Dual 34-storey towers have been proposed east of Laurier–Waterloo Park ION LRT station in Waterloo, marking the tallest development proposal along Seagram Drive in the University Park neighbourhood in this Greater Golden Horseshoe city west of Toronto. Designed by Masri O Architects for Modern Real Estate Development, the towers would rise within a Protected Major Transit Station Area, reflecting intensification pressures near the Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo campuses.
Looking southeast to 87-95 Seagram Drive, designed by Masri O Architects for Modern Real Estate Development
The site comprises five properties municipally addressed to 87, 89, 91, 93, and 95 Seagram Drive, forming a rectangular land assembly on the south side, west of Albert Street. The lands cover about 3,444m² before road widening dedications. Existing conditions consist of five low-rise residential buildings, including single detached dwellings and a small multi-unit building; these structures would be removed to accommodate redevelopment. The surrounding area comprises a mix of residential, institutional, and recreational uses, with Wilfrid Laurier University lands and student housing opposite the site, University of Waterloo lands to the northwest, and Waterloo Park and Laurier’s University Stadium extending west and south.
Looking southeast to the current site, image retrieved from Google Maps
The developer has submitted Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the City of Waterloo. The proposal envisions a high-rise building mass composed of two 34-storey (120m) towers rising from a shared seven-storey podium. The two towers are planned with floor-plates of roughly 617m² and would be separated by 21m, slightly below current zoning standards.
Looking southwest to the podium, designed by Masri O Architects for Modern Real Estate Development
The development would deliver 522 purpose-built rental apartments comprising 220 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom, 210 three-bedroom, and 20 four-bedroom units, totalling 1,074 bedrooms. Non-residential space would include five retail units totalling 526m² at grade along Seagram Drive and approximately 800m² of office space occupying the top two levels of the eastern tower. Vertical circulation would be provided by six elevators in total, with three serving each tower, resulting in a ratio of one elevator per 87 residential units.
Site plan, designed by Masri O Architects for Modern Real Estate Development
Resident amenities would total approximately 2,704m². Indoor amenity spaces would be located on the ground floor, mezzanine, and the eighth storey at the base of the towers, while outdoor amenities would span roughly 1,041m² on the podium roof, complemented by about 917m² of private balconies.
A high-angle view looking southwest to 87-95 Seagram Drive, designed by Masri O Architects for Modern Real Estate Development
Vehicular parking is proposed at 76 spaces, with 55 spaces located within a single underground parking level and the remaining 21 spaces provided at grade. Bicycle parking entails 540 long-term spaces accommodated within the underground level and mezzanine, along with 20 short-term spaces located at grade.
Ground floor plan, designed by Masri O Architects for Modern Real Estate Development
The site is located approximately 350m, or about a four-minute walk, east of the Laurier–Waterloo Park ION LRT station. The station provides frequent light rail service along the King Street corridor, with connections to iXpress and local bus routes operated by Grand River Transit. Additional bus service runs along nearby University Avenue and King Street. Seagram Drive also features cycling lanes.
An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Waterloo
Development activity in the surrounding area reflects accelerating intensification tied to transit access and the nearby university campuses. West of the site, a 12-storey undergraduate residence for the University of Waterloo is under construction, while to the north, proposals at 251 Albert Street and 249–253 Sunview Street would rise to 7 and 13 storeys respectively. East of the site, plans at 177–179 Albert Street call for a 24-storey mixed-use building, and to the northeast, construction is underway at 20 University Avenue East on a 25-storey tower.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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