$8-million boutique hotel planned for Windsor’s Little Italy
There’s something new planned for Windsor’s Little Italy.
Co-owner of 781 Erie Street, Randy Saccucci, believes a boutique hotel is just what the area needs to add to the area’s restaurants, café’s and proximity to downtown.
“We believe that this is the first boutique-style hotel, independently owned in Windsor,” says Saccucci.
Located at the corner of Erie street and Marentette, the building was originally zoned for apartments, but at Monday’s Development and Heritage Standing Committee meeting, rezoning passed to turn the 4-storey building to a 12-unit hotel.
“At the end of the day if the City of Windsor is going to grow, hotels are one of the things that are going to be needed. More tourists, more hotels,” says Saccucci.
If approved by council next month, Saccucci says the $8-million development will create dozens of jobs.
“Once we figure out what we are doing with the commercial space on the main floor, we figure it will bring in between 15-30 jobs in total between the hotel and commercial space,” says Saccucci.
“When we first found out about it, we were really happy about it. it’s something we always wanted on Erie street, a nice little boutique hotel,” says Erie street BIA president Fil Rocca.
Boutique hotel planned for 781 Erie Street in Windsor, Ont. (Courtesy of Randy Saccucci)
He says it's another reason for visitors to come to the area.
“I’ve been meeting with people from out of town booking weddings for 2022 and they are asking me already to book some rooms across the street. It’s going to be a great thing for Erie Street and Windsor,” says Rocca.
“We offer everything from five star to lower economy and now if this goes through a nice boutique hotel so that’s a very welcoming addition to the offering we have for accommodation in the region,” says Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island CEO, Gordon Orr.
Hotels, an industry hit hard by the pandemic, are looking at a slow recovery according to Orr.
“They’re predicting 2024 before we start to see pre-COVID numbers. That being said there is a demand for accommodations in different market segments. So there will be a demand hopefully by the time this is built and we start to see our accommodation levels rise again,” says Orr.
Saccucci says each suite will have a full kitchen and its own balcony when they open. Completion is planned for January 2022.
“Although the apartments would have been rented and we’ve had a lot of inquiries about apartments. I think a hotel is going to suit the street and this corner a lot better,” says Saccucci.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.