Paul Martin building to be converted into luxury hotel
Windsor’s historic Paul Martin Building is getting a facelift.
The City of Windsor announced recently that the 93-year old property is being converted into a luxury boutique hotel with 100 rooms. Developers RJM Holdings will lead the project.
The building was built in 1930 as a federal government office near the border between Canada and the United States. Over the years, it has housed Canada Post, the Canada Revenue Agency, and the Canadian Border Services Agency, in addition to serving as a temporary library. The federal government worked to restore the building’s facade, with the work finishing up in 2017.
The city bought the building from the federal government for $1 in 2019, and the property has been at the centre of collective efforts between the city and its partners to revitalize Windsor’s downtown core.
For the past three years, it has served as the temporary home of the Windsor Public Library Central Branch.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the rich history of the Paul Martin Building, and a major step forward for downtown Windsor,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens. “This exciting venture not only preserves the architectural legacy of the Paul Martin Building but also contributes to the ongoing renaissance of our community.”
Once converted, the new hotel will include 80 to 100 suites. It will also feature 20 to 40 full-service residences, primarily for corporate travellers and companies wishing to obtain a corporate suite, as well as an in-house restaurant, café, several meeting and event spaces, a library/lounge, and retail space.
“This is a great opportunity, and we look forward to developing a product that supports Windsor and its growth,” said Rob Myers, Chairman and CEO, RM Group of Companies. “Over the next couple of years we will develop this property with the thought of honouring the city’s rich history and its citizens.”
The project is expected to employ 150 people and is estimated to take between two and five years to complete, with the first phase scheduled for completion in 2026.