Canton Weighs Demolition of Historic Ritz Hotel Apartments

Building officials say the long-vacant structure is beyond saving after years of neglect.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Canton Building and Code Department is seeking City Council's approval to demolish the historic Ritz Hotel Apartments, a once-luxurious apartment building constructed in the 1920s. Multiple attempts to restore the building have failed, and the property was declared unfit for occupancy in 2024 due to over 20 code violations. The city acquired the property in 2025 after the previous owners donated it, but Mayor William V. Sherer II estimates it would cost $8 million to $11 million to revive the building.

Why it matters

The Ritz Hotel Apartments was once a symbol of upscale living in Canton, but decades of neglect have left the historic structure in a state of disrepair. The city's decision to demolish the building marks the end of an era and raises questions about the preservation of the city's architectural heritage.

The details

Building officials say the Ritz's interior has been stripped and deteriorated due to years of exposure through a failing roof and broken windows. It would need extensive renovations, including new plumbing, electrical systems, walls, and finishes. A developer bought the Ritz in 2020 and began a $2 million renovation, but a funding dispute stalled progress, and the property went into foreclosure in 2023.

  • The Ritz Hotel Apartments was constructed in the 1920s.
  • A developer bought the Ritz in 2020 and began a $2 million renovation.
  • The property went into foreclosure in 2023.
  • The building was declared unfit for occupancy in 2024.
  • Canton acquired the property in September of 2025.

The players

Canton Building and Code Department

The department that is seeking City Council's approval to demolish the Ritz Hotel Apartments.

William V. Sherer II

The mayor of Canton who met with community partners and determined that it would cost an estimated $8 million to $11 million to revive the Ritz Hotel Apartments.

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What they’re saying

“I would love to save the building and do everything in my power to save that, but I also don't want to see it sit there for another 25 years the way it is, and it's been sitting that way for the last 30.”

— William V. Sherer II, Mayor (The Repository)

What’s next

If City Council approves the demolition, the process could begin as soon as late March or early April, depending on the weather.

The takeaway

The potential demolition of the historic Ritz Hotel Apartments highlights the ongoing challenge of preserving the architectural heritage of Canton's downtown, as the city must balance the cost of reviving aging structures with the need to address public safety concerns and blight.