Ontario Casino Complex Could Become Tallest Buildings in Niagara Falls

A rendering of a proposed casino-hotel in Canada that could change the skyline and the landscape of the Niagara Falls area. (Image: courtesy of Hennepin Realty)

A proposed hotel, residential, and casino complex could create the two tallest buildings in the Canadian city of Niagara Falls, if a developer has its way with an existing hotel property. 

Developer Hennepin Realty Holdings has filed plans with the city showing that it plans to demolish the existing Oakes Hotel, then redevelop the site into a multi-use complex that would include casino gambling, according to a report by BlogTO.

Towers to Include Hotel, Residential Spaces Along With Casino 

The development plans show that the new site would include a pair of 58-story towers that would include not only a casino, but also a hotel, residential facilities, offices, a banquet hall, and more. The plans also call for the development of a seven-story parking garage one block away to service the new development. 

The plans would put restaurants and the casino on the second level of the towers, with a fifth-level skybridge being used to connect the two buildings. The complex would house 126 residential units as well as 1,140 hotel suites.

If built as designed by architects-Alliance, a firm operating out of Toronto, the towers would stand 210.05 meters (689 feet), taller than any building currently existing in Niagara Falls. 

However, that doesn’t mean such a project would ever actually produce the tallest building in the city. Several other development projects have already been approved in Niagara Falls that are planned to be even taller, including a 77-story tower on Robinson Street and a 72-story tower on Stanley Avenue.

Two Casinos Dominate Niagara Falls Gaming Market

Any new casino in Niagara Falls would find itself in competition with two existing facilities in the city. Casino Niagara has been in operation in the city since 1996, while the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort opened in 2004. Both casinos are currently operated by Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment. 

Competition with those venues would be a new tact for the property, as the Oakes Hotel currently has a symbiotic relationship with the casinos. 

The hotel touts itself as one of the best places to stay due to its prominent location near Niagara Falls and the surrounding tourism district, including Fallsview Casino. The Oakes Hotel even offers a Fallsview Casino package to guests, which includes a $25 voucher for free slots play for each night of each guest’s stay, as well as a variety of tours and dining credits.

Early reaction to the redevelopment plans has been muted, with some commentors on the UrbanToronto.ca forums questioning how the towers would look in the future Niagara Falls skyline.

“This looks terrible,” forum posted Lenser wrote. “If you’re going to go tall, do it with some style. As it stands, this would be an epic blight.”

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