Edmonton airport’s new Renaissance Hotel Building goes upscale during construction – creating unique challenges for builder and trades Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature Edmonton will soon be home to Canada’s third Ren- aissance hotel and the only Renaissance in the world di- rectly linked to an airport terminal. The Renaissance, a Marriott brand, will have 213 rooms on eight floors, including a 1,200 sq. ft. presiden- tial suite, 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a private club floor with club lounge, and the HALO (an acronym for High Altitude Low Octane) restaurant, which will serve upscale comfort food created by local celebrity chef An- drew Ihasz. Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel sales director John Hollman says the Renaissance brand focuses on lifestyle. “The hotel will be trendy and modern with fresh flowers in the lobby and unique features in the rooms,” he said. “Valet service at the entrance, a concierge to 20 – Spring 2013 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report help people find hidden gems within the city, and a cal- endar of live music and events are just some of the fea- tures that make this brand special.” The property is owned by Platinum Investments Ltd. The building had originally been slated to open as a Courtyard by Marriott but part way through construction the owners decided to change to the more upscale brand. Michael Goldsmith, president of Goldsmith Consult- ing Design Associates (GCD), said the change has cre- ated some challenges, including keeping trades engaged and the question of what to do with already-manufac- tured supplies. “Construction began on this in late 2011 and by Au- gust 2012 the shell was completed in less than 10 months,” he said. “The changeover to Renaissance came after that.”