WINDSOR | Construction - News and Development

[NorthshoreCity]

Originally Posted by ericmacm

I'm still working on my comprehensive downtown model, but I whipped up a couple of .kmz massing files for Google Earth to visualize our new developments. Inspiration will be approximately 52m tall and blend in with the string of apartment buildings that neighbour it. As we have no renderings yet for CBC, I added 5 16s generic towers on the property, and I will update it accordingly when the renderings are available.

I also added an easter egg for fun, like I do with some of my other projects - Windsor's greatest missed opportunity, the original 141m/32s design for One Riverside.

I apologize for the watermarking, I had to start doing it because real estate agents were stealing my images.

Thanks for sharing these! I've also enjoyed the future skyline models you've posted on UrbanToronto. It's nice to see some movement in Windsor, I've been stuck in the US since January so I've fallen right out of the loop of what's happening in my hometown.

My favourite update out of this forum is hearing about the Canada Building. That lobby is full of Art Deco goodness that deserves more attention!

[Blitz]

Originally Posted by AmateurPlanner

How is the progress going on those by the way? I haven't been out to the east side in a while. I think he also has plans to add a hotel there as well? Although not sure if that's planned for another phase or not.

Yeah the old Grace Hospital site (University and Crawford) will be a great infill project. I know that just got announced recently as well, but I haven't heard anything since the announcement, so I'm assuming it's still in the planning stages?

There's construction equipment and it looks like they started to clear some land. No word on a hotel but there is currently a 5-6 story Holiday Inn Express under construction at Manning and County Rd. 22.

[AmateurPlanner]

Originally Posted by Blitz

There's construction equipment and it looks like they started to clear some land. No word on a hotel but there is currently a 5-6 story Holiday Inn Express under construction at Manning and County Rd. 22.

Very nice, glad to see some movement on that project!

[AmateurPlanner]

Not the most exciting of the proposals that we've seen so far, but there looks to be a plan to add a 4-story residential building to the corner of Lauzon and Edgar in Riverside. The plot currently has an abandoned house on it, so this looks like a solid addition to the area. There's already some existing commercial around, plus it looks like it will be built on one of the main transit routes (Crosstown 2)

Windsor Star article: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/...lding-a-good-fit-for-lauzon-edgar-corner

It's nice to see these kinds of infill projects adding residential density, especially along transit corridors

[NorthshoreCity]

Originally Posted by AmateurPlanner

Not the most exciting of the proposals that we've seen so far, but there looks to be a plan to add a 4-story residential building to the corner of Lauzon and Edgar in Riverside. The plot currently has an abandoned house on it, so this looks like a solid addition to the area. There's already some existing commercial around, plus it looks like it will be built on one of the main transit routes (Crosstown 2)

Windsor Star article: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/...lding-a-good-fit-for-lauzon-edgar-corner

It's nice to see these kinds of infill projects adding residential density, especially along transit corridors

About time! That lot has bothered me for years sitting vacant. It's pretty obvious from the plan it'll be the same developer driven apartment design that's been popularized in Windsor since the 90's but I'll take that over nothing any day.

[north 42]

Originally Posted by AmateurPlanner

Not the most exciting of the proposals that we've seen so far, but there looks to be a plan to add a 4-story residential building to the corner of Lauzon and Edgar in Riverside. The plot currently has an abandoned house on it, so this looks like a solid addition to the area. There's already some existing commercial around, plus it looks like it will be built on one of the main transit routes (Crosstown 2)

Windsor Star article: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/...lding-a-good-fit-for-lauzon-edgar-corner

It's nice to see these kinds of infill projects adding residential density, especially along transit corridors

Of course the Nimby’s are complaining about the increased traffic and the height of the building, it’s only 4 floors high, lol.

[AmateurPlanner]

Originally Posted by north 42

Of course the Nimby’s are complaining about the increased traffic and the height of the building, it’s only 4 floors high, lol.

LOL I was literally just saying this at lunch! I really hope they don't affect the plans too much. I feel the point about traffic is moot. The other 3 corners of the intersection already have commercial, and this proposal will have 30 units. I can't imagine that will cause the traffic snarls the residents are envisioning, although I will say I don't drive in that area often at all, so maybe I'm speaking out of turn?

