The City of Kenora is set to commence the restoration of the historic Kenricia Hotel, prompting current residents to vacate the premises by Nov. 6 as the city assumes ownership. Last summer, Kenora city council unanimously approved acquiring the downtown property. The city’s objective is to revitalize the space into a vibrant community hub for residents and visitors, following its establishment in 1910 as a designated heritage site.
As part of the expropriation process, the city is now inviting developers to submit proposals for the property. With approximately 16 long-term residents at the hotel, the city plans to assist them in finding alternative housing. Support will be provided by the city’s community safety and well-being coordinator as well as the Kenora Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub.
Tenants will receive three months of financial assistance equivalent to their current room charges to aid in the transition. The city also plans to organize a meeting with the HART Hub to facilitate open and safe discussions among the affected individuals.
Despite these efforts, housing advocates like Marlene Elder from Kenora Moving Forward express concerns about the lack of available housing units to accommodate the displaced residents. Elder emphasizes the critical need for diverse housing options in Kenora to address the existing shortage.
The Kenora District Services Board’s recent point-in-time count reported 344 individuals experiencing homelessness in October 2025, with 191 of them in Kenora. Elder stresses the importance of personalized communication with residents facing displacement, particularly those with disabilities, to ensure clarity and support throughout the transition.
In response, the city is actively engaging with developers to enhance development opportunities in Kenora. The vision for the Kenricia Hotel includes operating it as a boutique hotel, incorporating restaurants, meeting spaces, and other amenities to invigorate the downtown area.
The request for proposal (RFP) process for the hotel closes on Oct. 15. Subsequently, a city committee will select the developer with the most promising vision for the building. The final decision on the successful proponent will rest with the city council.