Calgary developer Truman is set to open its first hotel in Calgary, with a 320-room boutique hotel located on Stampede Park next to the BMO Centre.

The hotel development deal was announced by Truman, the Calgary Stampede, and the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation on June 6.

When complete, the hotel will be the first full-service, convention-designed hotel built in Calgary in the 21st century.

Tony Trutina, Chief Operating Officer of Truman, said that the deal to develop a hotel came together with lightning speed, owing to the success of the BMO Centre.

“I think the impetus is on us and the City of Calgary, CMLC, and the Stampede to try and make this happen—so safe to say, ultra fast,” Trutina said.

“It’s a 100 per cent no-brainer. All I got to do is point [at the BMO Centre]. It makes it very easy decision to want to put the investment into the plans behind us here for sure.”

The $330 million development deal involved Truman purchasing the Weadickville lands in between the Big Four Building and Flores Ladue Parade along Macleod Trail.

Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede, said that 1.8 acre site became the property of the Stampede as a result of the Calgary Event Centre deal.

He said that with the City of Calgary permission, they were able to then sell that land to Truman for the development of the hotel.

“The number one criterion when meeting planners decide where to take their convention, it’s suitability of hotels. It’s the location of those hotels within close walking distance. It’s the quality of the hotels. This hotel will meet both of those,” Cowley said.

“We’re blessed to have a number of fantastic hotels here in Calgary, but none are truly within easy walking distance, and so this hotel, being across the street from the expanded BMO Center, steps away from the action during the Calgary Stampede, not a very far walk from Scotia Place, it will just greatly enhance the experience that guests have here on park.”

He said that the Truman-owned hotel would be a key piece in marketing to conventions, offering a place where convention staff, key sponsors, and delegates could stay on site.

Expanded food, beverage, and ballroom options

Trutina said that as part of the vision for the hotel, it would provide 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting and ballroom space, 14,000 sq. ft. of food and beverage options including a restaurant, lobby bar, coffee shop, and a rooftop lounge.

A south-facing leisure terrace would feature a pool in the shape of Truman founder George Trutina’s signature mustache.

“To bring this hotel to life, we’ve partnered with an international hotel operator, and we’ll share more about those details soon,” said Trutina.

“Truman is committed to the vision of Stampede Park, the Culture and Entertainment District, so much so that just steps from here we’ve purchased another site on 15 Avenue and Macleod Trail. We’re in the development planning stages, and we look forward to sharing more details about that project very soon.”

The design of the hotel is being spearheaded by NORR Architecture from Chicago, along with Scatliff+Miller+Murray and CivicWorks in Calgary.

Trutina said the design of the hotel would be a curved, drawing inspiration from the movements of the bucking horse, alongside the unique curved design of Flores Ladue Parade.

Kate Thompson, CEO of CMLC, said the addition of the hotel was an important milestone in the development of the Culture and Entertainment District.

“I think it’s really, really important to stand and look where we are today and think back where we were five years ago and where we’re going to be in five years from now,” she said.

Thompson pointed to the completion of the BMO Centre expansion in 2024, the completion of the 17 Avenue Extension, the completion of the new Victoria Park/Stampede LRT Station, and the construction beginning on the Calgary Event Centre as examples of movement.

The development of the western edge of Stampede Park would have impacts on visitors to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, said Thompson.

“There’ll be an impact, but we’ll manage it with a lot of collaboration with our partners,” she said.

“I think the team, both Calgary Stampede and CMLC have really worked to effectively inform Calgarians about what the what the change, the short-term pain, will mean for the long-term gain. Yes, construction has an impact on those around you, but I would argue that the $500 million convention centre that was built within a couple Stampedes during construction, and we’ll make it happen.”

Hotels an important part in getting convention business

Currently in Calgary, there are more than a thousand hotel rooms being built in the downtown, according to Calgary Hotel Association.

Alisha Reynolds, CEO of Tourism Calgary, said that the addition of the new Truman hotel, along with other hotels opening like Element Hotel by Westin, were a sign of healthy investment into the city.

“This level of investment in our city is a signal of positivity, optimism and belief in the Calgary that we’re all building together, hotel development on these grounds, specifically, is also a sign of confidence in our dream to be Canada’s leading convention destination,” she said.

“At Tourism Calgary, our role is to attract sports, culture, major events, meetings and conventions to Calgary. We promote Calgary as a destination of choice, and it’s absolutely easier for us to do that work with this level of investment being made in Calgary, for us to have this quality of product and more.”