Anyone here think traffic will be an issue?

[AmateurPlanner]

Originally Posted by NorthshoreCity

About time! That lot has bothered me for years sitting vacant. It's pretty obvious from the plan it'll be the same developer driven apartment design that's been popularized in Windsor since the 90's but I'll take that over nothing any day.

Agreed! Hopefully the rezoning from commercial to residential goes through!

[NorthshoreCity]

Originally Posted by AmateurPlanner

LOL I was literally just saying this at lunch! I really hope they don't affect the plans too much. I feel the point about traffic is moot. The other 3 corners of the intersection already have commercial, and this proposal will have 30 units. I can't imagine that will cause the traffic snarls the residents are envisioning, although I will say I don't drive in that area often at all, so maybe I'm speaking out of turn?

Anyone here think traffic will be an issue?

Part of the reason why Lauzon was increased to 5 lanes was to allow for developments like this. Only issue I could see is additional traffic taking the corner from Edgar to Lauzon which is trivial. This is a drop in the bucket for Lauzon related traffic which is what makes the intersection dangerous.

One thing I can sympathize with them on is the overtaxed sewer systems in Riverside. That said, it's a city issue and they've slowly been picking away at projects in the area for improvements.

[AmateurPlanner]

Originally Posted by NorthshoreCity

Part of the reason why Lauzon was increased to 5 lanes was to allow for developments like this. Only issue I could see is additional traffic taking the corner from Edgar to Lauzon which is trivial. This is a drop in the bucket for Lauzon related traffic which is what makes the intersection dangerous.

One thing I can sympathize with them on is the overtaxed sewer systems in Riverside. That said, it's a city issue and they've slowly been picking away at projects in the area for improvements.

Yeah I figured that as well, Lauzon is already a fairly large street, although I do see your point on taking the corner.

Agree about the sewer comment as well. I know Riverside has had many sewer issues in the past. I can imagine that all of the new houses going up in East Riverside aren't helping on the strained system either. Hopefully the city continues with it's sewer master plan as it's laid out currently to mitigate and (hopefully) fix the flooding issues

[NorthshoreCity]

Originally Posted by AmateurPlanner

Yeah I figured that as well, Lauzon is already a fairly large street, although I do see your point on taking the corner.

Agree about the sewer comment as well. I know Riverside has had many sewer issues in the past. I can imagine that all of the new houses going up in East Riverside aren't helping on the strained system either. Hopefully the city continues with it's sewer master plan as it's laid out currently to mitigate and (hopefully) fix the flooding issues

Same here! Clearing out a flooded basement weren't exactly my favourite memories of growing up in Riverside haha

Good to know at least 10 years down the road this won't be as much of a concern, although I feel as if they've already been doing work along this stretch of Riverside Drive for the past 10 years:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/flood-protection-plan-proposed-for-east-riverside-1.5312857

[905er]

I had no idea the Chrysler building was suppose to be that tall originally. what a shame that's too bad.. it would have given some nice balance on our side of the border. its nice to see Windsor getting some development thought. I feel one new tallest would have a huge impact to the skyline. here's hoping someday soon.

[ericmacm]

Originally Posted by 905er

I had no idea the Chrysler building was suppose to be that tall originally. what a shame that's too bad.. it would have given some nice balance on our side of the border. its nice to see Windsor getting some development thought. I feel one new tallest would have a huge impact to the skyline. here's hoping someday soon.

Yeah, it's unfortunate that they couldn't build it in full. From my research, it was originally a completely mixed-use building as well, but there were problems finding buyers for the remainder of the office space, in addition to numerous lawsuits from the landowners on Norwich Block, so they had to cut it down in size to avoid a huge cost overrun.

Last year, it was reported that Farhi and the city were working on a potential library deal, and one potential site was at Riverside and Janette, where a 24-30s tower is planned. That would potentially be a new tallest for Windsor with modern floor heights, especially if there's a library podium. We'll see if anything pans out, though.

