Downtown Windsor is getting a new hotel.

The historic Paul Martin Building at 185 Ouellette Avenue is being transformed into Hotel Academic, an 85-room boutique hotel. The project is now targeting a late spring to early summer 2027 opening.

Quick Facts

• What: Hotel Academic, an 85-room boutique hotel
• Where: the Paul Martin Building, 185 Ouellette Avenue, downtown Windsor, Ontario
• Target opening: late spring to early summer 2027
• Jobs: an expected 100 to 150 downtown

What We Know So Far

Here’s what’s planned for Hotel Academic:

• Uniquely themed rooms, plus extended-stay suites with full kitchens
• A café and event space
• The building’s original terrazzo, marble and hardwood being preserved
• An expected 100 to 150 jobs downtown

There’s still work to do before the doors open, but the project is moving forward with a target opening in 2027.

Why This Matters for Downtown

This is the part I find most interesting as a commercial realtor in Windsor-Essex.

Hotels change how a downtown works. Midweek business travellers, weekend visitors and event guests all need places to eat, shop and spend time. That extra foot traffic supports the restaurants, shops and service businesses around the hotel, which makes the whole area more attractive to new tenants.

It’s also a great example of reusing a historic building. Keeping the original terrazzo, marble and hardwood preserves part of Windsor’s history while giving a landmark building a new purpose.

What This Says About Windsor

Downtown Windsor has had its challenges, but projects like this show real investment and momentum in the core. Every major building that comes back to life makes it easier for the next project to get off the ground.

What Happens Next

Work continues toward a late spring to early summer 2027 opening. We’ll share updates as the project progresses.

Final Thoughts

Share this with someone who wants to see more positive momentum downtown. A new hotel in a historic building is a good reason to be optimistic about the core.

Thinking about buying, selling or leasing commercial space in Windsor-Essex? Reach out to the Lalovich Real Estate team. We’d be happy to help.

Details based on reporting from AM800 (Rusty Thomson).