New Hotel Breaks Ground in East Village

CMLC celebrates groundbreaking for another new East Village hotel

Group Germain Hotels and Homes by Avi begin construction on $40 million co-developed hospitality project

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) – the organization leading the unstoppable redevelopment of East Village and the Rivers District – gathered today with development partners Group Germain Hotels and Homes by Avi Group of Companies to break ground for a new Alt Hotel at the corner of Confluence Way and 6th Avenue SE.

Building on the success of Le Germain Hotel Calgary at the corner of Centre Street and 9th Avenue SW – their first hospitality project in Calgary – Québec City’s Group Germain Hotels has partnered with local builder Homes by Avi to deliver the $40 million Alt Hotel project that will begin welcoming guests in 2018.

“The decision to forge full steam ahead with this project while Calgary’s economy is still struggling to recover is a testament to the developers’ confidence in CMLC’s vision to transform East Village into a vibrant and thriving destination at the heart of downtown Calgary’s east end – a vision that’s materializing rapidly thanks to the foresight and commitment of all our development partners,” says Michael Brown, CMLC’s president and CEO.

“East Village is buzzing with activity, and it’s quickly evolving into a robust neighbourhood that visitors will want to spend time in”, says Hugo Germain, director of development of Group Germain Hotels. “Guests who have grown to love Le Germain Hotel Calgary will recognize some signature elements at its new sister property, as Alt Hotel Calgary will offer cutting-edge design, ultra-comfortable beds and helpful staff. Affordability is a hallmark of our brand: Alt Hotels embody an innovative ‘no-frills chic’ concept that offers today’s traveller modern design and eco-friendly features at a surprisingly affordable price.”

The 11-storey hotel will offer 155 pet-friendly rooms and 5,000 square feet of meeting space. Designed by LEMAYMICHAUD Architecture Design, the Alt will be a colourful designer hotel with plenty of natural light throughout the building, including all meeting space. Its large, loft-style windows will delight guests with stunning views of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, downtown Calgary and many of the amenities and activities that have turned the formerly downtrodden neighbourhood into one of Calgary’s most compelling destinations. The lobby will face RiverWalk Plaza and St. Patrick’s Island park.

The first phase of the project will be three levels of underground parking. Construction of the parking structure will be managed by Homes by Avi Group of Companies, a partner in the development.

“We’re proud to play a part in advancing CMLC’s vision for this diverse and vibrant neighbourhood,” says Naum Shteinbah, vice president, business development & financing of Homes by Avi. “We were an early believer in the redevelopment concept and diligent in our search for an appropriate development partner. The strength of Group Germain Hotels lies in the great reputation of its brands and the value it brings to each of its properties nationwide. These are the two vitally important characteristics that also define how we’ve done business in Calgary for 38 years. We look forward to a successful partnership in the continuing evolution of East Village.”

“By developing a three-story parkade beneath a new Alt Hotel in East Village, Group Germain Hotels and Homes by Avi support their desire to offer high-quality hotel accommodation along with a parkade structure under separate ownership that provides parking both for the hotel’s needs and for visitors and residents in the area. The parkade will also help address East Village’s transitional parking needs as surface parking lots are redeveloped to more intensive uses,” adds Susan Veres, senior vice president, strategy & business development at CMLC.

After Homes by Avi completes the parkade – a construction program expected to take approximately 10 to 12 months – Group Germain Hotels will begin above-ground construction of the hotel building.

Another CMLC partner, Widewaters Group, is currently completing a dual-branded Hilton Hotel project in East Village that is scheduled to open later this year.