Royal Windsor Garage and Apartments

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• He did say he remembered a service station behind the Royal Windsor yesterday, which would match the fire plan map in the next article, but he doesn't remember anything that looked like that sketch anywhere on that block. I've gotta show him the map and ask him again.

• If you look here, you'll see it's similar to the old market, but not the same.

  http://internationalmetropolis.com/?p=673

  The same architects of the Royal Windsor, designed the market too.

  Trust me, the garage was built. Photo tomorrow.

• Thanks Andrew. I didn't think it was ever built. Another one bites the dust.
  I have a great idea, just level Windsor and start over. It would save money in th elong run plus we could have a better transit system. :)

• I purchased this building with my partners in July 2010. It was in wretched shape with almost all of the building's primary mechanical & safety systems failing. I have addressed those issues as well as many others. I have also removed 17 dumpster of accumulated garbage, sprayed, fumigated and otherwise cleaned all common areas, empty and tenanted suites. I have also hepled many of the former tenants find other places to live: places where noise, drugs, violence and chaos are more acceptable. It is a very different, and pleasent, place to live now.

  I did need to make this place safe, functional and attractive to modern renters. To that end I remodeled the suites and common areas. You can view our suites on our website: http://www.theroyalwindsor.ca
  (As background, while the building has a relatively expensive facade, the interiors appear to have been finished after Nov. 1929 and were finished very inexpensively. Did the builders run short of money? The original floors were lino over concrete. No stripped hardwood here. Years of renos have rendered some of the original millwork obscurred by paint - about 50% remains clear stained softwood. Some really hideous kitchens were installed in the 60s and 70s as well. The original Murphy style beds in the studios were removed and kitchen installed in there too - likely in the 40s) I think that given the state of the building where we started, we have done a remarkable job.

  In addition to the renovated units and rebuilt mechanical systems, it does now have digital monitored surveilance cameras, a live-in manager, a full-time handyman & free wi-fi. I will not touch the facade other than re-pointing & cleaning. And in the future I will have to look at the windows - I need to retain the look, but improve functionality and efficiency.

  My partners and I hope that this is a place that would appeal to those who want to live, work and/or study in the downtown. I hope that it appeals to a slightly elevated aesthetic sense (it is a beautiful building) and an eye for good value.

  Finally, we never sell our buildings and we relentlessly improve them year after year.

  I am quite willing to correspond with those interested in the refurbishment and revitalization of The Royal Windsor Apartments. Drop me an email: living@theroyalwindsor.ca

  Darcy White
  Owner/Managing Partner

• I was shown a suite here and signed for it the same day.

  The work has been done very well, while retaining old-world charm.

  The kitchens are beautiful.

• K. I've had the knowledge during the past sixty years of the Royal Windsor Garage/ Noble Duff Ltd. You can contact - me at my E - Mail address for any information you need.

• Darcy, Thank you so very much! I just read your post. We need more property owners like you in downtown. With more people with such vision, our downtown will actually succeed. Not like most of the absentee landlords we see today.

  Once again, thank you for contributing to the well being of our downtown.

• Hi Fans of Architecture and History:

  My partners and I have purchased another historic downtown gem. The Garden Courts Apartments at 280 Erie St. W is another "work in progress." This one was built in 1926 (likely with prohibition $$). The finishing and mill work is of better quality, stripped oak flooring in the halls and suites, wide softwook casings, window frames, and solid wood closet doors and built-in cabinetry. It has a pair of covered balconies that feel very "Southern" and we hope to have them swinging with mint julips by summer time.

  Like many Windsor properties, it had substantial "deferred maintenance." That is code for it was in terrible shape. And, with a few exceptions,a completly disfunctional mix of outrageous residents (we asked 11 to leave and find other accomodations). Again we brought in the dumpsters, pest control, mops and buckets, and a live-in managerial couple. We have replaced all the interior water supply and waste systems, bathrooms, and started the long process of renovating and repacing the kitchens.

  Some really interesting details are the copper gutters and (unfortunately) painted over copper cornice pieces, exterior details and suite entrances (the leaded glass transome windows are gone and covered over with 45 min fire rated drywall - ugly but fire code.

  Please visit our website: http://www.gardencourts.ca

  Darcy White
  Rho - Orion Investments Inc.

• Keep it coming Darcy. Hopefully you can buy the apartment at Pitt and Bruce and turn it around. It truly is a gem og a building.

• I agree with everyone, thank you for taking care of such a great building! It reminds me of the dakota in New York in many ways. Very good architecture and will think about relocating here in the future.