The 55-year-old Diplomat Motel at 844 Queen Street East has been purchased by a Toronto developer/ property manager planning to convert it into apartments.
The 30-unit Diplomat was founded in 1960 by the Sault's Suriano family, known for its work ethic and business savvy demonstrated at many other family enterprises including Suriano's Restaurant (Al's Diner), Parkway Cleaners and the James Street Service Station.
Sam Butkovich, broker of record at RE/MAX Sault Ste. Marie Realty Inc. says the new owner is planning to initially upgrade the property, converting it to between 11 and 13 apartments.
Butkovich wasn't directly involved in the recent sale of the Diplomat but he has represented the buyer in other business matters.
He declined to name the new owner, but the motel's Facebook page says it's Markham-based North44 Property Management.
North44 owns 24 other properties in Toronto, London, Thunder Bay and Charlotte, North Carolina.
The firm was founded in 2006 to acquire the landmark Sheldrake Hotel in downtown Toronto.
In Sault Ste. Marie, it also owns the Goulais Apartments at 536 Goulais Avenue.
North 44's website lists three head offices, one of them at 844 Queen Street East - the Diplomat's address.
"They're just starting to get their feet wet here," Butkovich told SooToday.
The Diplomat is one of a small number of Sault addresses offering underground parking, which in the Diplomat's case is currently used for storing vintage automobiles.
Earlier this month, the new owner applied to Sault Ste. Marie's committee of adjustment, asking that a prohibition on ground-floor residential units there be lifted to allow two handicap-accessible apartments.
In 2011, scenes from the feature film Foxfire were shot at the motel.
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