WINDSOR, ONT. — The City of Windsor has announced the block-long Paul Martin Building on Ouellette Avenue will be redeveloped into a boutique hotel by RJM Holdings.
The 93-year-old building was acquired by the City of Windsor from the federal government in 2019. For the past three years, the property has served as the temporary home of the Windsor Public Library Central Branch, with the long-term goal of relocating that service to a permanent space within the next five years and repurposing the Martin building within a downtown revitalization strategy, stated a recent release.
The Paul Martin Building, named after the former federal cabinet minister, father of ex-prime minister Paul Martin, Jr., was designed by George Masson and Windsor-born architect Hugh P. Sheppard and completed in 1930. Over the years, it has housed Canada Post, the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canadian Border Services Agency. The federal government worked to restore the building’s facade, with the work finishing up in 2017.
As part of RJM’s plans, the building will be transformed into a configuration of 80 to 100 individually styled suites. The site will also include 20 to 40 full-service residences, primarily for corporate travellers. The property will feature an in-house restaurant, cafe, meeting and event spaces, a library/lounge, and retail space.
The project is supported by the City of Windsor’s 2017 Community Improvement Program and aligns with the Windsor Works plan for economic development which includes the revitalization of the downtown core, stated the release.
“We are invested in southwestern Ontario and have a strong passion for uniqueness, excellent service and the arts,” stated Rob Myers, CEO of the RM Group of Companies. “We will cater to corporate travellers, tourists and locals. There will be elements of the Retro Suites Hotel brand within the space, preserving the building’s historical elements while adding in modern art and design.
“Over the next couple of years we will develop this property with the thought of honouring the city’s rich history and its citizens.”
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