If approved, the 250-room hotel would be powered by renewable energy
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A new proposal for Vancouver is addressing an “urgent need” for more hotel rooms by taking to the water.
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Finnish developer Sunborn International Holding (SBIH) is proposing a 250-room floating hotel for the city. Built in partnership with the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (VHFC), it is being billed as a world-class hospitality venue that will bring jobs and economic growth.
If approved, the hotel would be powered by renewable energy.
“The new floating hotel will be a jewel for the crown of Vancouver’s waterfront,” VHFC chairman Graham Clarke predicted. “The new property will contribute to the urgent need for hotel rooms in Vancouver in an innovative and effective way, with no permanent footprint or environmental ramifications, adding new public spaces, viewpoints, cafés and restaurants to Vancouver’s vibrant waterfront.”
It will connect to the Vancouver Convention Centre’s infrastructure and operate like a normal building on land, the developers said, with no discharge into the harbour.
Sunborn CEO Hans Niemi said the privately funded project — tipped to open in 2027 — would create more than 200 jobs and blend “seamlessly” into the landscape.
For Ken Cretney, of the Vancouver Convention Centre, it can’t come soon enough. “Vancouver is facing a significant shortage of hotel rooms and we are excited to see the proposal to develop a unique hotel property on the waterfront,” he said.
“The new hotel will enhance the destination and generate not only economic impact, but also community benefit.”
Royce Chwin, president of Destination Vancouver, said: “In our view, a bespoke floating hotel development would enhance our waterfront and we look forward to working with Sunborn and their partners in promoting this new attraction and hotel to our global visitors.”