'Got to be bold': $1.2-billion hotel project will see construction of Calgary's next two tallest towers
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Officials from Marriott International, Louson Investments Ltd., Calgary-based home developer Truman and Calgary Municipal Land Corp. unveiled renderings Wednesday for the 69-storey W Calgary tower and the 62-storey JW Marriott Calgary luxury. The properties would be built on a city-owned parking lot across Macleod Trail from the Victoria Park-Stampede LRT station.
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The $1.2-billion, mixed-use high-rises will include more than 400 hotel rooms and 360 residential units, a short walk from the BMO Centre and Calgary Stampede grounds.
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The pair of towers would not only take over Brookfield Place and The Bow as Calgary's tallest skyscrapers, but would be two of the tallest buildings in western Canada. They'll also be the city's first towers that combine hotel rooms and residences.
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Tony Trutina, Truman's chief operating officer, called the initiative an 'unprecedented' privately-led real estate investment in Calgary, and argued the two towers will help reshape the downtown skyline.
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'To be great, you've got to be bold,' he told reporters after the announcement. 'We can't just come in here and do what's been done before. We've got to raise expectations, raise the bar.'
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Pending city and council approval of the properties' rezoning and development permit applications, Trutina said construction would hopefully begin next year, with the towers opening in 2029 and 2030, respectively.
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While Trutina acknowledged the W Calgary and JW Marriott Calgary could be scaled down pending the results of public consultation, he said the intention is to build the towers as envisioned.
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'We're set in the right zone for the city that allows the density to do it,' he said.
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'Density-wise, we'll work with administration to make sure that we get what we need to make the project successful.'
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The W Calgary tower would feature 157 guest rooms, including 27 suites, and 239 branded residences. Other amenities would include a 7,500 sq. ft. spa, a specialty restaurant, more than 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a rooftop bar and observation deck. Residents would have access to a dedicated private entrance.
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The smaller of the towers, the JW Marriott Calgary, would feature 258 guest rooms and 120 residences, as well as 32,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, and indoor and outdoor pool and a curated retail area.
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Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
'Apoplectic:' Competition Bureau drops probe into U.S. company's sightseeing dominance in Banff/Jasper
The Jasper sky tram was bought by American company Photo supplied by Jasper tourism A federal competition regulator's decision to drop its probe into an American company's dominance of the Banff-Jasper sightseeing market appears to be Canada caving to the U.S. amid an ongoing tariff war, says a businessman who pushed for the investigation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Competition Bureau of Canada last year launched an investigation into Colorado-based VIAD's acquisition of the Jasper SkyTram that was approved by Parks Canada in the summer of 2024. The purchase pushed the company's market share of the sightseeing sector in Banff and Jasper national parks to more than 90 per cent. In a letter to Adam Waterous, owner of Mt. Norquay ski resort, the bureau said it could find no evidence that the acquisition noticeably exacerbates domination of the privately operated tourist attraction in Canada's two most-visited national parks. 'Based on the information obtained by the Bureau, it does not appear the acquisition has resulted or is likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition,' states the April 30 letter. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Accordingly . . . I am writing to inform you that the commissioner has discontinued the inquiry.' VIAD, through its subsidiary Pursuit, operates the Banff Gondola at Sulphur Mountain, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Jasper's Maligne Lake Cruise and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, which comprise the lion's share of that market of paid attractions. It also owns Brewster Express bus line and 10 hotels throughout those parks (two are in Banff), while also operating the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park. Since 2011, Parks Canada has approved VIAD's applications for one new sightseeing attraction, an expansion of a tourist venue, eight hotel purchases and one hotel construction, which boosted the company's share of the market from 50 per cent to 85 per cent, said Waterous . This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. At the same time, Parks Canada has repeatedly turned down Norquay's bid to build a gondola from the Banff townsite to its ski hill, insisting the plan was ' found not to be feasible due to non-conformance with key park policy and legislation. ' Unfair treatment appeases U.S. trade war says ski hill owner Waterous said the competition bureau's refusal to address what he calls an obviously unfair and detrimental monopoly is an abdication of its role and smacks of Ottawa seeking to avoid inflaming a trade war instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump. 'Canadians are going to be apoplectic that the federal government is not prepared to challenge an American monopoly in the national parks,' Waterous said Monday, adding the move is akin to Ottawa's decision last month to nix its digital sales tax (DST) at the insistence of the U.S. amid tariff wrangling. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This tariff war we're in is causing the federal government not to enforce regulations they normally would . . . its like the DST — things are being put on the shelf.' Waterous said it appears the competition bureau is reluctant to take action that would effectively criticize Parks Canada's decision to approve VIAD's acquisition of the Jasper SkyTram. The businessman said he spoke with a competition bureau official several weeks ago who 'explicitly told me they respect the decisions of other agencies and don't want to embarrass other (government) departments,' he said. He also said that official told him it's up to consumers to vote with their feet if they're feel they're faced with an unfair monopoly in the national parks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'They determined visitors have alternatives — you don't have to go to Banff or Jasper . . . if you do, you can just go to a restaurant instead,' said Waterous. 