[NorthshoreCity]

Originally Posted by ericmacm

Yeah, it's unfortunate that they couldn't build it in full. From my research, it was originally a completely mixed-use building as well, but there were problems finding buyers for the remainder of the office space, in addition to numerous lawsuits from the landowners on Norwich Block, so they had to cut it down in size to avoid a huge cost overrun.

Last year, it was reported that Farhi and the city were working on a potential library deal, and one potential site was at Riverside and Janette, where a 24-30s tower is planned. That would potentially be a new tallest for Windsor with modern floor heights, especially if there's a library podium. We'll see if anything pans out, though.

I was part of the early design team for that project back in 2016. To this day I'm not sure if there's much information that I'm allowed to share but I can say that unfortunately the height will not eclipse Caesar's even with the 30 storey option.

That said, it would still be a great western anchor for the skyline if the proposal gains footing.

[Blitz]

Originally Posted by AmateurPlanner

Not the most exciting of the proposals that we've seen so far, but there looks to be a plan to add a 4-story residential building to the corner of Lauzon and Edgar in Riverside. The plot currently has an abandoned house on it, so this looks like a solid addition to the area. There's already some existing commercial around, plus it looks like it will be built on one of the main transit routes (Crosstown 2)

Windsor Star article: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/...lding-a-good-fit-for-lauzon-edgar-corner

It's nice to see these kinds of infill projects adding residential density, especially along transit corridors

It's the same developer who built the new condo building at Wyandotte and Fairview - that one is really well done so I expect the same with this one. That abandoned house was finally demolished a few months ago. I grew up in Olde Riverside and that house had been abandoned for as long as I can remember...was a local landmark in a very weird kind of way.

[AmateurPlanner]

Originally Posted by Blitz

It's the same developer who built the new condo building at Wyandotte and Fairview - that one is really well done so I expect the same with this one. That abandoned house was finally demolished a few months ago. I grew up in Olde Riverside and that house had been abandoned for as long as I can remember...was a local landmark in a very weird kind of way.

Just took a look at that condo (The Fairview for anyone who's interested). It does look really well done! Sounds like this development is promising then.

Haha it appears my Google Streetview reference was a little old then I know what you mean though, it's funny how certain things become reference points for the community

[AmateurPlanner]

Originally Posted by NorthshoreCity

I was part of the early design team for that project back in 2016. To this day I'm not sure if there's much information that I'm allowed to share but I can say that unfortunately the height will not eclipse Caesar's even with the 30 storey option.

That said, it would still be a great western anchor for the skyline if the proposal gains footing.

That's unfortunate I do remember reading about those proposals for some towers along Riverside Dr that Farhi owns, but I didn't know about the library portion. This article looks to be from October 2019 and I haven't heard anything else since then https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/...talyst-for-riverside-drive-condo-project

I'm pretty sure Farhi also owns the lot right next to the under-renovation Doubletree Hotel downtown, as well as the couple lots mentioned in the article

Edit: I finally found the article that mentions the 3 towers along Riverside that Farhi had proposed last year, although it appears that nothing more has materialized from them (other than the Doubletree renovation) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/farhi-windsor-downtown-condominiums-business-dwbia-1.5299099

[AmateurPlanner]

I also took the liberty of making a building request for Inspiration Tower I'm a bit new to this forum, does anyone know what the turnaround time on building requests is?

Link to request thread: https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243967

[NorthshoreCity]

Originally Posted by AmateurPlanner

I also took the liberty of making a building request for Inspiration Tower I'm a bit new to this forum, does anyone know what the turnaround time on building requests is?

Link to request thread: https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243967

It used to be 24-48 hours in 2016, then 3-4 days last year when they switched from the other mod, now it's 2+ months since they don't really have anyone dedicated to requests and changes anymore.

[AmateurPlanner]

Originally Posted by NorthshoreCity

It used to be 24-48 hours in 2016, then 3-4 days last year when they switched from the other mod, now it's 2+ months since they don't really have anyone dedicated to requests and changes anymore.

Awww darn that sucks Well I'll keep an eye out and see if it ever gets updated then