CASE STUDY
OFFICE TO HOTEL Calgary office building transformed into Element Hotel by Westin to address vacancy and boost local market BY STACEY NEWMAN
PBA Group of Companies, along with Concord Hospitality, has begun work to transform a downtown Calgary office building into the Element Hotel by Westin, aiming to address high office vacancy rates and add new accommodation options in the city’s core.
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PBA Group of Companies is taking steps to address Calgary’s downtown office vacancy problem with a new project that will convert an underused office building into a hotel. The 12-storey building, previously known as the Canadian Centre at 833 4th Ave SW, is being redeveloped into the Element Hotel by Westin, a 226-suite facility with extended-stay rooms, communal spaces, and various modern amenities. This conversion is part of Calgary’s broader strategy to rejuvenate its downtown, which has been dealing with high office vacancy rates and economic shifts.
Downtown Development Incentive Program, which aims to reduce office vacancies and drive investment into the core.
James Scott, senior vice president of planning and development at PBA Group, describes the project as a significant step in creating a more mixeduse downtown: “We’re honoured to help take one of the first steps in transforming our downtown into a differentiated residential and recreational district that serves as a symbol of progressive inner-city planning with this conversion.”
The Element Hotel will offer extended-stay units with fully equipped kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms, and other amenities to attract both business and leisure travellers. The project aims to cater to a diverse mix of visitors and provide more flexible accommodation options downtown.
Calgary’s office market has faced challenges in recent years due to fluctuating demand and changes in the local economy. The Element Hotel project removes 170,000 square feet of vacant office space from the market, reflecting a growing trend where developers repurpose commercial properties into residential or hospitality uses. This is the first hotel project to be part of Calgary’s
The hotel is designed with features aimed to set it apart from traditional accommodations. The “Studio Commons” concept will offer a set of four guest rooms grouped around a shared kitchen and living area, allowing groups of travellers to stay together more easily and
Photo renderings of Element by Westin Hotel Suite, PBA Group of Companies.