Windsor city council has given the green light to a new 46-unit student housing project on Riverside Drive, and the decision is stirring up plenty of discussion about how we grow as a city.

The property at the corner of Riverside Drive West and Rankin Avenue, just west of Atkinson Park, will see a single-family home replaced with a $20-million, three-and-a-half-storey apartment building. The plan from Agbaba Holdings Inc. includes fully furnished studio units under 400 square feet, renting for under $1,500 a month with utilities included — aimed directly at University of Windsor students who want to live near campus.

Breaking the Rules to Get Built

Getting this project approved wasn’t easy. To move forward, the developer had to secure multiple zoning exemptions. The site was originally limited to just four units, but council approved a jump to forty-six. The building will also stand taller than the current nine-metre height limit and include only twelve parking spaces instead of the required fifty-seven.

City planners and Mayor Drew Dilkens both opposed the plan, calling it “over-intensification” and warning that it could set a precedent for more large-scale builds along Riverside Drive. Despite those concerns, council voted 7–3 in favour, arguing Windsor needs more purpose-built housing for students and young professionals.

What It Means for Riverside Drive

Construction is expected to start in 2026 and wrap up by 2027. When complete, it will mark one of the first major residential intensification projects along this stretch of Riverside Drive — a location long dominated by single-family homes.

The decision also opens a wider conversation about how Windsor balances waterfront character with housing demand. With rising student populations and renewed investment near the university, it’s likely this won’t be the last proposal of its kind.

Have Your Say

So, is this smart infill that brings needed density to the west end — or too much for one of Windsor’s most iconic streets?

Share this article and let’s see where Windsor stands.