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."

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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.