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
DEVELOPING Live updates: Hurricane Milton downgraded as it nears Florida
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 125 m.p.h. (205 km/h), downgrading it to a Category 3 storm, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Pilot dies aboard Turkish Airlines flight, forcing emergency landing in New York
A Turkish Airlines jetliner headed from Seattle to Istanbul made an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday after the captain died on board, an airline official said.
Hundreds of thousands of popular vehicles recalled in Canada over steering issue
Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled in Canada due to a steering-related issue that could increase a driver's risk of crash.
'We want things to go forward': Bloc leader hints his party 'might' help end House impasse
The leader of the Bloc Quebecois says his party 'might play a role' in helping the Liberals get House of Commons business rolling again — after days of Conservative-led debate on a privilege matter — but that his assistance would come at a cost.
Why are there cars in the Detroit River?
Dozens of cars were pulled out of the Detroit River in west Windsor on Tuesday, causing many questions for Windsorites.
Rare Monet returned to family more than 80 years after it was stolen by Nazis
A Claude Monet pastel painting stolen by Nazis during World War II, which vanished for decades only to show up with a Louisiana art dealer, was returned Wednesday in New Orleans to the descendants of its original owners.
Women say they were kicked off of Spirit Airlines flight for what they were wearing
Two Orange County women are speaking out after they say they were kicked off of a Spirit Airlines flight because of what they were wearing.
Man charged with human smuggling near Manitoba border crossing
A 42-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with human smuggling following an investigation near a Canada-U.S. border crossing in Manitoba.
Kremlin says Trump sent COVID tests to Russia during pandemic, denies report of Putin calls
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that the administration of former U.S. president Donald Trump had sent COVID tests to Russia but it denied reports that Trump had spoken at all to Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office.