Zehr Group to create 'urban village' near Kitchener transit hub

A regional developer wants to revamp a section of Kitchener near the proposed new transit hub to create a neighbourhood with what it calls an "urban village" vibe.

The Zehr Group is planning condominiums, ground-level storefronts and office space on a six-acre site on the corner of King and Victoria streets.

• New regional transit hub in downtown Kitchener expected to cost $43 million
• More GO trains and buses between Kitchener and GTA at peak hours by fall

"It frames the entrance to the downtown, coming along King Street," said Zac Zehr, the company's manager of development.

Funeral home to be restored

Last week, Zehr Group announced it had acquired property at 641 King St. W. for its future Sixo development.

The group also purchased the former Ratz-Bechtel funeral home, once home to Kaufman Rubber Company founder Jacob Kaufman.

The company received permission from the City of Kitchener in November to remove parts of the building that are not part of the original house, which was build in 1897.

• Ratz-Bechtel funeral home bought by Zehr Group

Zehr Group CEO Don Zehr called the home "an absolute jewel" and said they want to restore the home "to its original glory."

Demolition work is likely to begin this spring, Zac Zehr said in an interview.

Design reveal in March

The Zehr Group plans plans to unveil the design forthe Sixo community in March.

"We want Sixo to be a people friendly place," said Don Zehr in a press release, "athriving community within a community, where people can live, work and play, offering desirable retail and office spaces that benefit both businesses and the residents of Kitchener."

ZacZehrsaid construction on theSixodevelopment would begin in December 2017 or early 2018, oncezoning and site plans were approved.