July 27, 2006

ATLIFIC

The six-storey atrium will be the focal point in the massive renovation of the former Roxboro Hotel in Ottawa. It will reopen as the Hotel Indigo Ottawa this fall.

Hotel Construction

Fall opening likely for Indigo Hotel Ottawa

The central core of the old Roxboro was gutted to create a massive atrium

IRWIN RAPOPORT

correspondent

MONTREAL

Renovations are nearly complete at the Hotel Indigo Ottawa, a boutique hotel that features a six-storey atrium and light-filled indoor courtyard.

The $10 million renovation at the former Roxboro Hotel, a six-storey building constructed in the early 1900s, took two-and-a-half years to complete.

The 106-room hotel in Ottawa’s central business district, managed by Atlific Hotels & Resorts, is expected to open in October.

“We started from scratch,” said John C. Dunn, Atlific’s vice president, sales and marketing. “We ripped out the entire middle of the building and created an inner courtyard where the front desk is located. There is a giant atrium at the top, and all the natural light comes down through the hotel. Before the renovation, the hotel was dark and dingy. This opens up the whole place.”

Calling it a “heavy-duty construction,” Dunn said the four outside walls were retained.

“We’ve blown out a few of the old rooms to make bigger rooms and suites.”

The old design had a smaller skylight, which was replaced with one that is 50 feet wide and 100 feet in length.

The courtyard eliminated many rooms and prompted a major upgrade of the HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.

“This was a major part of the renovation cost,” said Dunn.

ATLIFIC

The original exterior of Ottawa’s Indigo Hotel has been preserved in an effort to celebrate its place among other heritage buildings.

“Also to consider with these old buildings is they have to be seismic-proof to meet new standards. We did this with the Gazette building in Montreal. (See story in tomorrow’s edition of Daily Commercial News.) We had to re-brace the building.

“We have to upgrade these older buildings,” he added. “If building from scratch, it’s a lot easier because the building code is already built into the architecture.”

The hotel is part of the new “branded boutique” concept launched by InterContinental in 2004, uniquely designed to appeal to style-savvy, lifestyle-focused guests who desire affordable luxury, genuine service and an alternative to traditional hotels.

The targeted market is 35 to 55-year-old travellers. Guestrooms feature hardwood floors, bright colours, spa-inspired showers and signature murals.

The hotel has two meeting rooms for maximum seating of 80 people, a full fitness centre complete with indoor swimming pool and a street level restaurant.

Atlific increased its Ontario assets in March 2005 when it opened the 137-room Residence Inn by Marriott at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, at a cost of $16 million. Located at 17 Reading Court (near the junction of Atwell Drive and Dixon Road), the nine-storey hotel features two meeting rooms, indoor pool, hot tub and exercise room.

“With Atlific already operating both the Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Airport and the Carlingview Airport Inn, the Residence Inn by Marriott is a natural fit into the area,” commented Kelly Anne Yeaman, Atlific’s area general manager.

“It has increased Marriott’s presence in the airport hotel market.”

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