Former Extendicare Falconbridge building will become a hotel
In May, Extendicare Falconbridge moved residents to a new building in the city’s South End, leaving many to wonder what is going to happen to the old building that was left behind.
Former Extendicare Falconbridge being used temporarily for student housing before being turned into a hotel. Oct. 8, 2024 (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV Northern Ontario)
Local entrepreneur John Law purchased the building on Falconbridge Road in the spring and plans to turn it into a hotel in a few years.
"It will be a Best Western Plus and then we're going to add additions to the back for the swimming pool and exercise room," Law said.
"And in the future, maybe two or three years, we're going to expand another 75-unit behind the building."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
He and his wife Jolie Nguyen are no strangers to business in the city having started in the restaurant industry.
The couple owns several restaurant franchises in the city and said they have always wanted to expand into hotels.
But before that happens, they said they want to use the space to give back to the community.
"We are children of immigrant parents. So, we understood the need for … the housing and the support of all the students that are in town right now," Nguyen said.
"So when this opportunity came around for us to be able to provide housing for students … just made sense."
Currently, 60 students call the former long-term care facility home.
Student bedroom in former Extendicare Falconbridge. Oct. 8, 2024 (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV Northern Ontario)
Each room features one or two beds and a shared bathroom.
There is also a communal kitchen available and common area featuring a pool table, foosball and vending machines.
Common area of former Extendicare Falcobridge which is now used for student housing before being turned into a hotel in a few years. Oct. 8, 2024 (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV Northern Ontario)
"I think the vision for sure is definitely just to give affordable housing back to Sudbury students," Joshua Law, John and Jolie’s son and building manager of Law Rental.
"When I was in school, even right now, I'm purchasing my first home, everything's been tough. Housing prices everywhere, everything's just ridiculous. So being able to give out housing for $400 to students, it's unheard of."
Joshua said it has been a win-win as student residents have also been able to gain employment with his father, working for him at his other businesses.
The plan is to keep the building available for student housing for the next two years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Tracking Hurricane Milton: Storm strengthens to Category 5 again
The U.S. National Hurricane Center designated Hurricane Milton as a Category 5 storm again after reaching wind speeds of 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h).
Hurricane Milton expected to hit Florida cities like Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach
Hurricane Milton is expected to leave a path of devastation across central Florida, from Tampa in the west to Daytona Beach in the east.
Meteorologist becomes emotional giving update on Hurricane Milton
A seasoned American meteorologist became emotional on air as he gave an update on a major hurricane, later suggesting the reason behind his strong reaction.
'I hope so': Marc Garneau on whether Liberal party still has room for Blue Liberals
Former cabinet minister Marc Garneau, who describes himself in his new book as always-a-Liberal, 'but a decidedly blue one,' says he hopes the party still has room for someone like him.
4 people in Ontario sickened with listeriosis amid beef tongue recall: ministry
The Ontario Ministry of Health says four people have been sickened after consuming beef tongue believed to be contaminated with listeria.
'Very' serious issue: federal transport minister on contamination in northern Alberta town
The renewed pleas of people in Fort Chipewyan, Alta. for government to take action cleaning up contamination in their community have reached the ears of federal Transport Minister Anita Anand.
'Extremely disappointed': Family of homicide victim storms out of courtroom as judge reads decision
Emotions boiled over after a judge acquitted two out of three defendants in a manslaughter case, while the third accused has since died.
'I find it really disheartening': Family calls out police after Ottawa senior falls victim to theft in parking lot
On September 11, Madeleine Gervais was the victim of a theft in Ottawa's west end. It happened in the Loblaws parking lot in College Square, when she was approached by a man and a woman who insisted to help her load her groceries into her car.
Dominican Republic starts mass deportations of Haitians and expels nearly 11,000 in a week
The Dominican Republic said Tuesday it has deported or repatriated nearly 11,000 Haitians in the past week, fulfilling a pledge to do so weekly as neighboring Haiti scrambles to handle the influx while besieged by gang violence and poverty.