Triple One Properties Limited identified an opportunity to build a hotel on a unique infill site in the downtown core of Calgary, AB to introduce much-needed guest accommodations at compelling price points for business and pleasure travelers. The vision is to create a hotel featuring Kohler branded guestrooms that will add to the neighborhood diversity and vitality in the predominant destination for business, retail, entertainment and culture. Currently in pre-construction, the 16-story, 156-room hotel will fly the Hampton Inn by Hilton banner.
To realize the vision, NORR worked collaboratively with Triple One and a geographically diverse team of consultants to conceptualize a design that considered the hotel brand, guest demographics, site constraints and opportunities, and entitlements as provided by jurisdictional permissions. The dynamic qualities of the urban setting are recognized by the way the hotel program integrates the public and resident guest experience. This includes design features such as the street level facetted building elements that communicate the hotel’s image, animate the streetscape and form the protected and welcoming pathway to the main entrance. The design also incorporates accessible glazed connections to the +15 walkways, a retail storefront and views that extend from the guestrooms and penthouse level common amenities to connect to the neighboring array of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings.
The site and design strategy were shaped by several inventive solutions employed to solve planning challenges presented on a narrow 50-foot parcel of land. The design managed functional and formal requirements such as pedestrian and vehicular access by introducing a one-way porte-cochere and provides a managed underground parking solution comprised of triple-high vehicle stackers serviced by a car lift. To make way for the new development, an existing two-story building was demolished to ready the site for construction.