An iconic brand that has survived for nearly a century across North America is set to become a part of Calgary’s only Art Moderne tower, continuing to build on another historic legacy for the city.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which has been located in the Calgary Tower, is set to make the move from 9 Avenue SE to 8 Avenue SW to become the new anchor tenant for the Barron Building.

When completed and opened to the public in 2026, the new restaurant will encompass 9,000 sq. ft. of the building’s main floor podium, with a classic look that reflects both the historic 1951 building and the legacy of the old Chophouse.

Tim Collins, a co-owner of Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Calgary, said that when the opportunity presented itself to become the anchor tenant, the group jumped at the opportunity.

“Obviously, very exciting for us. We’re thrilled to be a part of something that’s so iconic to Calgary,” he said.

“We have four owners in our little restaurant company, and we own Ruth’s Chris Calgary and Ruth’s Chris Edmonton, and we’re all from Alberta—born and raised for me. For sure, just being a part of the Calgary community in such an iconic location it’s such a privilege.”

The move from the Calgary Tower to the west end of Stephen Avenue, said Collins, moved the steakhouse from off the beaten path into a part of the downtown that is undergoing a lot of revitalization.

“Stephen Avenue has been iconic for a long time as well, but it’s a very small couple of blocks that really does well. Better than the rest of Stephen Ave, right? I do think that with more activity, more people moving downtown, more activity downtown, there’s, there’s reason to expand and to spread it at least another block or two,” he said.

“The West End, west side of where we’re going, it’s always been sort of the cut off to that vibrancy on Stephen Avenue, and obviously, we’re going invest huge money to help try to push out a little further west.”

With that investment will come something special for diners, said Collins.

“How could we not do something special in the building that we’re moving into? I mean, really, we’re going to keep the exterior to that sandstone look and that classic look of an older building,” he said.

Expanding on steak dining options for Calgarians

The interior of the Barron Building has been completely redone by the building’s owners, Strategic Group, and that afforded Ruth’s Chris Steak House an opportunity to do something different from its competitors.

“We’re going to do our best to design something that people are going to want to see. They’re going to want to go there for any occasion, birthday, anniversary, business meeting, and so forth. It’s great to go there for a few drinks or a full meal. So we’re excited about bringing a new life to a different style of steakhouse,” said Collins.

Ryan de Boer, Vice President of Leasing for Strategic Group, said that there was a push by the firm to land an anchor tenant, but also the right anchor tenant.

He said that additional retail space tenants would be announced later this year, and that they would complement Ruth’s Chris.

“Putting together the tenant mix is really the big first step for us, and then we should have an announcement shortly on who that second tenant is going to be,” he said.

de Boer said being able to fill the Barron Building with a similar offering to the previous Chophouse was a way to pay homage to the legacy of the building.

“Securing Ruth’s Chris as our anchor retail tenant, it’s just a major milestone for the Barron Building, and it demonstrates the confidence in both the project and just the viability of downtown, and that downtown is a destination again for Calgarians,” he said.

The location would also be a great amenity for residents of the Barron Building, and nearby locations as well, said de Boer.

“We’re going to be servicing all types of clientele. From young professionals to retirees to all sorts of demographics. But having a tenant of this calibre is obviously a draw and obviously a great amenity to not only to Barron tenants, it’s also going to be for the entire community at Stephen Avenue as well,” he said.

The move by Ruth’s Chris Steak House comes as there has been a resurgence in the restaurant industry for steakhouses, with numerous new steakhouses being opened by celebrity chefs internationally and more local rebrandings at home.

Collins said that the traditional steakhouse could be boring for diners, but that more and more were doing the steakhouse model better.

“You’re not going to change the traditional meat: A tenderloin, a ribeye, or New York. How you’re preparing, it’s what makes you special. What kind of quality of meats you’re buying, and what are you doing differently than everybody else,” he said.