Paul Martin Building in Downtown Windsor
to Transform Into Boutique Hotel
The historic Paul Martin Building, spanning an entire city block in downtown Windsor, is set to undergo a transformation into a luxury boutique hotel. The project to revitalize the building will be carried out by RJM Holdings.
Acquired by the City of Windsor from the federal government in 2019, this iconic landmark has been at the centre of collective efforts between the City and its partners to revitalize Windsor’s vibrant and evolving downtown core. 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.
The Paul Martin Building was completed early in 1930, and designed by George Masson and Windsor-born architect Hugh P. Sheppard. The location was chosen to establish a federal government position of importance on the Windsor 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.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the rich history of the Paul Martin Building, and a major step forward for downtown Windsor. This is the start a transformative journey to create a boutique hotel, located downtown and steps away from our incredible waterfront. I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to RM Group; Dino Maggio; and, in particular, a special thank you to Rob Myers for his faith in our community. The investment they’re making, and the work they’ll be putting into our downtown revitalization vision is significant. This exciting venture not only preserves the architectural legacy of the Paul Martin Building but also contributes to the ongoing renaissance of our community. City Council remains committed to changing the trajectory of downtown Windsor to align with the growth and excitement happening across our entire city. Council’s investments through the downtown CIP, focus on safety and revitalization, and unwavering commitment to creating amazing experiences are all helping to lock in these wins for Windsor.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
As part of RJM’s plans, the Paul Martin Building will be transformed into a world-class boutique hotel featuring 80 to 100 individually styled suites. The site will also include 20 to 40 full-service residences, primarily for corporate travellers and companies wishing to obtain a corporate suite. Among its many amenities, the property will feature an in-house restaurant, café, several meeting and event spaces, a library/lounge, and retail space. This project is supported by the City of Windsor’s 2017 Community Improvement Program, and aligns with the Windsor Works plan for economic development through many initiatives, including the revitalization of the downtown core.