The Element Hotel by Westin is scheduled to welcome visitors to Calgary in time for the 2025 Stampede
A number of projects are underway to convert vacant office space into residential units, but one conversion project will focus on a hotel. Element Hotel by Westin is the first hospitality project under the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program and work has begun in converting the Canadian Centre at 833 – 4 Ave. S.W. into 226 much-needed hotel suites.
The transformative project will see 170,000 square feet of unused office space repurposed to provide fully furnished, extended stay units in a prime location in Calgary’s west end, offering guests easy accessibility via transit, car, walking or biking along the Bow River pathway.
The building is owned by PBA Group of Companies. The Element Hotel is a partnership between the family-owned firm that has been a significant player in the city’s real estate industry since 1965 and Concord Hospitality of Raleigh, North Carolina — the same relationship that built the hugely successful The Dorian, the 27-storey, dual-brand Marriott Autograph Collection and Courtyard Marriott hotel on 5 Avenue S.W.
The Canadian Centre was built in 1982 and served for many years as the home of Mount Royal College before it relocated to its present campus site in Lincoln Park.
A 12-storey concrete construction, it is being gutted back to the walls and redesigned to offer a best-in-class model of flexible hospitality in the downtown market, embracing a nature-inspired aesthetic offering expansive studios and one-bedroom suites equipped with in-room kitchens and spa-inspired bathrooms.
Off the entrance area will be a modern, elevated lobby lounge and café for guests and passersby, offering specialty coffees using local and artisanal ingredients.
On the 12th floor, the hotel’s northwest facing corner will be transformed into an upscale restaurant giving diners pleasing views over to the Louise Bridge and Kensington area. The menu promises the finest ingredients from Alberta, featuring an elevated twist on dry-aged elements, shareables and bites, craft cocktails and local beers.
Space is being provided for a large banquet room and a number of well-appointed meeting rooms as well as a number of common areas. The Element brand pioneers a unique communal space known as Studio Commons centred around four guest rooms, allowing guests to gather, cook and unwind together with shared kitchen and living. Premium fitness equipment will be offered in a state-of-the-art fitness centre, but those with active lifestyles will also be able to enjoy the outdoors thanks to Element’s Priority Bicycles program allowing guests to borrow bicycles free of charge during their stay.
“PBA is honoured to help take one of the first steps in transforming our downtown into a differential residential and recreational district that serves as a symbol of progressive inner-city planning with the conversion,” says CEO Patricia Phillips. “We’re proud of our trusted partnership with Concord Hospitality and look forward to continuing the momentum with this novel conversion project, which will have a notable impact on the community.”
James Scott, senior vice president of planning and development, says converting an existing building means savings in the use of new concrete and other materials while the project is expected to divert 572,000 kg of demolition waste from landfills. Low-flow fixtures will help water conservation and vehicle charging stations will be installed in the 80-vehicle underground parkade.
“Coming off our first hotel development — The Dorian — this project brings a particular element of excitement to us at PBA as we look to create another dynamic, Calgary-centric property, but this time, in the west end where our company began its nearly 60-year history,” he said.
The Element Hotel by Westin is scheduled to welcome visitors to Calgary in time for the 2025 Stampede.
Looking ahead, Phillips says PBA, which owns some 800,000 square feet of hospitality, office and industrial properties in the city, remains committed to creating vibrant communities that both its partners and tenants take pride in calling home.
Notes:
Thousands of readers of this column have probably paddled, climbed and hiked over the 1,000 acres that are home to Camp Chief Hector YMCA. For over nine decade, the camp has taught skills such as problem solving, resilience, leadership and independence, as well as creating character-building memories.
As the camp approaches its centennial year, a capital campaign is underway, chaired by Adam Pekarsky of Humanis, to raise $17 million, to upgrade its Stay & Play environments. It’s a way for all alumni to give thanks to a meaningful program.
David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622.