'But the bureau never says there's not a monopoly there.' Waterous and the owners of Sunshine Village and Lake Louise ski resorts — who operate summer chair lifts — argue VIAD's ability to offer discounts on package deals magnifies a monopoly that unfairly funnels business away from them. The view of the Banff townsite and Sanson's Peak from the Banff Gondola's observation deck on the fourth floor of the upper terminal. Daniel Katz/Postmedia file The say that monopoly has also allowed the American firm to dramatically hike prices on attractions like its marquee offering, the Banff Gondola, while also contending it drives much of the negative traffic congestion in Banff town. On its website, VIAD has said the $25-million purchase of the Jasper SkyTram adds an attraction to its inventory that in 2023 drew 130,000 visitors. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We will benefit from its deep competitive moat, economies of scale and scope, and the strong perennial demand for this iconic destination,' company president Steve Moster said in a statement in June 2024. The term ' competitive moat ' shows VIAD acknowledges its competitive invulnerability, says Waterous. In an email, competition bureau spokeswoman Sarah Brown reiterated the agency's investigation didn't uncover any violations. 'After careful review, the Bureau found that there was inadequate evidence to conclude that the transaction contravenes the merger provisions of the Competition Act,' she stated, adding its decisions aren't associated with any other government body. 'Our independence is core to the delivery of our mandate . . . when the bureau finds evidence that a transaction contravenes the Competition Act we take appropriate action.' BKaufmann@ X: @BillKaufmannjrn Editorial Cartoons NFL Golf NHL World
Calgary Herald
an hour ago
- Calgary Herald
TikTok Urgently Pitches Canada Security Solution to Avoid Shutdown
Article content (Bloomberg) — TikTok is trying to talk with Canada about security solutions that would spare the popular video app from a looming order to shut operations in the country. Article content So far, its pleas have fallen on deaf ears, said Steve de Eyre, director of TikTok's government affairs for Canada, in an interview. 'We are still looking to get to the table,' he said. Article content Article content TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance Ltd., started this month to freeze spending on cultural programs and sponsorships, following a November directive to close its Canadian unit, which cited national security concerns. TikTok would still be available on app stores for Canadians to use after the shutdown. Article content Article content 'Time is running out,' de Eyre said, though the company declined to share its deadline. TikTok has challenged the order in court. Article content Article content TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Zi Chew wrote to Industry Minister Melanie Joly on July 2 requesting an urgent in-person meeting within the next two weeks. Article content According to a copy of the letter seen by Bloomberg, he wrote: 'The windup process is rapidly approaching a critical juncture where, unless you intervene, TikTok will be forced to fire all of its Canadian employees' as well as halting investment and support for creators. Article content De Eyre confirmed the contents of the letter, and said the company hasn't yet received an official response. The Industry Ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Article content In other countries where it's faced concerns, TikTok has set up systems to fence off user data to prevent it from being sent to China. These were dubbed Project Texas in the US and Project Clover in the EU. Article content Article content Asked if TikTok has pitched Canada an equivalent like 'Project Maple,' de Eyre said: 'Maybe it would be Project Maple. But we need to sit down, understand the concerns that Canada has, and we want to build a solution that would provide greater data security, greater oversight and accountability where there are these concerns.' Article content In the UK, TikTok hired a British firm to audit its data controls and protections to allay concerns. Article content Right now, TikTok says it stores Canadian user data in the US, Ireland, Singapore and Malaysia. The company said it paid C$340 million ($248 million) in Canadian tax from 2019 to 2024, employs about 350 people across Toronto and Vancouver, and has 14 million Canadian users. Article content 'We've had people who have unfortunately left for other opportunities because of this order being out there, and we haven't been able to rehire for those roles because of the order,' de Eyre said.
Calgary Herald
2 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
'Apoplectic:' Competition Bureau drops probe into U.S. company's sightseeing dominance in Banff/Jasper
A federal competition regulator's decision to drop its probe into an American company's dominance of the Banff-Jasper sightseeing market appears to be Canada caving to the U.S. amid an ongoing tariff war, says a businessman who pushed for the investigation. Article content The Competition Bureau of Canada last year launched an investigation into Colorado-based VIAD's acquisition of the Jasper SkyTram that was approved by Parks Canada in the summer of 2024. The purchase pushed the company's market share of the sightseeing sector in Banff and Jasper National Parks to more than 90 per cent. Article content Article content Article content In a letter to Adam Waterous, owner of Mt. Norquay ski resort, the bureau said it could find no evidence that the acquisition noticeably exacerbates domination of the privately-operated tourist attraction in Canada's two most-visited national parks. Article content Article content 'Based on the information obtained by the Bureau, it does not appear the acquisition has resulted or is likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition,' states the April 30 letter. Article content 'Accordingly…I am writing to inform you that the commissioner has discontinued the inquiry.' Article content VIAD through its subsidiary Pursuit operates the Banff Gondola at Sulphur Mountain, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Jasper's Maligne Lake Cruise and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, which comprise the lion's share of that market of paid attractions. Article content It owns Brewster Express bus line and 10 hotels throughout those parks (two are in Banff), while also operating the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park. Article content Article content Since 2011, Parks Canada has approved VIAD's applications for one new sightseeing attraction, an expansion of a tourist venue, eight hotel purchases and one hotel construction, which had boosted the company's share of the market from 50 per cent to 85 per cent, said Waterous. Article content At the same time, Parks Canada has repeatedly turned down Norquay's bid to build a gondola from the Banff townsite to its ski hill, insisting the plan was 'found not to be feasible due to non-conformance with key park policy and legislation.' Article content Waterous said the competition bureau's refusal to address what he calls an obviously unfair and detrimental monopoly is an abdication of its role and smacks of Ottawa seeking to avoid inflaming a trade war instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Article content 'Canadians are going to be apoplectic that the federal government is not prepared to challenge an American monopoly in the national parks,' Waterous said Monday, adding the move is akin to Ottawa's decision last month to nix its digital sales tax (DST) at the insistence of the U.S. amid tariff wrangling.
