An exterior view as it looks today.
A view of the front entrance.
Touches of the craze of the times are visible in the Egyptian Revival elements over the front entrance way. When first built there was no door at this entrance. The wood doors just inside the vestibule was originally the front entrance. The two retail spaces on the main floor were then accessible without entering the building.
These were the guys hidden behind the lighted signs visible in yesterday’s photos. You can see where the holes were punched to mount the signs.
They are both in pretty good shape, although the right hand side of this guy has a bit of water erosion because of the broken downspout dumping water on his head…
Looking at the great wooden and leaded glass entrance to the building from the vestibule. Putting in the glass front door probably saved this wood from ruin.
A view of the light fixture in the vestibule.
A view of the original chrome door pulls.
Looking back at the entrance from the lobby.
A view of the lobby, looking west. For eight years of vacancy, the water damage isn’t really that bad.
A view of the former retail spaces, with the large showcase windows facing the lobby.
A view of some of the water damage. The lobby ceiling is all painted with faux paint techniques.
The walls and floor are lined with marble, and are in great shape. Looking back at the lobby towards Ouellette.
Interestingly enough, there is a fireplace in one of the sub basements.
A typical view of an upper floor corridor.
Typical office view.
Another office view.
This was the only original door we saw on our tour. Most of them had been replaced with steel fire doors.
Looking out the window at the fire escape mounted on the south side. Hotel Dieu is visible in the background.
In the mechanical penthouse on the roof, the elevator motor is the original dating to 1928. It is not functional, and the elevator is planned to be replaced and enlarged.
A view of the roof.
A view of the backside of the parapet visible from Ouellette.
Hopefully this project takes off. Windsor needs more stories of rehab, and reuse of our historic structures. Too bad it took someone from Calgary to realize the potential our historic structures have. After the Seagrave and Bank of Montreal, it’s refreshing to see an owner with some vision. 🙂
Maybe some local devellopers can learn a lesson or two from this project?
Very interesting. Perhaps they should auction off the original door, and any other original pieces they don’t intend to keep. I also wonder if there is any interest out there for the elevator and motor. Maybe even a museum might want it. I know the Granada apartment building has (unless something happened to it in the last 7 years) a working elevator from around this time, although I imagine the motor has been replaced over the years.
Sadly, the only way anyone might learn anything from this is if it is a resounding success. So, here’s hoping it happens.
Too bad about the old elevator (lift). My family doctor’s office (Dr. Breault – inventor of the child proof cap for medicines) was in that building. The lift was operated by a person and had the steel cage doors.
It was pretty cool thinking back on it…
David – the original door is staying.
From what I understand there are two problems with the existing lift.
1. It doesn’t work
2. It’s too small to accomodate home furnishings being moved in. If the conversion is coompleted, and the the units are sold, you wouldn’t be happy as a tennant if you couldn’t move a couch in…
Awesome building… it’d sure make a SWEET parking lot!
Mike
Hey Andrew, that’s what movers are for! 8^)
There is something magical about those old elevators — and I think it is the feeling of taking your life in your hands as you close the door and pray the thing works as advertised. I can tell you I was a little nervous the first few times I rode in one of those elevators. After a while, I wanted to spare that elevator any unnecessary trips so I took the stairs most of the time. Besides, moving a couple of couches without an elevator puts hair on your chest!
David II, i totally agree with you on the magic of old elevators. i’m going to be living in windsor court very soon and it stil has them oldies with the cage. you are definitly taking your life in your hands!
and andrew, your right about space in those old elevators. took my girlfreinds mom and sister to see the apartment yesterday, there was room for me and a stroller LOL
Did anyone notice this article, as I know it should mean a lot to the people that visit this site:
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/story.html?id=d6ef3353-f838-4ca5-8462-3896270b6ece
“Recently, the committee tried to convince TD Canada Trust to incorporate the historical 19th Century facade of the bank once located at Ouellette Avenue and Riverside Drive, preserved by the city in storage, into its planned new downtown building. The proposal was “met with shockingly venomous direct threats of legal action” by the developer involved, Heil added in his resignation letter.”
YIKES!!! i guess that ain’t happenin’ then huh? lol
thanks for the note shawn. i never seen that, but i suspect quite a few of the comments on there were left by alot of the people here. that really is a shame about mr heil.