Fit for the Queen
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during their 1959 Canada Tour through Sault Ste. Marie. During their stay, the Queen and Prince Philip resided at the Windsor Park Hotel.
SSMPL archive
An Iconic City Heritage
​
The Windsor Hotel was originally built in 1895 as a boutique luxury hotel featuring upscale rooms, dining, and event spaces. It earned a lasting reputation as one of Sault Ste. Marie’s most prestigious venues.
In subsequent years, significant expansions took place, with an addition in 1919 and the construction of a nine-storey high-rise in 1931, holding the distinction of being Sault Ste. Marie’s tallest building for an extended period.
Notably, in July 1959, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip made a stop in the town as part of their 45-day Canada Tour, choosing to stay at the Windsor Park Hotel.
In 1996, Dr. Lou Lukenda acquired the property and transformed it into Windsor Park Retirement Residence. Later, Dr. Lukenda generously donated the property to Algoma University, who repurposed it as a student residence in 2010.
Finally, in 2023, substantial renovations were completed, leading to the launch of the Windsor Place Retirement Residence, now serving as an urban senior living community in Sault Ste. Marie.
​
Read more about our rich history >
​
​