RFB Development

Nominee for Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse – Small Scale

What is particularly notable about RFB’s adaptive reuse of 27 Roy Street?

•        Rather than viewing heritage requirements as obstacles, RFB approached them with a collaborative process. RFB’s previous experience with restoration projects allowed them to work closely with City staff to find solutions that respected the building’s heritage character while accommodating its new use.

•        Rather than treating 27 Roy Street as an isolated property to be prettied up and resold, RFB focused on its potential as a community-building resource. “We believe this is a responsibility developers have to understand the places they invest in and find ways to build upon the existing character rather than simply maximizing development potential,” Brohman said

•        RFB was committed to understanding the neighbourhood before proposing a solution for the adaptive reuse of 27 Roy Street.  Rather than waiting for public opposition during the planning process, RFB proactively engaged with the neighbourhood association immediately after acquiring the property. “We wanted to understand what residents felt was missing and how redevelopment could contribute positively to the community,” Brohman said.

•        RFB’s creation of a widely used and loved community “third place”, developed collaboratively with neighbours and with city heritage and planning staff, provided a positive example and precursor for Zoning and Official Plan changes encouraging mixed use neighbourhoods in other parts of the City of Kitchener.