At the beginning of the 20th century, the prestigious Alberta Hotel was considered Edmonton’s finest. It was the first four-story building constructed along Jasper Avenue and hosted many notable guests, including Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, who stayed there during the ceremony marking Alberta’s creation. Read on to learn about the hotel’s origins and the significant events connected to it. More on edmonton1.one.
The History of the Alberta Hotel
The Alberta Hotel first opened its doors in 1883, alongside Luke Kelly’s Saloon, a single-story wooden structure on Jasper Avenue. In 1887, Luke Kelly added a two-story extension with hotel rooms and renamed the establishment the Alberta Hotel. Designed by architect James Wise, the hotel underwent another transformation in 1903, with a grand four-story brick and stone building crowned by a corner tower that became a local landmark.
A devastating fire in 1934 destroyed the original structure, but the hotel was rebuilt a year later by Fred Jackson and Del Grierson, costing over $55,000. The new design featured a Victorian style, complete with rounded arched windows, stone voussoirs, and a dome that gave it the appearance of a castle.
The hotel’s most distinctive feature was its 75-foot tower, extending from the main entrance to an observation room on the fifth floor, adorned with rectangular stained-glass windows. The entrance doors were crafted from solid oak, and the tower’s base housed a rotunda with large glass windows. Beyond the rotunda were the dining room, billiards room, and bar.
The Alberta Hotel was the first in Edmonton to feature a passenger elevator, showers, telephones, and a call system allowing guests to communicate with staff. Visitors enjoyed luxurious accommodations, with rooms categorized into suites and standard options. Suites, chosen by affluent guests, came with personal service staff, while standard rooms catered to the middle class.
The Bar and Barber Shop
Historical archives reveal that the Alberta Hotel boasted a famous, elegantly decorated bar with ornate plaster ceilings. It was frequented by notable figures such as Senator Patrick Burns and future Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, who even had his own private table.
In addition to the bar, the hotel housed Edmonton and Calgary’s largest barber shop, accommodating 12 chairs. The barber shop became a gathering spot for local businessmen, who often ended their meetings with drinks in the hotel bar.
A colorful regular at the bar was Jay Wilson, a deaf architect known for interpreting comments as invitations to drink. On one occasion, he attempted to rob the bar with a pistol, only to be thwarted by the bartender, who sprayed him with mineral water, seized the gun, and called the police. The Alberta Hotel’s history is rich with such lively stories.
Closure and Reconstruction
The Alberta Hotel was demolished in 1984 to make way for Canada Place. Efforts were made to preserve components of the original structure. A new five-story building, now home to CKUA Radio, was constructed on the site, incorporating design elements reminiscent of the Alberta Hotel’s interior. Part of this new building is leased to other tenants, ensuring the legacy of the Alberta Hotel lives on.