‘Global style’ cafe with glass-enclosed look coming to Ouellette Avenue

The building itself, which was built roughly 100 years ago at the western foot of Tuscarora Street, will have eight residential units, including two live-work units on the main floor aimed at artists.

“My raison d’être is making Windsor a better place,” Trenhaile told the Star. “That’s what drives me. That’s what gets me up in the morning.

“There’s no greater place I can help with my skillset than bringing back the downtown core and revitalizing it based on what a modern, healthy downtown is. It requires residential density and it requires sound urban planning.”

Although the glass-enclosed look is popular in Europe, Trenhaile described the cafe as “global style,” emulating ones he’s seen on boulevards while backpacking through Europe, South Korea, Thailand, Brazil and beyond.

“They’re everywhere. We just don’t have that in downtown Windsor and I thought that was a perfect spot to do it.”

Trenhaile acquired the ex-law office in part because it has parking out back, which he said helps his bigger development at the former Knights of Columbus headquarters next door (703-717 Ouellette Ave.).

That building has been vacant for more than a decade and will be redeveloped to maintain four retail fronts and create 34 apartments in the rear. The back of the building last served as a bingo hall but was originally a ballroom.