Construction Begins on New 12-Storey Hotel in The Quarters Downtown

June 29, 2012

Mayor Stephen Mandel joined developer Prem Singhmar to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new upscale hotel in The Quarters Downtown.

Located at 96 Street and Jasper Avenue, the 250,000 square foot hotel will be 12 storeys tall and feature 3 levels of underground parking. There will be main floor commercial space for boutiques and restaurants. A conference centre on the second floor will include a restaurant that extends 20 feet above Jasper Avenue and will overlook the river valley. The hotel will include 220 suites on floors 3 to 11 and corporate offices on the top floor.

Various hotel chains are still in discussions with the developer to finalize the franchise and assume the operations of the hotel. Scheduled for completion in spring of 2014, this unique development is part of a series of new projects slated for construction this year. 

“The City of Edmonton is proud to help launch construction on what will be a major catalyst project for The Quarters Downtown,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “Having Mr. Singhmar on board is a coup for our city. His expertise will create an elegant landmark that will attract visitors and be a source of pride for the neighbourhood and for the capital region. The Province’s approval of the CRL has allowed us to lay the groundwork for this and other new developments to enhance our downtown.”

The hotel development is a catalyst project in The Quarters Downtown—the culmination of sustained collaborative efforts by the developer and the City over several years. This project and other development opportunities in the area are the result of investments and incentives approved by City Council through The Quarters Downtown Community Revitalization Levy (CRL).

CRLs are a Government of Alberta financing mechanism designed to help municipalities revitalize areas without adding a significant tax burden to citizens.

Financing also come from The Quarters Downtown Borrowing Bylaw which allows the City to borrow $56 million for infrastructure improvements and other expenses to attract private sector investment in the area.

“The City of Edmonton has been an excellent partner in this venture,” said developer Prem Singhmar. “They encouraged interesting design concepts and helped coordinate the transfer and remediation of land and upgrading drainage and utility systems to handle the demands of new development in the area. This kind of partnership allows us to enhance the economic development of downtown Edmonton. I encourage other developers to follow me and be part of the exciting redevelopments now occurring in The Quarters.”

Designed by Gene Dub, the hotel features a distinctive entranceway with a jewel-like glass canopy. The front entrance has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding sidewalks and act as an attractive focal point for the intersection on which it stands.

 

For more information:

Mary Ann Debrinski

Housing & Economic Sustainability
Sustainable Development
11th floor, 10250 - 101 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 3P4

Title	Director, Urban Renewal
Telephone	780-442-4528
Fax	780-495-9916
Email	maryann.debrinski@edmonton.ca

Prem Singhmar

AUM Hotels

Telephone	780-699-0760