The message is clear: Calgary is open for business. But this time, it’s not coming from oil and gas — it’s strategic investments in Calgary’s new Culture + Entertainment District.
“Our commitment to Calgary is long-term and unwavering,” said Tony Trutina, chief operating officer of award-winning building company Truman, at a groundbreaking ceremony held at BMO Centre on Jan. 9, 2026.
Construction is officially underway for a new 14-storey, 320-key hotel, which will be the first of three planned hotel projects in Calgary’s revitalized Culture + Entertainment District (formerly Stampede Park).
“Since announcing this hotel in June of last year, we’ve also unveiled plans for two additional hotels just across the street — the W and JW Marriott — both of which are currently moving through the regulatory process,” continued Trutina at the event. “These three hotels combined will help solidify Calgary’s reputation as a truly international destination and will add immensely to the hotel offerings that discerning travellers have come to expect.”
It’s the result of strategic collaboration amongst an impressive number of key stakeholders and investors — including the Calgary Stampede, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), the City of Calgary, Truman and Marriott International, who all came out to play on Friday for the hotel’s groundbreaking.
Michael and Violet McGinnis, Elders and cultural leaders of the Tsuut’ina Nation, welcomed the start of construction with a prayer and alluded to the Nation’s long history of involvement with the Calgary Stampede and presence at the nearby Elbow River Camp. They also pointed out the real cost for Calgary’s bold economic momentum — the property will be built on the site of the former Weadickville, which was dismantled in 2025 to make way for the hotel’s construction. As intergenerational tipi owners at Elbow River Camp, they spoke to the importance of the site for First Nations people, who have always been an integral part of the Calgary Stampede.
But this train’s already left the station, and nothing can stop it now.
“In our stewardship of the Rivers District Master Plan and the Culture + Entertainment District, the city’s need for hotels has grown exponentially,” said Kate Thompson, CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation. “The opening of [BMO Centre] has really kick-started the need for more hotel rooms in our district and our city.”
Truman’s $330-million investment in the hotel indicates a bold new direction for the city, one that’s open to substantial private developer interest in Calgary’s culture, arts, and entertainment economies. Here’s everything we learned about the new hotel at the Jan. 9 groundbreaking, and what’s to come for this exciting revitalization project.
Undeniable momentum in culture and entertainment
The momentum in the C&E District has been undeniable, and with the expansion of BMO Centre completed in June 2025, Calgary is committed to attracting new business. The long-term plan for the revitalized Stampede Park includes the construction of four hotels and the hotly anticipated Scotia Place arena and event centre, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2027.
With construction already underway for the new Autograph Collection hotel, it’s clear that stakeholders are keen to move quickly on these upcoming projects. We could see a completely transformed Culture + Entertainment District as soon as 2028.
“It was only seven months ago that we stood here and announced that we were going to build the first hotel on Stampede Park alongside Truman and the Calgary Stampede,” said Thompson. “And now, here we are today, ready to celebrate the start of construction… I will say one thing about Truman — they do not move slowly,” she laughed.
A full-service, convention-oriented hotel
Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede, says that the BMO Centre has already highlighted the city’s growing need to host large-scale conferences. After all, all those visitors to Calgary need somewhere to stay.
“That’s what generates economic impact — bringing people to our city for conferences, conventions and special events,” Cowley said.
The new hotel will be 14 storeys high and “convention-oriented,” with 320 rooms as well as premium lifestyle meeting and ballroom spaces, a rooftop terrace, pool, jacuzzi, and outdoor bar. Other accommodations include a range of elevated food and beverage offerings and a fitness club.
It’ll all be supported by Marriott International’s award-winning hotel service, which was recently recognized with the granting of a second Michelin Key to The Dorian, a Marriott Autograph Collection boutique hotel in downtown Calgary.
“Marriott continues to expand our hospitality options in Canada to meet the diverse needs of guests, owners and developers,” said Tim Reardon, regional vice president at Marriott International. “Calgary has become an incredibly fast-growing market for the hotel industry, and we are delighted to work with Truman, the Calgary Stampede, and CMLC to bring these elevated hotel experiences to Calgary.”
Construction is already underway
Site preparations for the Autograph Collection Hotel began in July 2025, and Calgarians can expect to see increased construction activity in the coming months. There will be occasional closures of Flores LaDue Parade SE to facilitate construction, which will be communicated to visitors. Construction will be delivered and completed by Alberta-owned family business Truman, which has been building in Calgary for the past four decades.
“As family-owned and Alberta-based developers, Truman and Luzon are extremely proud to collaborate with Marriott International, the Calgary Stampede, CMLC, and the City of Calgary to bring this vision to life in the Culture + Entertainment District,” said Trutina.
Strategic investments
The new hotel is an excellent example of what can happen when the public and private sectors come together to support ambitious development projects.
Truman has invested $330 million into the hotel. The construction of BMO Centre was also supported at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels to the tune of $500 million, with the promise of generating economic impact for Calgary and Alberta.
“This is the return on investment we knew would come, and it’s just the beginning,” said Cowley.
This hotel is going to be a serious game-changer for Calgary, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
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Em Medland-Marchen
Em is a Staff Writer for Curiocity Calgary. They are passionate about live music, rose gardens, iced coffee, and walks along the Bow River.
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