Housing Solutions Made for Windsor Future Development Update

Investment of Approximately $300 Million, 4 New Buildings, and 387 New Units as Part of Caron Avenue and Riverside Drive West Developments

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and developer Shmuel Farhi, along with members of City Council and City administration, and representatives from Farhi Holdings Corporation and PCR Constructors Inc., have announced the first major future development under the Housing Solutions Made for Windsor portfolio. 

Farhi Holdings Corporation (FHC) is the successful proponent for the Caron Avenue Site Expression of Interest (EOI) issued in 2024. This site was the first property included under the City’s Housing Solutions Made for Windsor (HSMFW) strategy, which was designed to support unprecedented growth in Windsor. The strategy aims to increase the supply of housing to meet aggressive targets for the community by identifying and making shovel ready various municipal lands with high potential for residential development.

Following today’s announcement, FHC and local contractor PCR Constructors Inc. – The Collavino Group, in partnership with the City, will deliver two landmark residential developments representing a transformative investment of approximately $300 million to reshape Windsor’s waterfront and downtown for generations. The combined developments will include 387 residential units, commercial space, and new parking options in the city’s evolving downtown core. 

Caron Avenue Development:

The Caron Avenue Development, Council’s first HSMFW-approved development, will be constructed in three phases, and will include three buildings, 200 units, 1,439 square feet of ground floor commercial space, a coffee shop and bistro, and onsite parking. The residential options will be a mix of studio, one-, one-plus a den, two- and three-bedroom units.

Riverside Drive West Development:

Leveraging the strategic location and impact of the City’s Caron Avenue site, the Riverside Drive West Development will be constructed at Riverside Drive West and Janette Avenue and will include a 28-storey riverfront residential tower, 187 units, and integrated commercial space. The residential options will be a mix of studio, one-, one-plus a den, two- and three-bedroom units, as well as 4 penthouse units. FHC plans to break ground on the Riverside Drive West site in 2026.

Through the City’s HSMFW strategy, first unveiled in March of 2024, municipal properties have been identified as possessing significant and immediate potential for development covering all types of housing needs, including affordable housing, and missing middle housing. To date, the properties included under HSMFW include the Caron Avenue Parking Lot, Pelissier Street Parking Lot, former W.D. Lowe site, Roseland Golf Club Parking Lot, former Grace Hospital site, former Windsor arena, and a portion of the Kinsmen Norman Road Park site.

The Caron Avenue site was selected as the first property to move forward with an EOI because of its strategic location and alignment with key housing and downtown revitalization initiatives. Through the EOI, developers were invited to submit comprehensive proposals that align with Windsor’s vision of housing solutions for sustainable, inclusive, and community-oriented development.

These two significant developments also align with the City’s Strengthen the Core: Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan, which works to address the perception of safety; improve cleanliness and beautification efforts; and increase engagement opportunities to attract new investments, businesses, residents and visitors to the downtown core. 

Quotes:

“Windsorites deserve Housing Solutions Made for Windsor, and Council is delivering on our promise right out of the gate with this exciting announcement of major developments coming for Caron Avenue and Riverside Drive West at Janette. This is the first major development announcement under our housing strategy, and we’re proud to partner with Mr. Shmuel Farhi, Farhi Holdings Corporation and PCR Constructors Inc. to bring this vision to life in our downtown core. This development reflects substantial work that is going into attracting new investments, businesses, residents, and visitors to our community, and to the downtown. This also signals that the narrative is shifting, and that even in the face of economic uncertainties on the global stage, Windsor remains on an upward growth trajectory that will positively impact our entire community for generations to come. We are focused on the long game, and this is one piece of the puzzle for Windsor’s unprecedented growth. On behalf of Council and the City of Windsor, I thank Mr. Farhi and the teams for this incredible $300 million investment in housing and downtown revitalization, and for standing in lockstep with Council as we focus on Building Windsor’s Future together.”
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

“We have been working around the clock to Strengthen the Core in downtown Windsor, and we are not taking our foot off the gas for even one second. This is how you attract more investment, more businesses, more residents, more visitors, and more opportunities. This is how you showcase downtown Windsor as a viable and exciting place to live, work, play, visit, and invest. We said the Caron Avenue Site EOI would result in developments that would make a difference where and when it is most needed; today shows what is possible, and how bright the future can be. Here we go!”
- Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3

“For more than two decades, the Farhi family has been proud to invest in Windsor, supporting projects that revitalize the city, strengthen its communities, and enhance its skyline. During this time, we have brought new life to a number of significant properties, including the former Lear Factory next to the WFCU Centre, where we continue to develop over 1,000 residential units in our Rosewater Estates development. Along Windsor’s exceptional downtown riverfront, offering remarkable views of a Detroit skyline undergoing a thoughtful renaissance, widely regarded as one of North America’s most significant urban renewals, we have transformed the former Radisson into the DoubleTree by Hilton, the former Travelodge into the Holiday Inn Express, and revitalized the Best Western Plus. This commitment continues to guide our work. Today marks the beginning of another important chapter: a landmark $300 million redevelopment that will help further reshape Windsor's own downtown waterfront skyline. This project is another step in our long-term vision for the city. Over the next 10 to 15 years, we anticipate several hundred additional residential units along the riverfront, building on the 400 units currently planned. When complete, the combined investment will exceed $1 billion, reflecting our confidence in Windsor’s future and the positive trajectory of the city’s growth. The scale and consistency of these investments reflect the Farhi family’s enduring commitment to Windsor’s long-term success. None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our team at Farhi Holdings Corporation, along with our steadfast partnership with the Collavino Group and the thoughtful leadership of the Mayor, City Council, and Windsor’s civic administration. Their dedication to responsible growth, community-building, and long-term planning has created the foundation for meaningful progress, and we are grateful for their support in shaping Windsor’s continued success.”
- Shmuel Farhi, Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Farhi Holdings Corporation