Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District is set for a major boost with the announcement of a new 320-room hotel on Stampede Park. This significant development, a partnership between Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), the Calgary Stampede, and developer Truman, is a direct response to the surging demand for accommodation fueled by the recently expanded BMO Centre.
Contents
Key Takeaways:
- A new 320-room, 13-storey upper-upscale lifestyle boutique hotel will be built on Stampede Park.
- The project is valued at approximately $330 million, representing substantial private investment.
- It’s the first full-service convention-oriented hotel in downtown Calgary in 25 years.
- The hotel is strategically located to serve the expanded BMO Centre and the growing [Culture + Entertainment District].
- Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2025 with completion expected in late 2028.
Partnership Drives Development
As stewards of the [Rivers District Master Plan], CMLC and the Calgary Stampede have actively sought hotel development partners for the past five years. Navigating challenging market conditions, they conducted feasibility studies and engaged with developers before ultimately partnering with Truman.
Truman, an Alberta-based developer with over 40 years of experience in Calgary, has signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Calgary Stampede for the land. This partnership leverages Truman’s local expertise with the strategic vision for Stampede Park and the wider C+E District. An international hotel brand partner is currently being finalized and is expected to be announced in the coming months.
Hotel Features and Offerings
The planned hotel is designed to be a full-service, 13-storey upper-upscale lifestyle boutique property. Situated on an approximately 85,000 sq ft parcel, it will feature:
- Approximately 320 guest rooms.
- 15,000 sq ft of dedicated meeting and ballroom space.
- 14,000 sq ft of diverse food and beverage options, including restaurants, a lobby bar, a coffee shop, and a rooftop lounge offering downtown views.
- A south-facing leisure terrace with an activity pool, jacuzzi, and outdoor bar.
- An indoor swimming pool and fitness club.
This extensive list of amenities is tailored to support the needs of convention-goers, event attendees, and leisure visitors drawn to the district.
Architectural detail or concept showing the design elements of the upscale Truman hotel in Calgary's Culture & Entertainment District.
Why Now? Responding to BMO Centre Growth
The timing of this hotel development is directly linked to the recent expansion of the BMO Centre, which opened in June 2024. Now Western Canada’s largest convention centre, the expanded facility is attracting a significant increase in meetings, conventions, and events, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Stampede Park annually. This influx creates a clear and urgent demand for nearby hotel capacity.
Since its opening, the expanded BMO Centre has already hosted numerous events and has over 200 major events booked through 2032. This activity is projected to generate substantial economic contributions, largely supporting Alberta’s GDP. The new Truman hotel, located steps from the BMO Centre, is strategically positioned to maximize this economic impact and enhance the visitor experience.
Beyond the BMO Centre, the hotel’s location at the west entrance to Stampede Park is central to the burgeoning [Culture + Entertainment District]. It offers convenient access not only to conventions but also to events at the future Scotia Place, concerts, and the iconic Calgary Stampede annual celebration. The opening of the new [17 Ave S.E. extension and Victoria Park/Stampede Station] has further enhanced connectivity to this key site.
Exterior rendering showing the location of the new Truman hotel at the west entrance of Stampede Park, near the BMO Centre.
A $330 Million Vote of Confidence
The estimated $330 million development value underscores the scale of this project and represents a significant private sector investment in the area. It’s a strong indicator of market confidence in the potential of the emerging Culture + Entertainment District and the long-term viability of the expanded BMO Centre as a major convention destination.
This hotel marks the first full-service convention-oriented hotel built in downtown Calgary in 25 years, highlighting the renewed optimism and development momentum in the city’s core. Truman’s commitment is further reinforced by their recent acquisition of another development site within the C+E District, with future plans for that site also in progress.
Rendering of the new Truman hotel on Stampede Park, designed to support BMO Centre convention demand.
What’s Next
With the purchase agreement signed, the project is moving forward. The partnership, working with architectural firms NORR Architecture, Scatliff+Miller+Murray, and CivicWorks, is finalizing design and planning. A development permit submission is anticipated later in June 2024. Site preparation will follow, with construction expected to commence in late 2025. The ambitious project is targeting completion in late 2028.
This new hotel is poised to be a key piece of infrastructure supporting the growth of Calgary’s convention business and the vibrant evolution of the [Culture + Entertainment District]. Its development signals robust confidence in the city’s future as a destination for both business and leisure.
