Few Vancouver landmarks can boast a fascinating history like that of the St. Regis Hotel.

Opened on March 15, 1913, the St. Regis was designed by Canadian WT Whiteway, a leading architect also responsible for the Sun Tower at Pender and Beatty. Envisioned as a one stop destination for lodging, dining and entertainment, the swank property was well-positioned near the new Hudson’s Bay flagship as a top retreat for travelers to the young coastal metropolis. The hotel was an immediate hit and business thrived as the young city grew, until the Great Depression brought significant downturn in the local and international economies.

The war years were a boon to the lumber and shipbuilding industries, and the city came alive again with visitors from all areas of business and society. In the early 40’s, under the ownership of local businessman and sports enthusiast Coleman Hall, the St. Regis was fondly known as the Sportsman’s Hotel. Top NHL athletes, including NY Ranger player and coach Muzz Patrick, and the Habs’ Maurice “Rocket” Richard, made the hotel their home away from home. Hall was such an avid hockey fan he built the Vancouver St. Regis hockey team. The team competed in the Pacific Coast Hockey League from 1942 – 1944, where local hockey legend and Hall of Famer Cyclone Taylor was the inaugural president. “Coley” Hall would go on the be the first owner of the Vancouver Canucks.

In the decades following the post-war boom, while the city grew and changed, the historic St. Regis endured, continuing to welcome sports stars, celebrities and ordinary folks to the heart of the downtown business district.

In the early 2000’s the hotel was purchased by the Macdonald family, with a vision to marry its proud heritage with a contemporary, big city aesthetic. To celebrate the 100th anniversary milestone in 2008, the St. Regis underwent an extensive multi million-dollar renovation. Top to bottom, no detail was spared as the hotel was lovingly refreshed. A true boutique property with 65 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, state of the art AV and business amenities, and proximity to world-class dining, shopping and cultural attractions, the St. Regis is a rare Vancouver gem.