The Kaufman Lofts

1 - About The Kaufman Lofts

• Address: 404 King St W & 410 King St W, Kitchener
• Neighbourhood: Wheatley, Waterloo (Innovation District)
• Storeys: 6 floors
• Units: 270 units
• Built Year: 2008 (Original structure 1908–1925)
• Builder: Downtown
• Building Type: Mid-Rise Hard Loft Conversion
• Suite Sizes: 515 sqft - 1290 sqft
• Average Price: $509 / sq. ft.

2 - Overview of The Kaufman Lofts

The Kaufman Lofts represents the successful transformation of the historic Kaufman Footwear factory, originally established in 1908. This six-storey industrial building underwent residential conversion between 2005 and 2008, creating a distinctive hard loft community in central Kitchener. The site has manufacturing heritage as the former production facility for Sorel boots.

Renowned architect Albert Kahn designed the original factory structure, incorporating masonry construction with stone trim detailing. The residential conversion carefully preserved the building's industrial character, maintaining original plaster ceilings and key structural elements throughout the development.

Modern loft units showcase the building's industrial heritage through 11 to 13-foot ceilings, polished concrete floors, and exposed brick features. Original woodwork has been thoughtfully integrated into the contemporary living spaces, creating authentic hard loft environments.

3 - Suite Sizes & Value

Floor plans at The Kaufman Lofts span from 515 to 1,290 square feet, featuring open-concept designs that maximize the dramatic ceiling heights and oversized factory windows. The generous proportions and abundant natural light create spacious living environments typical of premium loft conversions.

Current market pricing reflects the building's prime downtown location at an Average Price: $509 / sq. ft. The units successfully blend historical architectural elements like original plaster and concrete with modern functional updates for contemporary urban living.

4 - Building Amenities & Features

Residents enjoy well-designed common spaces including a rooftop terrace equipped with BBQ facilities for outdoor entertaining. An additional roof deck provides panoramic views of the surrounding Innovation District and downtown Kitchener.

The building features a dedicated party room for social gatherings and community events. The modern lobby, positioned at the corner of King Street West and Francis Street North, provides an elegant entry point to the heritage conversion. Secure parking addresses urban transportation needs, while comprehensive HOA fees cover gas, water, and professional property management services.

5 - Location Highlights

The Kaufman Lofts benefits from its strategic position within Kitchener's Innovation District, a rapidly developing technology hub. The location provides convenient access to both LRT and GO Station transit connections, supporting regional commuting patterns.

Major employers in the immediate area include Google's regional offices and The Tannery, a prominent mixed-use development. The neighbourhood also serves the academic community, with proximity to the University of Waterloo Health Sciences Campus and McMaster University School of Medicine. Downtown Kitchener's core amenities and services remain easily walkable from the building.

6 - Lifestyle Near The Kaufman Lofts

The surrounding neighbourhood attracts professionals working in the Innovation District's technology sector and nearby academic institutions. The walkable urban environment provides direct access to the LRT system, facilitating both local and regional transportation.

Residents benefit from proximity to major employers including Google and the mixed-use Tannery complex. The area represents a dynamic blend of historical industrial infrastructure enhanced with modern transit systems and contemporary commercial services, creating a vibrant urban community.

7 - About the Developer

Developer Downtown successfully completed the conversion of the historic Kaufman Rubber Company factory into The Kaufman Lofts residential community. The architectural renovation was executed by Quadrangle Architects, a Toronto-based firm with expertise in heritage building adaptations.

The project demonstrates thoughtful adaptive reuse, transforming the 1908 industrial asset into a modern residential community while preserving its architectural heritage. The development exemplifies successful urban revitalization, repurposing historic manufacturing infrastructure for contemporary residential use in central Kitchener.