It was the ceremonial beginning to the major redevelopment of east downtown – as the sod was turned on a new multi-million dollar hotel and office building.
The 12 storey building on Jasper Avenue and 96 Street is the first major development expected to rejuvenate the Quarters neighbourhood.
The 250,000 square foot building will feature commercial space on the main floor, and the second floor will feature a conference centre and a restaurant extending 20 feet above Jasper Avenue.
Except for the top floor, which will feature corporate offices, the hotel will boast 220 suites.
“We’re working on the arts half, which hopefully will get started soon,” Mandel said. “There’s a high-rise condominium apartment building we’ll be working on right away.
“I think the city needs to be more proactive in what we do down here too, to create the demand.”
“There’s no hotel that’s been built in the downtown for the last 20 years,” Developer Prem Singhmar said. “So we’ll be probably the first hotel.
“There’s a lot of responsibility on us that we do a great job, we’re looking forward to that.”
The $45 million project is slated for completion in 2014.
With files from Veronica Jubinville
