the GTR Shops: Stratford's 2032 Bicentennial Project
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A stratford-First Vision for the GTR Shops
The Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to breathe new life into one of Stratford’s most historic but long-underused properties. Anchored by the vast former locomotive repair shop superstructure just south of downtown, this site is being reimagined as a vibrant heart of community life, designed for Stratford residents first, with space for housing, community services, recreation, culture, innovation, and local businesses that reflect what our city truly needs. Guided by a community-informed master plan, the vision of the project will preserve and celebrate the site’s rich heritage while offering dynamic new places to live, learn, work, and gather right here at home.
With phased development and strong collaboration between the City and community stakeholders, the GTR redevelopment promises to transform an iconic Stratford property into a thriving, people-centred landmark that honours our past and shapes our future.
Why this Redevelopment matters
By reimagining the GTR site as a community-first hub, this project transforms a long-standing challenge into a shared civic asset. Reusing the historic building preserves Stratford’s industrial heritage while reducing environmental impact and avoiding the higher costs of demolition and full site remediation. The result is a centrally located, transit-connected place for essential public services, built in phases, grounded in past public investment, and designed to strengthen everyday life in Stratford for the long term.
Image credit: visitstratford.ca
Community Impact
Image credit: stratford.ca
The Grand Trunk Railway redevelopment represents a meaningful investment in Stratford’s social, cultural, and civic life. By transforming a long-underused historic site into a community-first hub, the project brings essential public services, shared spaces, and everyday amenities together in one accessible location. Reusing the existing building preserves an important piece of Stratford’s heritage while reducing environmental impact and financial risk.
Through a phased, flexible approach and collaboration with community partners, the redevelopment builds on past public investment to deliver coordinated, cost-effective solutions that strengthen neighbourhoods, support residents of all ages, and ensure the site continues to serve the city well into the future.
GTR Shops
At a glance
Built in 1907
One of the largest locomotive repair facilities in Canada at the time
70' Bay
Accommodating the largest steam locomotives
200 TON CRANE
The site housed one of the largest industrial cranes of its era
$12.6Mil Rehab Est.
Estimated cost to rehabilitate the building
$46Mil Potential value
Estimated value post-repairs
About
Robert Ritz
Architect & Community Advocate
Robert Ritz has been actively involved in the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) site for many years, bringing both professional architectural expertise and a deep personal commitment to its future as a lifelong citizen of the community. His involvement has included exploring multiple redevelopment scenarios for the historic GTR building, beginning with a proposal to repurpose the structure as a resort and spa—work that provided first-hand insight into the site’s scale, remediation requirements, financing complexities, and broader redevelopment challenges.
He also examined alternative uses for the building, including manufacturing, residential, and event-based programs, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the constraints and opportunities unique to the GTR site. Beyond design and feasibility studies, he has played a sustained role in the public planning process: applying to chair and serve on the GTR Ad Hoc Committee, attending all Ad Hoc meetings, delivering three formal delegations, speaking at the City Hall open house alongside the mayors of Kitchener and Guelph, and submitting written recommendations to Council following his final presentation to the Committee.
This long-term, hands-on involvement reflects a clear commitment to the thoughtful, community-focused redevelopment of the Grand Trunk Railway lands–ensuring the site’s transformation serves the city first, while respecting its history and planning realities.
1986
The Year R. Ritz Architecture Inc. was Founded
40+
Years as a Registered Architect
Robert Ritz
Principal Architect, R. Ritz Architect Inc.
10+
Years of direct involvement with the Grand Trunk Railway site
100%
Attendance at GTR Ad Hoc Committee meetings