This week, Calgary-based real estate developer Truman and hospitality giant Marriott International announced plans for a group of new hotels that are "poised to transform the hospitality landscape in Calgary and will debut as part of a dynamic mixed-use development ideally situated within the city's rapidly evolving Culture + Entertainment District."
The first is the 69-storey W Calgary that will include 157 guest rooms and 239 branded residences. Guests of the hotel will have access to amenities such as a 7,500 sq. ft AWAY Spa, 16,259 sq. ft of meeting space, the W brand's signature Living Room, expansive FIT studio, and a rooftop bar. Residents will also have access to the amenities, in addition to a dedicated private entrance. The W Calgary is expected to open in 2029.
The second is the adjacent 62-storey JW Marriott Calgary that will include 248 guest rooms and 120 branded residences, each of which will be "meticulously designed to embody the brand's world-class approach to well-being and luxury hospitality." Both guests and residents will have access to 32,500 sq. ft of meeting space, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, the brand's signature JW Market, a tranquil JW Garden, a curated retail area, and more. The JW Marriott is expected to open in 2030.
Both hotels are set for 232 15 Avenue SE, a corner site located at the intersection of 15 Avenue SE and Macleod Trail SE, directly across the street from Victoria Park / Stampede Station and the BMO Centre. The property is currently a large vacant lot being used as a parking lot, and has an assessed value of $9,590,000.
The announcement comes exactly a month after Truman and the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) announced plans for a new 13-storey hotel with 320 guest rooms at the southeast corner of 17 Avenue SE and Macleod Trail SE, immediately south of BMO Centre. In this week's announcement, Truman said this hotel will be under Marriott's Autograph Collection Hotel brand and will include 15,000 sq. ft of meeting and event space, several restaurants, a lobby bar, coffee shop, rooftop lounge, leisure terrace, jacuzzi, swimming pool, outdoor bar, and fitness club. The Autograph Collection Hotel is expected to open in 2028.
An overview of the Calgary's Culture + Entertainment District and the forthcoming hotels. / Truman, Louson
Truman will be developing all three hotels with its joint venture partner Louson and the two new hotels announced this week are set to be two of Western Canada's tallest residential towers and will together "redefine luxury in the city, offering elevated living and travel experiences in the city."
HOTEL TIMELINE
- The Autograph Collection Hotel is expected to open in 2028
- The W Calgary is expected to open in 2029
- The JW Marriott is expected to open in 2030
"We are incredibly excited to announce our newest hotel development right here in our hometown of Calgary," said Tony Trutina, Chief Operating Officer of Truman. "Truman and Louson, as Calgary-based and family-owned companies, have a deep commitment to this city, and we believe this project will be a significant catalyst for the local economy. Beyond creating numerous construction jobs, these hotels are expected to generate substantial long-term employment opportunities, boost tourism, and support local businesses through increased visitor spending. We are immensely proud to invest further in Calgary's future and contribute to its vibrant growth."
"As Marriott continues to expand our hospitality options in Canada to meet the diverse needs of guests, owners and developers, W Calgary, JW Marriott Calgary, and the Autograph Collection Hotel are poised to usher in an unparalleled level of hospitality to this high- energy city," added Paul Cahill, Chief Operating Officer, Canada, Marriott International. "We are thrilled to closely collaborate with Truman and Louson, whose combined passion and love for Calgary will be a perfect complement to the elevated service that guests have come to expect from the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio."
A rendering of the W Calgary and JW Marriott (left), Autograph Collection Hotel (centre), and all three hotels (right). / Truman, Louson
Calgary's Culture + Entertainment District
The new hotels continue the City of Calgary's efforts to solidify its Culture + Entertainment District, after the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and Calgary Stampede unveiled a 20-year master-plan vision in 2018 to transform east Victoria Park into a vibrant high-density neighbourhood with over 4 million sq. ft of new mixed-use development and 8,000 new residents.
So far, the CMLC has invested more than $650 million into foundational infrastructure and city-building projects, including the completion of the $500 million expansion of the BMO Centre in June 2024. Since then, the 17 Avenue SE Extension and Victoria Park / Stampede Station Rebuild have also been completed.
"Our shared vision for The Culture + Entertainment District as a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood is coming to life, with more than $2B in city-building infrastructure and cultural destinations completed or underway," said Kate Thompson, President and CEO of CMLC in this week's announcement. "As we knew it would, our city's public investment in the C+E is now attracting significant private interest and investment, bringing forward the hotels, residences and commercial spaces envisioned in the master plan that will, critically, support the needs of meetings, conventions and major events taking place in The District."
According to the press release, that private investment will total to $1.47 billion from Truman and Louson, which will not only deliver over 700 premium hotel rooms and 360 branded residences, but also support over 9,100 jobs during construction and over 2,000 ongoing jobs after completion. Truman says it also expects the three projects to generate over $120 million in GDP from hotel operations, an additional $111 million from visitor spending, as well as $76 million in government revenue.
