St. John’s Kitchen site recommended for heritage designation

97 Victoria Street North, known by most as the location of St. John’s Kitchen, is one step closer to a heritage designation.

After Heritage Planner Deeksha Choudhry gave a presentation to Kitchener’s heritage committee, they voted to approved a motion recommended by staff. Choudhry explained why the designation was recommended in her presentation.

“This building has been recognized for its design, historical and contextual value,” said Choudhry. “The historical value is related to the original owner, and the present owner as well. The building was built by William E. Mitchell of the Mitchell Button Company circa 1957 and operated in Kitchener for nearly 55 years.”

The building is located in the Warehouse District Cultural Heritage Landscape. Choudhry also noted the significance of the site’s location in the area.

“This property is directly related to the theme of the city’s industrial expansion that occurred throughout the early 20th century. Ever since it’s construction, this building has always been used for commercial purposes. Presently, this building is being used by The Working Centre.”

The committee also heard proposals from Choudhry regarding The Working Centre’s Making Home project. They are looking to make big changes to the site while maintaining its heritage, such as updated windows, a new third storey, and a one-storey addition on the southwest corner that would require demolishing a nearby structure.

This would relocate St. John’s Kitchen into the addition, creating 44 new affordable homes in the original building. The heritage permit for those proposals was also voted on and carried by the heritage committee.