Downtown Windsor could be getting a major new addition to its skyline.

A 17-storey hotel and residential condominium building has been proposed near the southeast corner of Wyandotte Street East and Ouellette Avenue, directly beside the existing Shoppers Drug Mart and adjacent to Dufferin Place. The proposal would add a high-rise hotel and residential component on top of an existing two-storey commercial building.

If approved, this would be one of the taller mixed-use developments proposed for the downtown core in recent years.

What Is Being Proposed

According to information shared publicly, the applicant is seeking approval to construct a 17-storey hotel and residential condominium addition in downtown Windsor. While the developer has not yet been publicly named, the project has been described by Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino as another step in the right direction for revitalizing the downtown.

The development is still in the early stages, but the scale alone signals continued interest from private investors willing to take on complex, high-density projects in Windsor’s urban core.

Why This Matters for Downtown Windsor

Downtown Windsor has long faced challenges tied to population density, foot traffic, and the balance between commercial and residential uses. One consistent theme from planners, councillors, and market participants has been the need to get more people living downtown.

Adding residential units alongside hotel rooms does exactly that.

More residents support:

• Local restaurants and retailers
• Downtown services and amenities
• Transit usage and walkability
• A safer and more active street presence

Councillor Agostino has been clear that there is no single solution or quick fix for downtown revitalization. Instead, it is a series of incremental projects like this that collectively move the core forward.

Public Meeting Details

A public meeting has been scheduled to allow residents, business owners, and stakeholders to learn more and ask questions.

Date: November 6

Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Location: 600 Ouellette Avenue

Virtual Option: Zoom attendance will also be available

Representatives for the applicant will be present, with City of Windsor staff attending as observers. Following the meeting, the application is expected to move on to the Development and Heritage Standing Committee and then City Council.

The Bigger Picture

This proposal comes amid a broader push toward increased density, mixed-use development, and long-term investment in downtown Windsor. While not every project moves forward, the fact that developers are prepared to propose 17-storey buildings speaks to changing perceptions of the downtown market.

More housing downtown means more people supporting hospitality, retail, and office uses. That matters not just for the core, but for Windsor as a whole.

Final Thoughts

Whether this specific project ultimately gets built or not, it is another signal that downtown Windsor remains very much in play. Projects of this scale take time, patience, and community input, but they also reflect confidence in the city’s long-term growth.

If you live, work, or invest in downtown Windsor, this is a proposal worth paying attention to.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who cares about the future of downtown Windsor. Community conversations start with awareness.