From November, 1927 – A huge plan was announced by a company called the Greater Windsor Development Company. The plan included transforming a downtown block into a world class property.
The first phase announced was for the erection of a four story Apartment Building, along with a three story ramp parking garage. The boundary of the development was to run from University to Park along Dougall Ave. This first phase was to cost $600,000 (about $7.4 million in 2009 dollars).
The second phase that was to be erected later called for the construction of a 25 story hotel, that was to be the tallest hotel in the British Empire. The apartment building was to contain 64 units and was designed by the firm of Trace, O’Dell and Diehl. John Edward trace was a local architect, while Augustus O’Dell and Gerald Diehl were both Detroit architects. This firm also designed the old Windsor City Market.
The value of the hotel was pegged at $1.5 million (about $18.4 million in 2009 dollars).
The drawing on the top looks a bit like that apartment building on Dougall and Giles…if you really squint.
I wonder if the blueprints are still around, and if something with the same style would float if it was built today. This is the type of apartment complex that would look great and suit the needs of downtown.
About 10 years ago they started to refurbish those apartments, which use Kahn’s concrete truss system, but I don’t know if they ever finished them.
This should be a gem in Windsor, like it would be in most cities but like most things it is neglected (or half-assed to keep rent cheap) as it is surrounded by slums and drugs.
Too bad because we don’t have enough of these style of apartments downtown. I guess that is what happens when cities turn a blind eye to the more downtrodden areas of our city.
Brendan, I used to live in that complex on Giles (Parkside, Park Place?) and I can tell you they wre in almost original shape. Very quiet and quaint. However a previous owner a few years decided to do soe “rehab” and painted the mahogany wood a turd brown colour in some of the apartments before they sold it.
Anyway, there aren’t much left of these types of apartments in Windsor anymore so we need to keep an eye on the one’s we have.
Had this complex been built at the time, it would no doubt have been torn down by now to make way for a parking lot.
Many other classy structures of notoriety in the downtown have suffered this fate and have been replaced by empty lots or cheap structures. Norton Palmer, Prince Edward…
What happened to the parking garage? Was it ever built?
It’s a really nice building, but I’ve gotta agree with ME again. It’s surrounded by slums and drugs. But, then again, the landlords are not doing their share to clean up the neighbourhood as I keep noticing the rags, torn bedsheets, etc., they allow tenants to hang up in the windows, which is not conducive to getting the kind of professional type clientelle it deserves and once had. Put it in their leases that that’s not allowed and manage your tenants instead of being an absentee landlord, for Chrissake!
David, no the garage never was built. But notice how nice it is and how it fints into the landscape. Now compare that with the turds the city and other developers have built within our core.
If we want to be a world class city we have to act and design our city like one. Talking is cheap, I ask the city where is the action?
Yes, the Garage was built, I think it came down in the 1970’s.
The apartment I think Bendan was refering to is the Grenada.
Allegedly, it was the same architects, (or so I’ve been told) I however, have yet to confrim that.
Are you sure the garage was built next to the Royal Windsor? I just spoke to a senior who was convinced that the second picture was of the Old Windsor Market, where they built the casino addition and that up until the 1950s there were two houses on that parking lot next to the Royal Windsor that were moved to Janette St. 432, 441, 493 Janette St. (one of which was across the street) for more parking for the Norton Palmer. 1251 Janette St. came from Victoria St. behind the Norton Palmer.
David might be right and that drawing may be for the old market – it looks exactly like it, and I’m pretty sure it was a garage before they turned it into a market so that make sense.
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.
too bad the building apparently still smells like marijuana.. crossed off my list.
Hi Again Fans of Old Windsor Buildings;
We have taken on another Windsor heritage property. This is The Maple Apartments at 1290 Ouellette. The Maples features some sandstone decorative elements integrated into a rather simple brick facade. Inside there are polished terrazo floors under the dull brown carpets, oak floors to re-sand, stain and seal, inlaid tile bathroom floors and surrounds to recover. We will see what we can polish, repair and restore with this reno. Track our progress at http://www.rentwindsor.ca for a gallery of pictures.
(Hi Jake. I understand your frustration with pot. I have a resident who for legit medical reasons uses marijuana because he was involved in a car accident and is legitimately disabled). We have weather-stripped his doors, installed exhaust fans in his suite and still…I’d really hate to put a disabled vet on the street. Sorry we couldn’t help you out. darcy