To add on to this...
Went to the architect's website to get an idea what we might see from them on this project.
Best thing I could find was their work on the Omni Nashville Hotel, granted it's an 800 room hotel versus the minimum 220 they're talking about here. Looks like there's some kind of pedestrian street off of it and you can see some street-level activation with a 3-4 story podium. I think this is what we'll get since they mentioned additional meeting spaces (good luck to the TELUS convention centre).
I also read through a
Live Wire article on the project.
Interesting comment from the hospitality companies president about the city's investment in the Glenbow, Arts Common and parks.
"Michael Garcia said that as a company they look to what is happening within a community, and within Calgary they liked the direction that the city is taking on the BMO Centre, the expansion and redevelopment of theatres and art spaces, and the investments into parks and improvements for people's way of living."
On the Events Centre I'm sure the city has given him a wink.
"We feel like there's enough in this market for sustainability of the hotel, but hands down, we hope that happens"
Meanwhile the Stampede says BMO has conventions booked 5 years out but this might get more.
'"We have over 20 conventions booked post-opening at this point, and that extends through 2028. We have others that have indicated that they want (the) hotel before they book here."
Interestingly the article says a convention hotel is about convention staff and not attendees, I wouldn't have expected that. Stampede also said there could be other hotels on the grounds too.
CMLC say they've been talking with the Stampede and Matthews Southwest Hospitality since 2019! So I'm sure there might be another partner that the CMLC identified in their hotel RFP. Wonder where that one might go, Big Four, NW parking lot?
