Hilton hotel opens in former Radisson after $25 million investment

tomtidgewellNovember 29, 2022

The grand opening of the new DoubleTree by Hilton Windsor Hotel & Suites took place on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens (left) and hotel owner Shmuelfari are pictured during the event. Photo by Dan Janis /windsor star

The revitalized downtown landmark officially cut its ribbon on Tuesday after a $25 million investment from a London developer transformed the long-decayed building into a sleek new hotel.

The former Radisson hotel at 333 Riverside Dr. W. is now a DoubleTree by Hilton.

This is one of many past and ongoing developments Shmuel Farhi has done in Windsor, which he has described as the best investment city he has ever dealt with.

Farhi, Head of London-based Farhi Holdings, said:

“I believe in Windsor. I believe in the economy. I believe in the people here. And it’s one of those municipalities that understands business.”

Following a soft opening in June, the grand opening on Tuesday was attended by dozens of people, including city council members, hotel representatives and members of the business community.

The grand opening of the new DoubleTree by Hilton Windsor Hotel & Suites took place on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Part of the facility was opened to the public during the event. Photo by Dan Janis /windsor star

The project took years to complete, partially hampered by significant delays and increased costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Drew Dilkens said the new hotel will create about 100 jobs.

“(Fali) has survived the pandemic and completed the project,” Dilkens said. “Despite rising inflation, despite supply chain challenges, he has done it. It’s great to see something come alive on the riverfront, the million-dollar view of the city.”

Go inside and you will see that everything has been rebuilt

Farhi said he spent millions to transform the former 208-room Radisson into a luxurious Doubletree with 140 rooms and 41 suites.

Farhi, who purchased the building in 2013, said: Basically a new hotel. Once inside, you can see that everything has been rebuilt. “

The grand opening of the new DoubleTree by Hilton Windsor Hotel & Suites took place on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. Steve Weldon hoisted a banner in front of the event. Photo by Dan Janis /windsor star

His company had already spent millions of dollars refurbishing other downtown hotels, including the Travelodge, Best Western, and Holiday Inn Express.

“We have over 640 suites in total,” says Farhi. “Typically, hotels are about 100 suites. On the riverfront, he’s like six hotels that are actually literally brand new.”

The city has invested $3.3 million into the Hilton Project through the Community Improvement Plan.

“Hotels pay a lot of property taxes,” Dilkens says. “They are a good investment and built knowing they can be profitable, which means attracting visitors to the community.

“So this is great in that it’s another piece for revitalizing downtown. It tells the story.”

The hotel renovation is one of many new developments Farhi has planned for Windsor. These include large apartment projects on long empty lots on Lauzon Road and downtown Riverside Drive and Janet Avenue.

Once those projects are complete, Farhi said he plans to begin a $300-500 million hotel development on 53 acres of land across from the new mega-hospital site.

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