Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Now, let’s talk about the giant building in front of you. This is Château Laurier, a four-star hotel that opened in 1912 after three years of construction. The project was commissioned in 1907 by Charles Melville Hays, president of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, to build what would become Ottawa’s first hotel. Architect Bradford Gilbert began to construct two years later, not far from Parliament Hill. But the project wasn’t without its challenges. The hotel was to be built on part of Major’s Hill Park, which not everybody supported. The Prime Minister at the time, Wilfrid Laurier, helped secure the necessary land, which explains where the name comes from. Then another problem: the architect was dismissed due to major disagreements with the client. A replacement was needed. The firm Ross and MacFarlane took over the reins, giving the building the Château style that suits it so well today, inspired by the French Renaissance. The hotel was announced to be opened in April 1912, and Charles Melville Hays had planned to come to Canada for the inauguration. He boarded a ship to cross the Atlantic, none other than the Titanic. He never made it. The grand opening was postponed to finally take place in June in a much less joyful athmosphere than expected, with Wilfrid Laurier in attendance. From that moment on, the hotel welcomed personalities from all around the world, such as heads of state, celebrities, and political figures. It became Ottawa’s most prestigious residence and was even nicknamed the “third chamber of Parliament”. Ottawa expanded in the 60-70s, which led to new hotels opening downtown and bringing competition. To maintain its prestige, Château Laurier was renovated in the 1980s, ensuring it remained one of the most luxurious hotels in town. Over 110 years later, it still continues to attract visitors from around the world.