ugliest blights in Canada - into something vaguely new urbanist and pleasant has been slow but steady.
Tewder
Senior Member
The place looks pretty prosperous and well-maintained for a small Ontario town.
flar
Active Member
^^not really a small town
@Hipster Duck: The Perimeter Institute is notably absent. I couldn't get up close to it for a good pic that day because of some sort of running race blocking the roads and lack of time. Strangely enough, some people I was talking to on the street thought it looked unfinished and described it as a tarpaper shack with tiny windows. But then again this same person thought the Huether Hotel was a rundown eyesore. You can't please some people.
@Hipster Duck: The Perimeter Institute is notably absent. I couldn't get up close to it for a good pic that day because of some sort of running race blocking the roads and lack of time. Strangely enough, some people I was talking to on the street thought it looked unfinished and described it as a tarpaper shack with tiny windows. But then again this same person thought the Huether Hotel was a rundown eyesore. You can't please some people.
ShonTron
Moderator
I find the interior of the Waterloo Town Square to be a bit lifestyle-centrish, but it works okay mostly because it is in an established urban centre, and not an attempt to transplant into a parking lot in the 'burbs.
As for Waterloo Town Square - a K-Mart to anchor your downtown? What were they smoking at the time?
marcus_a_j
Senior Member
I miss Waterloo as well...Bomber, Morty's, Paddy's (now Fox and the Fiddle), Phils (not really). Uptown has always been really nice and better than Downtown Kitchener IMO. I like they have done with WTS even though it has taken a while. The Parkade needs to go, but as far as parking garages go, it's not too bad to look at. The Perimeter Institute is definitely a very worthy addition, and the empty lands at northwest corner of Erb and Father David Bauer will finally be developed (mix of commercial, residential and hotel if I remember correctly). It's too bad that the new research and technology park on the UW north campus could not be developed the same. I was surprised to see how many buildings had been built there since I moved back to Toronto 2 years ago, but not happy by how far apart they all were and no plans as far as I know about introducing some other uses in between.
JasonParis
Moderator
Pardon my ignorance, but is "Uptown Waterloo" Waterloo's downtown?
SP!RE
°°°°°°
Yes, Waterloo's core is called Uptown Waterloo. It is near Downtown Kitchener, in fact just UPhill from it.
Because K-W is often seen as one city, it creates nice differentiation between Kitchener's core and Waterloo's core, allowing us to recognize them as K-W's downtown, and its Uptown, cores.
Because K-W is often seen as one city, it creates nice differentiation between Kitchener's core and Waterloo's core, allowing us to recognize them as K-W's downtown, and its Uptown, cores.
JasonParis
Moderator
Got it! I've been to both, just never heard the "Uptown" term before and wanted to make sure.
Hipster Duck
Senior Member
To add:
Downtown Waterloo might seem kind of small, but just up the road there is another hive of activity at the corner of King St. and University Ave. that looks like something out of LA or south Scarborough that has been the centre of acitivity for Laurier students. It probably is the busiest pedestrian intersection in Waterloo region, even though it was clearly built around the car.
Downtown Waterloo might seem kind of small, but just up the road there is another hive of activity at the corner of King St. and University Ave. that looks like something out of LA or south Scarborough that has been the centre of acitivity for Laurier students. It probably is the busiest pedestrian intersection in Waterloo region, even though it was clearly built around the car.
jeicow
Active Member
I gotta admit, I always under estimated the K-W core. It's a real beaut once you get the chance to look around. The fact that the two cities are working together now really enhances the life in the region. I'm moving to 'loo in September and I'm actually looking forward to living in a smaller city.
From the looks of it, I think the new Quantum Computing and Nanotechnology building down @ UW will probably be an architectural gem, but it lacks the...location that Perimeter Insititute has in Waterloo Park.
From the looks of it, I think the new Quantum Computing and Nanotechnology building down @ UW will probably be an architectural gem, but it lacks the...location that Perimeter Insititute has in Waterloo Park.
Waterloo_Guy
Active Member
These pics are great.
The new Balsillie School will also be something to look at if Perimiter is any indication. Also, CIGI makes great of a heritage building.
Uptown isn't huge, but it is the centre of a half million metro that is at the leading edge of technology, education, and other things. This gives it a life and quality of experience that you won't find in most places.
The new Balsillie School will also be something to look at if Perimiter is any indication. Also, CIGI makes great of a heritage building.
Uptown isn't huge, but it is the centre of a half million metro that is at the leading edge of technology, education, and other things. This gives it a life and quality of experience that you won't find in most places.
ShonTron
Moderator
The Balsillie School of how not to make friends and not influence people like Gary Buttman?
Bogtrotter
Senior Member
Upon visiting I was quite surprised how nice Waterloo was. It has a few nice old buildings such as the Luether hotel, but don't go there for the Lion's micro beer, it is has no balls- very bland stuff.
SP!RE
°°°°°°
^^ *Huether Hotel 