Strata

The most prominent intersection in Waterloo is getting the makeover of the century. The former post office building at the corner of King Street and Bridgeport Road is on its way out, to make room for a stunning new ‘gateway’ to Uptown. Two residential towers sit atop a podium of retail, restaurants, offices, all enveloped by an undulating glass ‘veil’. A savvy street-level space will house an exciting community initiative to promote STEAM for local kids called Launch. This new local landmark at 70 King is called Strata.

The multi-use project has two residential towers (one about 40 metres tall and the other double that) on a central podium. The prominent podium entrance for Launch leads to a grand, bright, high lobby. The lobby stairs are flanked by several levels of casual seating that will host public addresses and events. The parking in the podium is cleverly masked behind a restaurant, retail, and office space which will provide street level interest and activity.

The features of this podium are artfully articulated by a glass ‘veil’ - a curtainwall with a fluid, wave-like aesthetic. The veil ‘lifts up’ at certain points to reveal street level activities and amenities and folds fall away and undulate to emphasize corners and conceal the parking structure. Atop the five-storey podium sits an impressive collection of amenities for the residents of the towers, including a pool, yoga studios, coworking spaces, and a lounge. The towers are connected by a two-storey bridge providing even more amenity space like co-location work space and party rooms.