Zehr Group buys Kitchener’s Ratz-Bechtel
Posted Jan 4, 2016 09:45:04 AM.
Last Updated Jan 4, 2016 02:01:24 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A group led by the Zehr Group has purchased the historic Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home property in downtown Kitchener.
Zehr Group says it will add almost two acres to the existing three it owns at 607 King Street West.
It adds the entire site could accommodate over 875,000 square feet of development opportunity.
“We’re very excited about the potential for this entire site and it will certainly attract broad interest,” said Don Zehr, CEO of Zehr Group. “It will play a key role in the ongoing transformation of Kitchener’s downtown core, right next to the light transit rail line, the region’s new multi-modal hub and other major tech companies in the area.”
Zehr adds more information on what will become of the site will be made clear in the next 2-3 weeks.
“We’ll have our team in place…we’ll be able to show the general public what our vision is and start working very closely with the City of Kitchener…going forward to develop the right product that everyone is happy with.”
He says it will be a combination of everything, including residential, retail and commercial office space.
“We hope to have a lot of public area for gathering and really to make it a landmark site and destination for our area.”
The group says it will be working closely with the city as it starts formulating plans for the site. Some of the building’s 19th-century character will be preserved as it is listed on the city’s heritage registry.
Ratz-Bechtel officially closed its doors last week.
