Ontario Construction News staff writer
PBA Group of Companies (PBA) and Concord Hospitality have started converting Calgary’s Canadian Centre, a 12-storey office building, into a 226-suite Element Hotel by Westin.
The building is a 12-floor, 170,000-sq. ft. office building constructed in 1982. PBA is converting the building’s existing office space and common areas into 226 fully appointed hotel suites, dining facilities and hotel guest amenities.
Demolition is completed, with construction now underway, and project completion slated for the summer of 2025. The project has diverted 572,000-kilograms of demolition waste from the landfill, which equates to 65 percent of the project’s total demolition waste.
“We’re honoured to help take one of the first steps in transforming our downtown into a differentiated residential and recreational district that serves as a symbol of progressive inner city planning with this conversion,” said James Scott, senior vice president, planning and development, PBA Group. “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 in the community.”
Announced in November as one of Calgary’s downtown office conversion partners, this is the first hospitality project in the Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program. It will remove 170,000 square feet of unused office space from the city’s core.
Through a sustainable, nature-inspired aesthetic, the hotel will have expansive studios and one-bedroom suites and pioneer a unique communal space known as Studio Commons, a concept promotes community by allowing guests to cook, gather and unwind together within shared kitchen and living room areas, fostering a sense of togetherness and relaxation.
“Coming off the success of our first hotel development, The Dorian, this project brings a particular level of excitement for us at PBA as we look to create another dynamic, Calgary-centric property, but this time, in the west end of downtown, where our company began its nearly 60-year history,” says Scott. “Projects like this will help inject vitality into the community and contribute to Calgary’s reputation as a global city.”
