WATERLOO — It's not even built yet. But there's a whole new look to a condominium tower proposed in the heart of Waterloo.

The original design was modern contemporary. Brick and glass. Lots of glass. Balconies.

The revised design goes another way completely. Classic stone. Heritage-inspired. A lot less glass. Fewer balconies.

The 11-storey building is proposed at the corner of Princess and Dorset streets in uptown Waterloo, one block off King Street. Two former lodging houses, now vacant, will be demolished to make way for it.

Council bent its planning rules in 2018 to approve the tower as originally designed. The redesigned version is under review but does not need council approval.

Though city planners have yet to say yes, they welcome the vision in a city that's seen some unremarkable towers erected to house students and others.

This project is not meant to be a student building.

"This is based on inspiration, that heritage-type of architectural style, from Europe and into the early New York time frame," said Joel Cotter, Waterloo's planning director.

"This is an attempt to create a landmark building."

The proposed tower overlooks the historic Carnegie library. It is across the street from the historic Huether Hotel. There's a historic firehall nearby.

A creative agency worked with architect Matthew Bolen, of Edge Architects, to shift the building to a classic look.

"We researched the region as a team, spending considerable time digging through historical archives, articles, and black-and-white images," said Melanie Witzell, director of the firm Mad Hatter Technology, which helped shape the design.

"We learned about the mercantile history, and the political importance of this merchant history within the neighbourhood."

As currently designed, the building has echoes of the Huether Hotel along its roofline, as well as Art Deco inspiration.

It attaches to an existing five-storey building on Dorset street. The original design left that building alone, distinct from the contemporary look. The redesign wraps the buildings together, extending the classic look to both.

Some balconies have disappeared because too often they turn into wasted space. People like the idea of them but end up ignoring them, or misusing them for storage.

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The redesign allows for balconies, terraces and smaller 'Juliet-style balconies' meant to let the outside in, without a platform to actually step outside.

"The balconies were all created to align with the traditional and classic design," Witzell said.

Although the look of the tower is changed, it retains its height and mass, stepping back on the upper floors and featuring commercial space at ground level.

Businesses on the ground could range from an art gallery to a bake shop to a museum to an office or retail store, among other uses. A nightclub is not allowed.

The latest version features 45 units with 83 bedrooms, according to a council report. It will be a mix of suites.

A limited partnership is developing the project. Marketing may begin soon.

Some technical issues are outstanding. City hall has yet to provide final approval that would lead to a building permit. But the city sees a lot to like.

"There's a lot of elements that meet our urban design requirements," Cotter said.

jouthit@therecord.com

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