Airdrie residents hosting out-of-town guests for Stampede, concerts, or conventions may soon have a new option just steps from the chucks.
The Calgary Stampede and Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) have signed a $330-million agreement with Alberta-based developer Truman to build a 13-storey hotel at the west entrance of the park.
According to the partners, it will be the first full-service, convention-oriented hotel constructed in Calgary's downtown in 25 years.
"This is an exceptional location for a hotel," said Truman chief operating officer Tony Trutina. "Guests will just stay steps away from the action of The Culture + Entertainment District — whether it's a convention, meeting or event held in the BMO Centre, a hockey game in Scotia Place, a concert in The Big Four Roadhouse, or the Calgary Stampede's annual celebration of Western heritage and community spirit each July."
The hotel will sit on an 85,000-square-foot parcel along the new 17 Avenue S.E. extension. According to the release, the site "unlocked the potential" of the area and created a new hospitality anchor for the emerging district.
Plans call for 320 guest rooms, 15,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space, 14,000 square feet of food and beverage space, a rooftop lounge, a south-facing terrace with an activity pool and outdoor bar, and an indoor pool and fitness centre.
A purchase and sale agreement is now in place between Truman and the Calgary Stampede. A hotel brand partner has not been named, but the Stampede and Truman said the operator will be announced in the coming months.
"CMLC and the Calgary Stampede are proud to partner with Truman, who bring more than 40 years of exceptional building experience in Calgary to this much-anticipated hotel development right at the front door to Stampede Park," said CMLC president Kate Thompson.
"Hotel development has been a key priority for CMLC and the Calgary Stampede, and we've seen development interest in The District surge with the completion of the BMO Centre expansion, the groundbreaking of Scotia Place, and the opening of the new 17 Ave S.E. extension," she said. "Partnerships and development investments like this one are an indication of industry confidence and enthusiasm for our shared vision for this district."
The project will be designed by NORR Architecture (Chicago), Scatliff+Miller+Murray (Calgary), and CivicWorks (Calgary). According to the partners, the building's curved design draws inspiration from the "movement of a bucking horse" and the "curvature of Flores LaDue Parade and the expanded BMO Centre."
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with hotel opening targeted for late 2028.
Since the expanded BMO Centre opened in June 2024, it has hosted 409 events. An additional 205 major events are booked through 2032.
The Stampede's release states the BMO Centre is now projected to contribute more than $250 million annually to Canada's GDP, with the majority supporting Alberta's economy.
Joel Cowley, chief executive officer of the Calgary Stampede, said the hotel project will enhance the city's ability to attract high-value guests.
"Not only will this new hotel further strengthen our competitive advantage and help draw more visitors to the BMO Centre, Stampede Park, the Culture + Entertainment District and Calgary," Cowley said, "but it will also build on the world-class experience guests receive when visiting."
"When guests stay at the hotel, they will receive the highest level of Western hospitality that Calgary is known for, through a thoughtful, quality-built project by Truman," he said.
Truman has also purchased a second development parcel at 15 Avenue and Macleod Trail. Planning for that project is underway, with details to be released at a later date.
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