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Crews Start Tearing Down Sault Ste. Marie’s Abandoned Hospital
After sitting vacant for nearly 15 years, demolition of Sault Ste. Marie’s former General Hospital is finally underway.
Crews began tearing down the exterior of the long-abandoned building this week, marking the first major progress on a site that has become one of the city’s most visible eyesores.
The hospital closed in 2012 and quickly deteriorated, drawing repeated break-ins, smashed windows, and hundreds of calls to police and bylaw officers. City officials say the property had become a major source of frustration for residents and anyone entering the downtown from the east.
In 2024, the City of Sault Ste. Marie purchased the property for $4.75 million before selling it to two local developers.
Ruscio Construction bought the former Renal Building, while Green Infrastructure Projects (GIP) acquired the rest of the site for $1 in exchange for covering the multi-million-dollar demolition costs.
Before exterior demolition could begin, GIP removed more than 4,000 tonnes of debris and asbestos from inside the building. The company must now complete the full teardown by October, submit a redevelopment master plan within three years, and apply for building permits within five.
City officials say the property’s elevation and waterfront views make it a strong candidate for new residential or mixed-use development. The city expects to recover its investment within six to twelve years.
