Developer begins work on Pelissier Street project aimed at diversifying downtown housing
Windsor has moved a step closer to adding market and affordable housing in its downtown core after a local developer broke ground this week on a $16.8-million townhouse complex on Pelissier Street.
The project, located in the 700 block of Pelissier Street on land that was previously used as a municipal parking lot, was publicly launched at a ceremony on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. The development is led by Pelissier Park Ltd., whose owner and developer, Chris MacLeod, spoke at the groundbreaking.
City officials selected the development group to build on the site. The plan for the new townhomes calls for a mix of unit types aimed at meeting different needs in the community.
- 32 two‑bedroom suites intended for general market residents;
- 8 accessible one‑bedroom suites designed for tenants requiring mobility accommodations;
- 8 affordable suites designated as lower‑cost units within the project.
The site’s transformation from surface parking to residential dwellings is a visible example of infill development in the city’s central neighbourhoods. By converting a municipal lot, the project repurposes existing urban land rather than extending the city’s footprint outward.
The developer and city leaders cast the project as part of ongoing efforts to increase housing options downtown. The combination of market, accessible and affordable units is intended to broaden the range of households that could live close to the city’s core, services and transit.
“We are excited to see development on this site and the mix of units proposed,” said the developer at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Construction on the townhomes represents a near‑term addition to Windsor’s housing stock. The $16.8‑million budget covers land redevelopment and construction of the multiple townhome units. The project’s location and unit mix will make it one of several recent developments seeking to densify areas near the downtown.
| Project element | Number of units |
|---|---|
| Two‑bedroom suites | 32 |
| Accessible one‑bedroom suites | 8 |
| Affordable suites | 8 |
For Windsor residents, the project will be notable for several reasons: it reclaims municipal property for housing; introduces accessible units in a neighbourhood where such units can be limited; and includes a designated number of affordable homes within a medium‑density development.
How the new units integrate with existing services, transportation and neighbourhood character will be closely watched by residents and councillors alike as construction proceeds. The development also raises questions about long‑term affordability, tenant mix and how the city balances parking needs with densification objectives.
As construction advances, details on timelines for completion, tenant eligibility for the affordable suites and any additional municipal contributions or agreements will be of interest to residents tracking downtown redevelopment. For now, the ceremonial groundbreaking signals the start of physical work on a project backed by both the developer and city decision‑makers.
The Pelissier Street townhomes are part of a broader local conversation about housing supply and downtown renewal. Converting a municipal parking site into residential use underscores a municipal strategy increasingly seen in mid‑sized Ontario cities: concentrate growth near services and transit rather than sprawl into surrounding neighbourhoods.
Residents seeking updates on construction progress, occupancy timelines or details about the affordable suites should watch for further announcements from Pelissier Park Ltd. and the City of Windsor.
